Shark biologists from the Fisheries Resource Division were appointed to the Pacific Fishery Management Council's
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Management Plan Development Team in July 1999. They have begun work with the other team members on the draft plan, with direction from the Council and input from the HMS Advisory Panel and the public at regular public meetings. Work has begun on developing stock assessments and compiling life history and essential fish habitat information for the five shark species (blue, mako, and common, pelagic sand bigeye thresher) to be covered in the Pacific Council's Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Management Plan.