Promoting Recovery of Sandbar Sharks

Public policy goals, like helping depleted shark stocks to recover, can be achieved through prohibition, direct regulation, moral persuasion, payments and incentives, and litigation (lawsuits). Here are some possible measures or activities that could promote recovery of sandbar sharks.

1. A "Shark Stamp" purchased by recreational fishers, with proceeds going to promote conservation
2. Banning shark fishing entirely
3. Taxes or impact fees for boats and/or fuel
4. Hiring more staff to patrol waters and enforce regulations where shark fishing occurs
5. Selecting the sandbar shark as the "Official Shark" of Virginia, N.C., etc.
6. Advertising campaigns on TV and in other media
7. Mandatory conservation classes for recreational fishers
8. Bans on selling shark meat at fish markets
9. Incentives to catch fish other than sharks
10. Limitations on the number of shark fishing permits
11. Grants for teaching shark conservation to public school students
12. Banning the sale or import of shark jaws, teeth, etc.
13. Filing lawsuits against violators of current shark fishing restrictions
14. International trade agreements restricting sale of shark fins
15. Government buy-backs of shark-fishing boats
16. No-take zones