Fishermen Must Attend Shark ID Workshops or Lose Federal Permits
Published Date: 6/12/2025
Notice
Summary
If you’re a fisherman or shark dealer with federal permits, you’ve got to join free shark ID and safe handling workshops this summer and fall 2025 to keep your permits valid. These workshops teach you how to spot sharks and handle them safely, plus there’s a new online option for recertification. More free sessions will pop up later in 2025, so stay tuned!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Mandatory Shark ID for Dealers
If you are an Atlantic shark dealer with a federal permit, you must attend a free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop in July, August, or September of 2025 to keep your federal dealer permit valid. The workshops are free and additional sessions will be announced later in 2025.
Required Safe-Handling for Certain Vessels
If you are a vessel owner or operator who uses bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear and you hold a shark or swordfish limited access permit, you must attend a free Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop in July, August, or September of 2025 to meet regulatory requirements and maintain your permit. Additional free workshops will be offered later in 2025.
Online Recertification Option Added
If you already completed an in-person training, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) now offers online recertification workshops so you can recertify without attending another in-person session. This online recertification is available for persons who previously took the in-person training.
More Free Workshops Coming in 2025
NMFS will conduct additional free Atlantic shark and safe-handling workshops later in 2025; those sessions will be announced in a future notice. You should watch for future announcements if you need to meet the workshop requirement to keep a federal permit.
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