From the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service:

This proposed rule would establish the 2007 second and third trimester season quotas for large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks based on over-or underharvests from the 2006 second and third trimester seasons. In addition, this rule proposes the opening and closing dates for the large coastal shark fishery based on adjustments to the trimester quotas. Public hearings will be held on March 22 in Orlando, FL, and on March 28 in Manteo, NC.

Currently, the Atlantic shark annual quotas, with the exception of pelagic sharks, are split among three regions based on historic landings (1999-2003). The regional quotas for large coastal sharks and small coastal sharks are then divided equally between the trimester seasons in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, and according to historical landings in the North Atlantic. Any over-or underharvest in a given region from the 2006 second and third trimester seasons is carried over to the 2007 second and third trimester seasons in that region.

Comments on the proposed quotas may be sent to SF1.021307B@noaa.gov through March 28, 2007. For more information, contact LeAnn.Southward-Hogan@noaa.gov.

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