FWC ADDS TO SHARK PROHIBITED LIST

February 2, 2006
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554

Several species of sharks will receive better protection under rules approved Thursday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The Commission designated 13 shark species as “prohibited species,” which will help reduce fishing mortality on certain sharks believed to be rare or in need of further protection. The Commission acted to reduce fishing mortality on these sharks to rebuild the spawning stock and prevent these important resources from becoming endangered.

The new rule also will make Florida’s shark rules more consistent with existing federal regulations.
Old FWC rules include a “protected species” list of nine sharks, rays and sawfishes. This designation protects these species by prohibiting their harvest, landing, possession, purchase or sale due to concerns about their vulnerability to depletion.

New FWC rules renamed this list “prohibited species,” and added 13 species: Atlantic angel shark, bigeye sixgill shark, bigeye thresher shark, bignose shark, Caribbean reef shark, dusky shark, Galapagos shark, longfin mako shark, narrowtooth shark, night shark, sevengill shark, sixgill shark, and smalltail shark.

These shark rule amendments take effect in March.

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