This #SharkAwarenessDay , we're at the annual Elasmobranch Society meeting marking key milestones in 🇺🇸 Atlantic shark/ray conservation:
* 30 years of shark fishery management
* 20 years of limits on 7 species of NE skates
* 20 years since smalltooth sawfish ESA listing
#JMIH23 #AES23

30 years since 1st 🇺🇸 Atlantic shark fishing limits:
* finning ban sparked global progress
* blacktip shark population has been rebuilt
* shortfin mako & dusky sharks remain in trouble
* hammerhead assessment is underway
* common thresher assessment is needed
#SharkAwarenessDay

20 years since #ESA listing for smalltooth sawfish:
* great science & outreach
* juvenile abundance is looking good
* bycatch mortality persists
* shrimp trawlers have very low observer coverage
* allowable take limit was recently increased
* essential mangrove habitat is at risk

20 years since New England skate limits were set:
* Remarkable recovery of barndoor skate
* Winter skate supports sustainable fishery
* Thorny skate declined further, at just 3.5% of target
* Climate change exacerbates depletion
* Closed area & gear changes are urgently needed