NOAA Fisheries Service is proposing that commercial and recreational fishing for sandbar sharks be significantly reduced and limited to only those commercial vessels that take part in a shark research program. This proposal is open to public comment.

"Because sandbar sharks as well as dusky sharks have been severely depleted, we must take strong measures to stop overfishing and allow these species to rebuild," said Dr. William T. Hogarth, director of NOAA Fisheries Service. "Even with these measures, it will take a long time to rebuild the population of these sharks because of their unique biology."

Sandbar and dusky sharks, like other shark species, mature late, grow slowly and produce relatively few young. This makes them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. NOAA banned the fishing of dusky sharks in 2000, after stock assessments showed severe depletion.

There are approximately 529 commercial fishing permits for shark fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Sandbar sharks, because of their large fins, are the most valuable species among the large coastal sharks. The fins are considered a delicacy and are a main ingredient in ethnic food dishes such as shark fin soup.

The proposed amendment to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan would reduce the quota for sandbar sharks by 80 percent as part of the rebuilding plan. The measures would help NOAA Fisheries meet the Congressional mandate of the newly reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to end all overfishing.

NOAA Fisheries would also establish a shark research fishery of between five and 10 vessels that could land sandbar and other sharks. The vessels would have observers on board and meet other criteria to be part of the program. The research would be designed to gain more information about the status, mobility, migration, habitat, ecology, and age and growth characteristics of sandbar sharks.

Other measures in the proposed amendment are the closing of some areas to shark fishing as recommended by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; establishing a limit per trip on the amount of other large coastal sharks a fishermen can keep; requiring that fins be attached to any shark that is commercially landed; and reducing the shark species that recreational fishermen can keep.

During the months of August and September, NOAA Fisheries Service will hold several hearings along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico to gather public comments on the proposed amendment. The schedule follows:

• Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 6:00 - 8:50 p.m. Manahawkin Public Library 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
• Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. SEFSC, Panama City Laboratory 3500 Delwood Beach Drive, Panama City, FL 32408
• Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Bayou Black Recreational Center 3688 Southdown Mandalay Road, Houma, LA 70360
• Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. City of Madeira Beach 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
• Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fort Pierce Library 101 Melody Lane, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
• Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Ocean Pines Public Library 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, MD 21811
• Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. University of Texas, Marine Science Institute Visitor's Center, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Islamorada Public Library 81500 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
• Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Manteo Town Hall 407 Budleigh Street, Manteo, NC 27954
• Monday, Sept. 17 5:30 8:30 p.m. Portsmouth Public Library 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, NH