On November 19th the Trump Administration has published a proposal by US Fish and Wildlife to roll back Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections, specifically focusing on the removal of the “blanket rule” and its impact on threatened shark species. The public has a December 22nd deadline to comment to prevent the ESA from being weekend.
Read MoreSHARKED Act in Senate Committee- Act Now
Reintroduced into the House in spring 2024, the Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 is supported by the recreational fishing industry and lobby bemoaning shark depredation on their catch. The bill could could have serious impacts on shark populations in all US waters. While ostensibly having Congress create a task force to examine shark depredation and human interactions, it has the potential to open protected areas or fishing for sharks. Without little scientific merit or credible support, the SHARKED Act language is a thinly veiled approach to open fishing on protected species and greenlight shark culls, tournaments and sportfishing for sharks in US waters.
Read MoreExecutive Order Threatens Sharks, US Coral Reefs
On April 17, President Trump issued an executive order would open large U.S.- marine protected areas to commercial fishing. The order authorized the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and US Fish and Wildlife Service to implement US-based fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. The proclamation threatens Pacific Island heritage, endangered species, and some of the healthiest coral reefs and marine ecosystems in the world.
Read MoreDefending US Marine Protected Areas
The islands and reefs of the USA Pacific Marine National Monuments are some of the most remote and healthiest protected coral-reef marine ecosystems in USA waters, even the world. These large, rich, biodiverse marine ecosystems have been protected for nearly two decades under 4 presidents of both parties. These marine protected areras are now at risk to being opened to commercial fishing interests under executive orders by the Trump Administration.
Read MoreSay No to Deep Sea Mining in American Samoa Waters
Please take 2 minutes to submit comments to the Dept. of Interior to STOP deep sea mining in American Samoan waters.
Read MoreStrengthening Global Protection for Critically Endangered Sharks at CITES
Sharks are facing an unprecedented crisis. According to recent studies, more than 37% of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, with this figure rising to a staggering 70% for species involved in international trade. These statistics underscore the critical importance of strengthening global protections for these vulnerable marine predators.
Read MoreSupport Increasing International Protection for Endangered Sharks at CITES CoP20
As 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 MoreSanctuaries and NOAA in Peril
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 Joins Nationwide Coalition to Support NOAA
Shark 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 MoreAction: Hawai’i Wild Fish Aquarium Trade Permitting
The 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 More