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Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
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Atlantic Highly Migratory Species


Introduction

Sharks are a valuable part of marine ecosystems and NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving shark populations.

Most sharks are vulnerable to overfishing because they are long-lived, take many years to mature, and only have a few young at a time. Recovery from overfishing can take years or decades for many shark species. Therefore, sharks need conservation and NOAA Fisheries is conducting research, implementing restrictions and working with fisherman domestically, and pursuing international conservation. These steps will ensure that those shark populations that are healthy remain so and those shark populations that are overfished recover.

It's The Ocean, Not A Swimming Pool

Image of a shark

Shark Fact Sheets

Shark Management

Shark Science

Most Commonly
Encountered Species

White Sharks

Tiger Sharks

Blacktip Sharks

Bull Sharks

Frequently Asked
Questions

Reducing Risk of Shark Attack

Links for More Information About Sharks

Visual identification guide of fins from common elasmobranchs in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Research/Science

Tagging

Attacks

Domestic Management

International Management

Identification

General Education

Research/Science

NMFS Apex Predators Program in Narragansett, RI - biology, migration, habitat, tagging

NMFS Shark Research in LaJolla, CA - biology, population assessment, genetics, habitat, tagging

American Elasmobranch Society - professional society of shark researchers, managers The previous link is an external site.

American Fisheries Society - policy statement on management of sharks and their relatives The previous link is an external site.

Mote Marine Laboratory Center for Shark Research - research, education, and conservation The previous link is an external site.

University of Florida - biology, attacks, data collection, fishery descriptions The previous link is an external site.

Moss Landing Marine Lab - biology, migration, tagging, fishery descriptions The previous link is an external site.

Panama City Laboratory Shark Population Assessment Group

Tagging

NMFS Apex Predators Program in Narragansett, RI

Attacks

International Shark Attack File The previous link is an external site.

Domestic Management

U.S. NPOA report - National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks

NMFS Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Sharks, Tunas, Billfish, Swordfish) page - Atlantic management of sharks, fishing regulations

NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center - fishery observer programs, stock assessments, logbook programs The previous link is an external site.

NMFS Southwest Regional Office Highly Migratory Species page - Pacific management of sharks

NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center - fisheries research, links to NMFS field offices

University of Florida commercial shark fishery observer program The previous link is an external site.

International Management

NMFS International Fisheries Division page - international agreements, NOAA Fisheries initiatives

FAO IPOA - International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks The previous link is an external site.

ICCAT - International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, shark bycatch data The previous link is an external site.

ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea - shark research, data collection The previous link is an external site.

NAFO - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization - shark research, data collection The previous link is an external site.

APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - shark research, data collection, shark survey The previous link is an external site.

Identification

Guide to Sharks, Tunas & Billfishes of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico - COMING SUMMER 2002
A Field Guide to the Sharks Commonly Caught in Commercial Fisheries of the Southern United States

General Education

Tales of Whales, Turtles, Sharks, and Snails: An elementary level education handbook

NMFS Apex Predators Program in Narragansett, RI - biology, migration, habitat, tagging

University of Florida - biology, attacks, data collection, fishery descriptions The previous link is an external site.

Mote Marine Laboratory Center for Shark Research - research, education, and conservation The previous link is an external site.

National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD The previous link is an external site.

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