Government Greenlights Shark Fishing That Oopsie-Daisies Endangered Sea Critters
Published Date: 6/5/2025
Notice
Summary
NMFS is giving a permit that lets certain California and Pacific drift gillnet fisheries accidentally catch some protected marine mammals without breaking the law. This applies to fishers using big mesh nets targeting thresher sharks and swordfish. The permit helps keep fishing legal while protecting endangered species, with no extra costs or new deadlines for fishers right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Permit Allows Incidental Takes for CA Drift Gillnet Fishery
NMFS issued a permit that lets fishers in the California thresher shark and swordfish drift gillnet fishery (>=14 inch mesh) and the corresponding Pacific high seas drift gillnet component legally incidentally catch certain Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The permit applies to the Category II CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh) fishery and the Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery, and the agency says there are no new costs or deadlines for fishers right now.
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Key Dates
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