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Marine protected areas are increasingly touted for their role in conserving large marine predators such as sharks, but their efficacy is debated. Seventeen “shark sanctuaries” have been established globally, but longline fishing continues within many such jurisdictions, leading to unknown levels of bycatch mortality levels. Using public data from Global Fishing Watch and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, we quantified longline fishing within eight shark sanctuaries and estimated pelagic shark catch and mortality for seven pelagic shark species.

The Tonga NPOA (sharks) is a policy guideline that ensures conservation and management of oceanic sharks in the Kingdom’s fisheries waters. It also promotes long-term sustainability and optimum use of sharks in Tonga’s Tuna longline fishery in accordance to national development policy frameworks, and special needs and requirements to develop and commercialise its fisheries. In the medium-long term, the Plan serves to minimize any adverse environmental effects of fishing on oceanic shark species.