^w^ Any resource must be managed wisely in order to be maintained.
^w^ Sharks are a limited resource. The economy, the needs of the environment and the ability of each shark species to replenish its population must be considered in developing management plans.
^w^ The goal of management research is to determine how many sharks can be harvested over what period of time in order for the species to replenish itself.
^w^ History indicates that over-fishing can quickly deplete a species so that it takes years, or maybe even decades, for the species to recover.
^w^ Sharks are one of the most difficult commercial fish species to study. In the United States, the National Marine Fisheries Service conducts a tagging program to develop a database on species distribution, migratory patterns, age and growth.
