The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability of a shark identification placard for recreational fishermen. This placard provides information on the shark species that can be legally retained by recreational anglers in federal waters ofthe Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.

Please note that recreational vessels must possess a valid Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permit to fish for sharks. Additionally, federally pennitted recreational vessels must comply with federal HMS regulations, regardless of where they are fishing unless a state has more restrictive regulations. In that case, the fishermen must follow the more restrictive regulations.

Copies of this placard can be downloaded from the Atlantic HMS website at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ or by following this link.