Proposed Atlantic Shark Regulation Changes Spark Conservation Concern

The Trump administration has asked NOAA Fisheries to revise Atlantic shark rules, raising recreational catch limits and changing size thresholds. Hammerhead limits would shift from one per trip at >=78 inches to up to three (or no limit) with a minimum of 115 inches. A 54-inch minimum would apply to blue shark, common thresher and porbeagle, although females mature at 75, 85 and 86 inches. Protections for the endangered blacknose shark would also be altered.

The Independent

Scientists say the Atlantic blacknose shark has dropped by more than half in 25 years, and a recent assessment placed one-third of all sharks and rays at risk of extinction. Ocean warming has shifted shark distributions, making monitoring harder. Overfishing by trawlers and recreational gear continues to pressure vulnerable stocks, while many species still lack formal stock assessments.

The Independent

NOAA Fisheries pointed to publicly released rule information, opened a 10-day comment window, and said a final rule is due later this year. Atlantic fishermen claim an overabundance of sharks hampers their catches, but provide no data. Conservation groups—including Shark Advocates International, the Center for Biological Diversity, Shark Stewards, Save Our Seas Foundation and Oceana—call the draft insufficiently science-based and potentially harmful.

The Independent

Blacknose shark numbers have fallen over 50 percent, yet the draft raises catch quotas for hammerhead, blue shark, common thresher and porbeagle without new assessments. Proposed 54-inch minimum sizes for blue shark, thresher and porbeagle are below female maturity at 75, 85 and 86 inches. The New York Aquarium notes these limits “are still well below the age at maturity for most species.” Fishermen’s overabundance claim conflicts with scientific evidence, and the West Coast blacknose stock remains “unclear.”

The Independent

• “We are concerned that the proposal creates opportunities for fishermen to kill significantly more sharks without providing any added protection to the most vulnerable species,” — Sonja Fordham, President, Shark Advocates International

The Independent

• “This is just a bad idea,” — Sarah Uhlemann, International Program Director, Center for Biological Diversity

The Independent

• “This is another example of the weakening regulations on behalf of commercial fishing interests in the absence of science,” — David McGuire, Director, Shark Stewards

The Independent

• “Many of the shark species affected by this proposal are already vulnerable, and scientists still do not have enough information about some of their populations,” — Alex Aines, Marine Scientist, Oceana

The Independent

The public comment period stays open for ten days. After reviewing submissions, NOAA will issue the final rule later this year. Conservation groups say they will monitor implementation and may pursue legal action if protections are weakened.

The Independent