Draft Amendment 5 to the Consolidated HMS Plan for Management of Atlantic Sharks

The National Marine Fisheries Service recently introduced Draft Amendment 5 to the Consolidated HMS Plan for Management of Atlantic Sharks.

The amendment includes measures to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks of several species, including Sandbar, dusky, Atlantic blacknose, and scalloped hammerhead sharks.

If approved, the amendment could impact fishermen who use pelagic or bottom longline gear, recreational fishermen who catch sharks of any species, and dealers who buy or sell sharks or shark products.

Comments on the amendment are being accepted through February 5, 2013.

For more information go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ or contact Peter Cooper at peter.cooper@noaa.gov  or 301-427-8503.

source: NOAA Fisheries