Final Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for a Rule to Modify the Retention Limit of Shortfin Mako Sharks

This proposed action is necessary to implement binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This proposed action would adopt management measures implementing a 2021 ICCAT recommendation prohibiting retention of North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks caught in association with ICCAT fisheries. Specifically, this action would propose implementing a flexible shortfin mako shark retention limit with a default of zero in commercial and recreational highly migratory species fisheries.