Is shark conservation working in the USA?

In 1986 a shark survey began off the east coast of the USA.

1998 was a record high of  917 sharks and tagged 859.

In 2009 another record high of  1,675 sharks from 19 different species and tagged 1,352.

In 2012 another record high of 1,831 shark were caught with 1,654 tagged and released.

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2009/SciSpot/SS0909/

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2013/SciSpot/SS1309/2012survey.pdf