NOAA has proposed that the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) be offered protection by being listed as a “threatened species”. The listing in the Federal Register goes on to state: “We conclude that the oceanic whitetip shark is likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the foreseeable future.”

The proposal is currently open for public consultation, with comments being solicited electronically via the Federal Register announcement. The deadline for comments is 29 March 2017.

If the proposal is accepted, it will become against the law, with respect to oceanic whitetip sharks to: “Take any such species within the United States or the territorial sea of the United States”

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