Fishermen Must Attend Free Shark ID Workshops to Keep Permits
Published Date: 3/13/2025
Notice
Summary
If you’re a fisherman or shark dealer with federal permits, you’ve got to attend free workshops in spring 2025 to keep your permits valid. These workshops teach you how to identify sharks and handle protected species safely. They’re happening in several East Coast spots and even online for recertification—no extra cost, just mark your calendar!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Shark 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 or purchase Atlantic sharks and to renew your federal shark dealer permit. Certificates are valid for 3 years (certificates issued in 2022 will expire in 2025). The 2025 in-person dealer workshops are April 17, May 15, and June 20 in Medford, NY; Manahawkin, NJ; and Fort Lauderdale, FL, respectively.
Vessel owners/operators need safe-handling certificates
If you are a vessel owner or operator using bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear and have a shark or swordfish limited access permit, you must attend a Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and have a valid certificate to be issued or renew the permit. Both the vessel owner and at least one operator must have valid certificates on board at all times; vessels with limited-access shark or swordfish permits that use longline or gillnet gear may not fish unless both owner and operator have valid certificates. Certificates are valid for 3 years (certificates issued in 2022 will expire in 2025). The 2025 in-person workshops are April 4, May 5, and June 18 in Mount Pleasant, SC; Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Ronkonkoma, NY, respectively.
Dealer proxy rules and certificate placement
Permitted shark dealers may send a proxy to the identification workshop, but a proxy must be designated for each business location and must be an employee who participates in identification, weighing, or first receipt of fish; only one certificate is issued per proxy. A copy of a valid dealer or proxy certificate must also be kept in any trucks or conveyances that are extensions of the dealer's business.
Online recertification option for past attendees
If you previously attended an in-person workshop, you are eligible to renew your Atlantic Shark Identification or Safe Handling certificate through an online recertification course (online recertification was implemented in December 2021). Course access is available at the NMFS workshop site: https://hmsworkshop.fisheries.noaa.gov/start.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04026, E6(R3) Good Clinical Practice: Annex 2; International Council for Harmonisation; Draft Guidance for Industry; Reopening of the Comment Period
The FDA is giving everyone more time to share their thoughts on the draft rules for good clinical practice in drug studies, called E6(R3) Annex 2. This affects drug companies and researchers who want to make sure their studies meet the latest safety and quality standards. Comments are now open until March 31, 2025, so get your feedback in before the final rules are set—no extra costs, just your voice!
Next: 2025-04028, Harpreet Singh: Final Debarment Order
Harpreet Singh is banned for 10 years from importing any drugs into the U.S. because he was convicted of serious crimes like drug trafficking and fraud. He didn’t respond to the FDA’s notice, so the ban starts on March 13, 2025. Singh can apply to end this ban anytime, but it won’t be easy or quick.