“The Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations authorized by section 10, shall establish a research program for Pacific and Atlantic sharks to engage in the following data collection and research:“(1) The collection of data to support stock assessments of shark populations subject to incidental or directed harvesting by commercial vessels, giving priority to species according to vulnerability of the species to fishing gear and fishing mortality, and its population status.
“(2) Research to identify fishing gear and practices that prevent or minimize incidental catch of sharks in commercial and recreational fishing.
“(3) Research on fishing methods that will ensure maximum likelihood of survival of captured sharks after release.
“(4) Research on methods for releasing sharks from fishing gear that minimize risk of injury to fishing vessel operators and crews.
“(5) Research on methods to maximize the utilization of, and funding to develop the market for, sharks not taken in violation of a fishing management plan approved under section 303 or section 307(1)(P) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853, 1857(1)(P)).
“(6) Research on the nature and extent of the harvest of sharks and shark fins by foreign fleets and the international trade in shark fins and other shark products.
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