Scalloped Hammerheads Listed as Endangered

NMFS Lists 2 Hammerhead Populations as Threatened and 2 as Endangered Species

By Brent Durand, July 3, 2014

Today is a special day for hammerhead sharks. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final determination to list 4 key scalloped hammerhead species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), scheduled to become effective on September 2, 2014.

Listing a species under the ESA provides critical step for raising awareness of the plight of both the sharks and their habitat, as well as research efforts to address conservation needs. The newly listed scalloped hammerhead sharks live primarily outside U.S. waters, however this is a critical first step towards larger protection measures.

Which populations were listed?

• Central & Southwest Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific distinct populations listed as threatened species
• Eastern Atlantic and Eastern Pacific distinct populations listed as endangered species

This petition was submitted by WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals, with many other supporting groups and organizations.  Jay Tutchton, Senior Staff Attorney with Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:

Full details on the ESA's hammerhead listings can be found on their website here.

Special thanks to Defenders of Wildlife for sharing the news.

Further Reading

• Diving with Scalloped Hammerheads at Malpelo Island

• Get Involved: Easy Ways to Protect our Ocean

• 10 Epic Shark Dive Destinations

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