Budget cuts and the potential stripping of marine protection in our National Marine Sanctuaries is an imminent threat to over fifty years of wildlife and habitat in the USA.
Shark Stewards urges you to contact your congressman and support NOAA and our National Marine Sanctuaries.
Read MoreShark Stewards has joined 377 organizations and businesses nationwide have joined together to urge Congress to oppose actions by the Trump administration to dismantle, privatize, or significantly diminish the critical services and functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Read MoreThe Hawai’i HB661 bill can bypass permitting requirements for wild fish collection. The hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, February 27, at 2:00 pm (HST), in the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs. As with the Senate bill, this version (HB661) is a dangerous bill that would also entirely gut the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) by allowing potentially destructive activities to continue during any required environmental review.
Read MoreA new bill has been introduced in the US Congress that would amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. The Act protects US marine habitat, underwater natural resources and cultural heritage treasures, and empowers community input on the use of our national marine sanctuaries.
Read MoreJan 30, 2025 “As a lifelong fisherman, I have seen firsthand the impact of shark depredation on our marine ecosystem and the sportfishing community,” said Congressman Wittman (R,VA). This point […]
Read MoreAs a U.S. nongovernmental organization Shark Stewards will attend CoP20 as a participant advancing the Oceanic Whitetip shark, Whale shark and Gulper Sharks. In addition we will be advancing the proposal with Mexico to increase Hammerhead sharks to Appendix I: the highest level of protection for trade available.
Read MoreIn a public hearing August 20-21 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted hearings seeking comments on a proposed rule to extend protective regulations for threatened oceanic whitetip sharks under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act. The public can submit comments on the rule until Sept. 15.
Read MoreThe Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is moving forward with their plan to re-open West Hawaiʻi to commercial aquarium collection (AQ) on behalf of the mainland businesses that sell wildlife for aquariums. They will ask the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to approve it on August 23.
Read MoreNOAA National Marine Fisheries is Considering Rule Changes to the ESA to Increase Protection for the Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Read MoreAt the IATTC Shark Stewards Director David McGuire addressed the forum on the plight of oceanic whitetip sharks and posed the solution offered by the Hawai’i Longline Association and Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission’s move to swap out wire leaders for monofilament so that captured sharks can bite free, while the target species of swordfish and tuna are still retained.
Read More