Atlantic Shark Commercial
Fishery Landings and
Retention Limit Update from January 1 – October 23, 2017
The following are preliminary landings estimates in metric tons (mt) and
pounds (lb) dressed weight (dw) for the Atlantic shark commercial fisheries; 1 mt is equal to 2,204.6 pounds. These preliminary estimates are based on
dealer reports and other information received from January 1 through October 23,
2017. The estimates include
landings by state-only permitted vessels, federally permitted vessels, and the 2017
shark research fishery participants. We provide
percentages of landings instead of estimated landings where needed to continue
ensuring participant confidentiality. The
fishing seasons for all shark management groups opened on January 1, 2017, except
for the aggregated LCS, blacktip shark, and hammerhead shark management groups
in the western Gulf of Mexico sub-region which opened on February 1, 2017.
Gulf of Mexico Region
-
Includes any landings south and west 25°
20.4’ N. long.
-
As of 10/23/2017, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 45 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per
vessel per trip in the eastern Gulf of Mexico sub-region and no retention of
large coastal sharks in the western Gulf of Mexico sub-region*.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change
throughout the season.
 * Fishery
closed at 11:30 p.m. local time on May 2, 2017 (82 FR 20447).
Atlantic Region
-
Includes any landings north of 25°
20.4’ N. lat.
-
As of 10/23/2017, the
retention limit for directed permit holders is 36 large coastal sharks other than
sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit
holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip*.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change
throughout the season.
 * NMFS implemented a retention limit of 8 blacknose shark per vessel per
trip on January 13, 2017 (81 FR 90241; December 12, 2016). NMFS increased the retention limit of large
coastal sharks other than sandbar for all directed permit holders on July 16,
2017 (82 FR 32490; July 14, 2017).
No Regional Quotas
 Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
 *Blacktip
shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of Mexico Region
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic
Region
NMFS will announce closures of management groups when
landings reach or are projected to reach 80 percent of the quota. Management groups that are quota linked close
when landings of either of the linked management groups reach or are projected
to reach 80 percent of the quota.
This
notice is a courtesy to the HMS fishery participants to help keep you informed
about the fishery. For further information on this
landings update, contact Karyl Brewster-Geisz or Guý DuBeck at 301-427-8503.
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