We support the implementation of minimum size limits for all sharks. We encourage NMFS to initiate a species identification program for all shark fishermen. We suggest that an economic assessment be made on the impact of the tournament, charter boat and marina industries before the preferred option of eliminating the recreational landings of coastal sharks is adopted. Blue Sharks are an important recreational shark in the mid-Atlantic and a small recreational take should be allowed which can be managed through a high minimum size. It is difficult for both commercial and recreational fishermen to distinguish duskies from sand bar sharks.
Most dusky mortality is a result of bycatch in the longline fishery.
Both should become prohibited species with a small recreational take allowed as a result of a high minimum size. There should be a separate commercial porbeagle shark quota, that would allow for an accelerated rebuilding of the species. This was once a valuable recreational fishery in the mid-Atlantic and could be again if commercial landings were reduced. It has been under the management of the National Marine Fisheries Service since 1975 and in that time has experienced continued decline. These efforts historically met with opposition to conservation.