National Marine Fisheries Service
07/12/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/12/2021 08:45
Dive into Shark Week 2021
Join us for Shark Week July 11-18, 2021 as we celebrate one of the ocean's top predators. Sharks play a key role in food web and help ensure the balance of ocean ecosystems.
NOAA Fisheries manages commercial and recreational shark fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. We work with three regional fishery management councils to conserve and sustainably manage sharks in the Pacific Ocean. We conduct research, assess stocks, work with U.S. fishermen, and implement restrictions on shark harvests. Through these actions, we have made significant progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks for long-term sustainability.
Features
12 Shark Facts That May Surprise You
Celebrate Shark Week by learning something new about sharks!
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Shortfin mako shark. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Sharks in Atlantic Coastal Waters
Sharks are found in coastal waters along the East Coast, and some species populations are on the rise. But your chances of interacting with one are still very low.
Learn more about sharks in Atlantic coastal waters
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Lemon shark by Albert Kok, used under CC BY-SA 3.0.
U.S.-Caught Sharks Are a Sustainable Food Choice
While overfishing has greatly depleted some shark populations overseas, U.S. shark fisheries are some of the most sustainable in the world.
Learn more about U.S.-caught sharks
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Pelagic blacktip shark in open water. Credit: Madelein_Wolf/Getty Images
How Our Shark Finning Ban Helps Us Sustainably Manage Shark Fisheries
Hear from a shark management expert about our requirement that fishermen bring sharks to shore with their fins naturally attached.
Learn more about our shark finning ban
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A blacktip shark. Atese/Getty Images
Are All U.S. Sharks Overfished?
The majority of sharks harvested in the United States are species with above-target population levels. And we have rebuilding plans for all overfished species.
Learn more about U.S. shark populations
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Atlantic sharpnose shark. Photo by Kevin Bryant, used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
From the Archives
A Symphony of Sharks
Top 5 Shark Videos and More
Every week is Shark Week with our top shark features and videos.
Check out shark features and videos
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Two mako sharks swimming. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Fun Facts about Shocking Sharks
The top predators of the ocean, sharks have been making headlines in recent years. Find out more about these notorious fish (yes, they are fish!).
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Bull shark swimming in shallow water. Credit: NOAA
Memories of Sharks Past
An incisive account of how our knowledge of sharks has grown, from Aristotle to the present day, wins a Best Paper Award from the Marine Fisheries Review.
Learn more about how our knowledge of sharks has grown
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A detail from a rare, pre-Hispanic Aztec manuscript depicts a shark attack on a human. Though the image of the shark is stylized, it has the correct number and placement of fins, accurately shaped teeth, and asymmetric caudal fin of a shark. Photo: Codex Fejérvary-Mayer.