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(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association December 2002 Newsletter)
In 2002 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) announced the availability of new coastal shark (LCS) and small coastal shark (SCS) stock assessments. The results for the LCS complex indicate that over‑fishing could still be occurring and the resource may be overfished. However, for sandbar sharks, the stock assessment indicates that, while overfishing could be occurring, current biomass could be near, or somewhat above, maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Additionally, the stock assessment for blacktip sharks indicates that no reduction in catch is needed to maintain the stock at current levels and that some increase may be sustainable in the long term. The 2002 stock assessment of SCS in the U.S. and Gulf of Mexico indicates that the current level of removals is sustainable for the SCS aggregate. However, recent fishing mortality of fine tooth sharks, exceeds the fishing mortality at MSY, indicating overfishing is occurring for this species.
Based on the 2002 stock assessments, NOAA Fisheries believes the implementation of new management measures via an amendment to the highly migratory species (HMS) fishery management plan (FMP) is necessary to rebuild or prevent overfishing of Atlantic sharks. In the short term, NOAA Fisheries is preparing an interim rule to be effective January 1, 2003. Interested parties should expect to see a proposed rule shortly.
As part of the process to amend the HMS FMP, NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on Management options for this action. Specifically, NOAA Fisheries requests comments on commercial
management , including but not limited to, quota levels, regional and seasonal quotas, trip limits, minimum sizes, applying dead discards and state landings after a Federal closure to the quota, counting quota over and underages, and fishery closure and opening notices. In addition, NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on recreational management options including retention limits, minimum sizes, authorized gear, and landing requirements. NOAA Fisheries also seeks comment regarding deep water and prohibited shark species, display quotas, time/area closures and the organization of species groupings.
NOAA Fisheries will hold at least one public scoping meeting (to be announced) and consider written comments to determine the scope of issues to be addressed. NOAA Fisheries intends to publish an Issues and Options paper summarizing the different options under consideration and will announce the availability of this document at a later date.
This FAX notice is a courtesy to Atlantic Shark Fisheries interests to keep you informed about your fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register. For further information contact Karyl Brewster‑Geisz, Kimberly Marshall, or Heather Stirratt at (301) 713‑2347.