US with new shark regulations

That latest stock assessment determined that the population of sandbar sharks was depleted and the rate of fishing was too high. Sandbar sharks are prized for their fins, and they are one of the most commercially valuable shark species caught in the Atlantic Ocean. They make up the majority of current East and Gulf Coast commercial shark landings.

- Our recent stock assessments show we need to take strong conservation measures to stop overfishing on sandbar and other sharks to allow these species to rebuild. These sharks, like many sharks, mature late, grow slowly and produce few young, making them particularly vulnerable to fishing pressure, said Jim Balsiger, NOAA acting assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service.

The new rule also prohibits recreational shark fishermen from landing sandbar or silky sharks.