Researchers use information on the unique life history characteristics of sharks and apply it to mathematical models to estimate and compare the rebound potentials of various shark species, i.e., their relative productivity and ability to rebound from fishing pressure or other sources of mortality. They have developed a method which does not require large data sets and incorporates a density-dependent population response, which they have used to examine the relative productivity of a range of shark species, including most U.S. West Coast shark species.