Government Issues Official Shark Hunting Licenses for Science
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is gearing up to issue special permits in 2026 for fishing, research, and public display of Atlantic swordfish, sharks, tunas, and billfish. These permits let scientists and educators bend some rules to gather important data and share cool marine life with the public. If you want in on the 2026 shark research fishery, get your applications in by January 14, 2026—no fees mentioned, just a deadline to remember!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Shark Research Fishery Can Let You Sell Sandbar Sharks
Selected shark research fishery participants may be authorized to harvest and sell sandbar sharks commercially under specific permit terms in 2026. NMFS states the base annual commercial sandbar quota is 90.7 metric tons dressed weight (mt dw) and the base research large coastal shark (LCS) quota is 50 mt dw per year.
Permits Exemptions Allow Research/Display
NMFS will issue exempted fishing permits (EFPs), scientific research permits (SRPs), display permits, and letters of acknowledgement in 2026 that can exempt holders from specific rules (like closed seasons, prohibited species rules, gear limits, closed areas, and minimum sizes) so researchers and display facilities can collect or display Atlantic tunas, billfish, swordfish, and some sharks.
Permit-Related Mortalities Count Against Quotas
NMFS will count mortalities from EFPs, SRPs, and display permits (except larvae) against the appropriate fishery quota. NMFS reported issuing dozens of such permits in 2024 and 2025 and will account for any permit mortalities against available quotas.
100% Observer Coverage and Retention Rules Required
Shark research fishery trips require 100-percent NMFS observer coverage. Recent practice required participants to retain all non-prohibited shark species dead at haulback, and observers will be placed on trips to collect required data.
Dusky Shark Bycatch Limits Can Stop Regional Trips
Under the shark research fishery, if participants bring four or more dusky sharks to the vessel dead in a region, participants in that region cannot soak gear for longer than 3 hours. If, after that change, three additional dusky shark interactions (alive or dead) occur, participants in that region are barred from making trips for the rest of the year unless NMFS permits otherwise.
Eligibility Rules and Nontransferable Permits
To apply for the shark research fishery, you must hold a current Atlantic shark Directed or Incidental limited access permit, have a valid U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection decal, and have no recent HMS-related criminal or civil charges or certain observer compliance failures. Shark research fishery permits will be valid only for the vessel and owner(s) listed and cannot be transferred.
NMFS May Pay Compensation or Fund Electronic Monitoring
NMFS provided monetary compensation in 2025 to participants who had electronic monitoring sensors installed and operating for some shark research fishery trips, and NMFS may provide monetary compensation in 2026 for some trips depending on permit terms and requirements.
January 14, 2026 Application Deadline
If you want to apply to participate in the 2026 shark research fishery, you must submit your completed application by January 14, 2026. NMFS also asks for public comments on issuing exempted fishing and related permits by January 14, 2026.
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