Feds Force Fishermen to Attend Free Shark-Spotting and Handling Classes
Published Date: 12/23/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting January 2026, certain fishermen and shark dealers must attend free workshops to keep their permits valid. These workshops teach how to identify sharks and safely handle protected species, with sessions across the East Coast and Texas. Online recertification is also available, making it easier to stay up-to-date without extra costs or hassle.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Vessel owners/operators need safe-handling certificates
If you are a vessel owner or operator using bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear with shark or swordfish limited access permits, you must have a Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate to fish or to renew/receive these permits. Certificates are valid for 3 years (certificates issued in 2023 will expire in 2026), and vessels may not fish with those permits unless both the vessel owner and an operator have valid certificates on board at all times.
Dealers must hold ID certificates
If you are a federally permitted Atlantic shark dealer, you must have a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate at each business location that first receives sharks to receive, purchase, trade, or barter for Atlantic sharks. Certificates are valid for 3 years (certificates issued in 2023 will expire in 2026) and a valid certificate must be submitted with permit renewal applications.
Dealers may send trained proxies
Permitted Atlantic shark dealers may send a proxy to the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop for a specific business location, but the proxy must be a current employee who primarily handles identification, weighing, or first receipt of fish and fills out dealer reports. Only one certificate is issued per proxy and dealers must designate a proxy for each business location if they use proxies.
Online recertification option available
If you previously attended an in-person workshop, you can recertify online (NMFS implemented this option in December 2021). Online recertification is available for shark dealers and vessel owners and operators who fish with longline or gillnet gear and links are provided at the NMFS workshop webpages.
Free regional workshops in early 2026
NOAA is offering free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops on January 15, February 19, and March 5, 2026 in Virginia Beach, VA; Melville, NY; and Wilmington, NC, and Safe Handling workshops on January 8, February 11, and March 17, 2026 in Portsmouth, NH; Marathon, FL; and Houston, TX. Additional free workshops will be announced later in 2026.
Dealers must carry certificates in conveyances
Atlantic shark dealers must keep a copy of a valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate in any trucks or other conveyances that are extensions of a dealer's place of business.
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