NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are being sought by Monday, June 14 on the agency’s finding that substantial scientific or commercial information exists indicating that it may be warranted to (1) list the shortfin mako shark as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act and (2) designate critical habitat. The finding, made in response to a 2021 Defenders of Wildlife petition, triggers a status review to determine whether an ESA listing is warranted.
NMFS is specifically seeking information on historical and current abundance and population trends, distribution and population structure, and condition of habitat, as well as historical and current data on bycatch and retention in industrial, commercial, artisanal, and recreational fisheries worldwide, data on trade of shortfin mako products, the effects of other known or potential short-term or long-term threats, and management, regulatory, or conservation programs.
The shortfin mako shark occurs across all temperate and tropical ocean waters, including the Southeast, New England/Mid-Atlantic, West Coast, and Pacific Islands.
