1.   The measures are designed to halt the sharp decline in shark populations caused by overfishing in recent years.

2.   Coastal shark populations have declined so drastically in recent years that recreational fishermen are practicing strict shark conservation measures unheard of only a few decades ago.

3.   Maine is one of eight states that are failing to protect shark populations in their waters, according to a report issued by the Ocean Wildlife Campaign Monday.

4.   Paxton says shark populations are hard to track and that research does not yet confirm anecdotal evidence that global warming and coastal uses are changing their habits and movements.

5.   The goal is to determine shark populations, migratory patterns and growth rates.

6.   As catches have grown to meet an expanding Asian market for fins, shark populations have declined.

7.   Russell Dunn of the Ocean Wildlife Campaign said no one really knows the health status of shark populations in the Pacific.

8.   Five conservation groups called Wednesday for an internationally-sponsored study on the shark population that could result in sharks being placed on a list of endangered species.