The National Marine Fisheries Service will not open the 2010 fishery for Small Coastal Sharks (SCS) until final implementation of Amendment 3 to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Management Plan. Therefore, in accordance with the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks, MarineFisheries is issuing this notice prohibiting the commercial landing, harvest and possession of SCS species until further notice. SCS species include: Atlantic sharpnose, finetooth, blacknose, and bonnethead sharks.

These species are rarely found in Massachusetts waters and are found primarily in waters off the southern U.S., especially in winter. This action is taken to support the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Coastal Shark Management Plan’s objectives to prevent unlawful landing and sale.

For further information please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.