Negative interactions with sharks have become a growing problem in the southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to the point where they are having a significant financial impact on the for-hire sector. Vessels targeting a range of species including tarpon and bonefish, reef fish and pelagics are losing (in some cases up to 90% of) their catch to sharks.
So far the problem has been less severe in the northeast but a growing number of vessels targeting striped bass are encountering white sharks around Cape Cod, and more recently in Maine. Ground-fishing charter and headboats are also experiencing more loss to sharks.
Meanwhile, both commercial and recreational tuna fishermen have reported a sizeable increase in shark encounters including loss of bait, hooks and leaders, and catching non-target species.
NOAA Fisheries continues to collect information used to formulate seasons, bag limits and gear restrictions but have little if any data from the northeast. Please take a few moments to complete the survey below. Your answers will be shared with the National Marine Fisheries Service Highly Migratory Species division.
The online survey only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous and confidential.
