2022 Shortfin Mako Shark Regulations - Atlantic HMS

Shortfin Mako Shark

Major changes have been implemented for shortfin mako sharks along the Atlantic coast for the 2022 fishing season. 

NOAA Fisheries recently announced a change to shortfin mako shark retention limits in Federal waters, effective on July 5, 2022.  According to NOAA, a public notice pertaining to state waters will follow soon. 

The final rule establishes a shortfin mako shark retention limit of zero in the commercial and recreational Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries, consistent with the management measure adopted in 2021 by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

If ICCAT provides for U.S. harvest in the future, NOAA Fisheries could increase the shortfin mako shark retention limit, based on regulatory criteria and the amount of retention allowed by ICCAT. Until that happens, the retention limit will remain at zero.

The rule affects:

Any commercial fishermen with HMS permits

Any recreational fishermen with HMS permits

Any dealers who buy or sell sharks or shark products

To comply with this rule, commercial and recreational fishermen (including those fishing in tournaments or on for-hire vessels) with HMS permits must release any shortfin mako sharks captured while the retention limit is zero, whether the shark is dead or alive at haulback.

NOAA Fisheries will notify the public of any change to the commercial and/or recreational shortfin mako shark retention limit via Federal Register notice and email. Fishermen must continue to follow other relevant fishery regulations, which are summarized in the Atlantic HMS compliance guides.