Amendment 11 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan: Atlantic Shortfin Mako Sharks
Summary
On February 21, 2019 (84 FR 5358), NOAA Fisheries published the final rule for Amendment 11 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. The management measures for Amendment 11 included, among other things:
- Allowed the retention of shortfin mako sharks caught with longline or gillnet gear by persons issued a shark Directed or Incidental LAP only if the shark is dead at haulback; Retention of dead shortfin mako sharks with pelagic longline gear is allowed only if there is a functional electronic monitoring system on board the vessel;
- Established the foundation for developing an international rebuilding plan for shortfin mako sharks;
- Established the minimum size limit for the retention of shortfin mako sharks from 54 inches FL to 71 inches FL (180 cm FL) for male shortfin mako sharks and 83 inches FL (210 cm FL) for female shortfin mako sharks; and
- Required the use of circle hooks for recreational shark fishing.
