NOAA Considers New Rule to Increase Protection Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

In 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.

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“Depredation” US Representatives Introduce SHARKED Act

The SHARKED Act sponsors widely represent the fishing industry including fishing guides and tournament organizers, who decry the partial or loss of their catch to a shark. The evidence that there is an increase in shark’s taking fish is anecdotal and not quantified.
Tell the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries to base decisions on Science and Management, Not Emotion.

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NOAA seeks public comment on Chumash Heritage sanctuary draft proposal

Following input from tribal nations, state and federal agencies, conservationists and the public, NOAA has released a proposal to designate a 5,617-square-mile area offshore of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in central California as Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

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Recreational Fishermen Catch Protected Sharks

On January 18, a young angler in Florida received the surprise of his life by catching a protected white shark and widespread news coverage benefits fishermen targeting protected sharks that take advantage of loopholes. Shark Stewards urges the Florida Fish and Willdife Conservation Commission to close loopholes allowing commercial charters to benefit by targeting protected sharks for sport and impact endangered and threatened sharks.

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History of Human Occupation on the Farallon islands

Looking west on a clear San Francisco day a smudge of jagged peaks can be glimpsed on edge of the horizon. A rugged archipelago of wind and wave-worn rocks form the Farallon Island chain. Located 30 miles from shore, Farallones composed of SE Farallones (the tallest), Middle Rock, the Island of St James to the North, and Noon Day rock, the islands host a history of shipwreck, murder and the birth of millions of seabirds and seals. Known as the islands of the Dead by the native Miwok, who viewed them but did not leave any evidence of visitation, the islands have a rich and sometimes tragic history of human occupation.

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Petition to Protect Great Hammerhead Sharks Under Endangered Species Act

Shark Stewards joins the Center for Biological Diversity calling for increased protection for Great Hammerhead Sharks under the ESA and in their complete range. We are also asking NMFS to support the motion to uplist this species and the scalloped hammerhead to Appendix I at the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species in Panama, 2022.

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