NOAA to Hold Regional Public Meetings on Possible Management Measures for Sharks

NOAA Fisheries has published a series of combined regional meetings on an Atlantic swordfish proposed rule and scoping meetings on potential shark management measures. The proposed rule on Atlantic swordfish would provide a reasonable opportunity for U.S. vessels to more fully harvest the domestic North Atlantic swordfish quota. Comments received at these hearings will assist NOAA in selecting management measures to more fully utilize the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)-recommended quota for North Atlantic swordfish, in recognition of this stock’s improved status.

The scoping meetings on potential shark management measures will review the results of recent stock assessments conducted for large coastal, blacktip, sandbar, porbeagle, and dusky sharks, and provide an opportunity for the public to comment on possible changes to shark management measures. NOAA Fisheries needs to consider changes to current shark management measures through an amendment to the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. The combined public hearings will take place January 17-31, 2007, in Madeira Beach, FL; Fort Pierce, FL; Destin, FL; Manteo, NC; Houma, LA; Gloucester, MA; and Manahawkin, NJ.

NOAA to Hold Regional Public Meetings on Possible Management Measures for Sharks and Swordfish

NOAA Fisheries has published a series of combined regional meetings on an Atlantic swordfish proposed rule and scoping meetings on potential shark management measures. The proposed rule on Atlantic swordfish would provide a reasonable opportunity for U.S. vessels to more fully harvest the domestic North Atlantic swordfish quota. Comments received at these hearings will assist NOAA in selecting management measures to more fully utilize the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)-recommended quota for North Atlantic swordfish, in recognition of this stock’s improved status.

The scoping meetings on potential shark management measures will review the results of recent stock assessments conducted for large coastal, blacktip, sandbar, porbeagle, and dusky sharks, and provide an opportunity for the public to comment on possible changes to shark management measures. NOAA Fisheries needs to consider changes to current shark management measures through an amendment to the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. The combined public hearings will take place January 17-31, 2007, in Madeira Beach, FL; Fort Pierce, FL; Destin, FL; Manteo, NC; Houma, LA; Gloucester, MA; and Manahawkin, NJ.