Federal officials are proposing listing the oceanic whitetip shark as an endangered species.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has determined that the shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) warrants listing as a threatened species, according to the Federal Register.
The service completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act for the oceanic whitetip shark in response to a petition from Defenders of Wildlife to list the species.
The review found that it is likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the foreseeable future because of destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; disease or predation; the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.
The oceanic shark is distributed worldwide in epipelagic tropical and subtropical waters, including Hawaiian waters, according to the notice.
“Although generally not targeted, they are frequently caught as bycatch in many global fisheries, including pelagic longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish, purse seine, gillnet, and artisanal fisheries,” the proposed rule states. “Oceanic whitetip sharks are also a preferred species for their large, morphologically distinct fins, as they obtain a high price in the Asian fin market, and thus they are valuable as incidental catch for the international shark fin trade.”
The proposed rule also clarifies that while a global population size estimate or trend for the oceanic whitetip shark is currently unavailable, the review team agreed that while it historically was one of the most “abundant and ubiquitous shark species in tropical seas around the world.
Should the proposed listing be finalized, the NMFS would also designate critical habitat for the species.
Public comment on the proposed rule must be received by March 29. ComemnSubmit comments at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0152 or to Chelsey Young, NMFS Office of Protected Resources (F/PR3), 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Attention: Oceanic whitetip proposed rule.