August 11, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries ensures that United States fisheries are some of the most sustainable in the world, including sharks. Of the 479 fish stocks or stock complexes we manage, 43 are shark species in the Atlantic Ocean. Here we’ve broken down our management approach into six steps:
Step One: Research
Scientists spend months at sea and in the lab every year, collecting vital data on different marine species, including sharks. Shark research is conducted on NOAA’s fleet of research ships, or through its cooperative research programs. That’s where NOAA researchers work in conjunction with university scientists, the fishing industry, or other stakeholders to perform research activities. To see some of our shark research in the Atlantic, click below:
- Shark Research at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center
- Shark Research at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Step Two: Assessment
Using the data collected about shark stocks, our scientists in coordination with other scientists and partners complete a stock assessment to measure the impact of fishing on these stocks. Assessments use the best information available, which may include data from fisheries landings, scientific surveys, and biological studies. They predict catch levels that maximize the number of fish that can be caught every year while preventing overfishing (removing too many fish). These limits protect the marine ecosystem and, where necessary, rebuild overfished (depleted) stocks. Results of stock assessments are used for setting sustainable levels of fishing under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.