Following new rules in Hawaii longline fisheries and the Western Pacific to change gear and reduce bycatch of critically endangered silky and oceanic whitetip sharks in 2023, Shark Stewards is leading the charge to urge other Regional Fisheries Management Organizations to follow suit. 

Under the proposed rule 50 CFR 635, NOAA Fisheries is considering adding oceanic whitetip sharks to the prohibited shark species group (effective in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) and prohibit the commercial and recreational retention of LCS hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks) in the U.S. Caribbean region.

One of the most threatened sharks, one scientific estimate predicted that less than 5% of the Oceanic Whitetip population remains, and as high as 99% of the population have been removed from some seas. As a result of these findings, its status on the IUCN Red List was moved to "Critically Endangered" globally.

Shark Stewards is working with agencies, scientists and advocates to implement zero retention and gear changes to protect these important and magnificent ocean predators.

We are releasing a new documentary on Hawaii sharks, culture and traditional conservation called Kahu Manō  to build on the momentum established by Hawaii, and will be screening the film at the next Inter Atlantic Tropical Tuna Convention in May. The film will be premiering at the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco April 13, and screening in Dana Point May 2.

Watch for screenings in your area and please share our petition to build support to save these endangered sharks from extinction.