NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Feb. 25, 2008, Vol. 38, No. 74
For further information, contact Roy Miller, Fisheries, 302-739-9914, or Jeff Tinsman, 302-739-4782, or Joanna C. Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Public Hearing on Shark Fishery
Management Plan to Be Held March 11
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a joint public hearing to gather comments on the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at the Ocean City Airport Conference Room, 12724 Airport Road in Berlin, Md.
Created by the federal Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the draft plan addresses the management of 39 species of sharks found along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida. Proposed management measures for state recreational and commercial shark fisheries cover permitted species, regions, seasons, quotas, possession limits, size limits, closures and restrictions on certain species, protection of nursing and pupping grounds, authorized gear, dealer reporting, research, display, mortality reduction, finning and bycatch reduction.
Several species of sharks can be found in Delaware’s coastal waters. The four most common are: the spiny dogfish (currently under federal regulation), the smooth dogfish (not regulated), the sand tiger shark (harvest prohibited) and the sandbar shark, which are considered a species of concern due to overfishing, according to Delaware Fisheries Administrator Roy Miller.
“This plan focuses on stock rebuilding and management of the shark fishery, species by species. It defines shark habitat and what needs to be done to protect the areas where sharks live and reproduce,” Miller said. “To help meet these goals, the plan seeks to coordinate state management practices along the Atlantic Coast and establish complementary state and federal management. Delaware regulations already mirror federal regulations, but some states do not. Working together is a vital step toward helping these species rebound and thrive,” he added.
Fishermen and other interested parties are encouraged to share input on the plan, by attending the public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the draft plan can be obtained at http://www.asmfc.org under “Breaking News” or by contacting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission at 202-289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, March 28, and may be sent to Chris Vonderweidt, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005, faxed to 202-289-6051 or emailed to comments@asmfc.org.