Shark Fishermen Get Bonus Catch from 2025 Leftovers in Atlantic Waters
Published Date: 4/30/2026
Rule
Summary
The 2026 Atlantic shark commercial fishing year just got a boost! Thanks to leftover quota from 2025, commercial shark fishermen can catch a bit more sharks this year, helping them make the most of the fishery. This change kicks in on April 30, 2026, and runs through the end of the year, giving fishermen extra chances without extra costs.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Extra 2026 Quota for Some Shark Groups
Starting April 30, 2026 through December 31, 2026, NMFS added underharvest quota from 2025 to certain shark management groups so commercial fishermen can catch more sharks. Adjusted 2026 quotas include Western Gulf of America blacktip sharks = 347.2 mt (765,392 lb), Eastern Gulf of America blacktip sharks = 37.7 mt (83,158 lb), Gulf of America smoothhound sharks = 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb), and Atlantic smoothhound sharks = 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb). These adjustments reflect adding up to the allowed carryover from 2025 under Sec. 635.27(b).
No Carryover for Overfished or Unknown Stocks
NMFS did not carry over 2025 underharvests into 2026 for several shark groups because those stocks are overfished, have overfishing, or have unknown status. The management groups excluded from carryover include aggregated large coastal sharks (LCS), hammerhead sharks, non-blacknose small coastal sharks (SCS), blacknose shark, blue, porbeagle and other pelagic sharks, and sandbar shark and research LCS.
50% Carryover Cap and Possible Transfers
NMFS may only carry over up to 50 percent of a base annual quota from the previous fishing year into 2026, and may later transfer quotas between regions or sub-regions after considering specified criteria. The 50 percent carryover limit is set in Sec. 635.27(b)(2)(ii), and regional transfers can occur under Sec. 635.27(b)(2)(iii).
No Regional Base Reduction After Sub-Regional Overharvest
Even though the eastern Gulf of America had an overharvest in 2025 for some sub-regional quotas (Aggregated LCS and hammerhead sharks), NMFS did not reduce the 2026 regional base quotas because the full Gulf regional quotas were not filled. That means 2026 regional base quotas for those groups remain at their codified levels.
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