In Brazil, a two-year study, completed in December 1998, showed a decrease of 14 com in the average total length of blue sharks caught by longliners and landed in Itajai. In despite of the entry into force of this regulation, its enforcement has been proven to be difficult and probably will require international financial aid, trained personnel for sampling work along the main fishing harbours and the establishment of a national observer program. Costa Rica Pelagic fishery resources were evaluated in 1992 in Costa Rica's EEZ and sharks, among other fish were found to be abundant. Recently, however, longlining activity in the Cost Rica EEZ has resulted in the depletion of fish stocks. This has lead to further expansion into international waters, with some boats traveling as far as Chile.
Fishermen admit that they go either to the Cocos Island or the Galapagos Island to catch sharks.
It is also now responsible for wide spread fishing in the waters of other countries-at times in violation of local laws. The northeast Atlantic and surrounding seas are some of the most heavily fished areas in the world. The major shark fishing nations of the region are France, the UK, Norway, Portugal and Spain. There are also fleets from Russian, Japan and South Korea. Shark catches are comparatively higher in this part of the Atlantic than in others.