Fishermen Must Release Manta-Like Rays Under New Rule
Published Date: 5/20/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting June 22, 2026, fishermen targeting Atlantic tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks can no longer keep mobulid rays if they catch them. Instead, they must release these rays carefully and unharmed, following new handling rules. This change helps protect mobulid rays and follows international agreements, with no big costs expected for fishers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Ban on Keeping Mobulid Rays
Starting June 22, 2026, owners and operators of vessels issued (or required to be issued) any Atlantic HMS permit may not retain, transship, land, store, sell, or purchase any mobulid ray (family Mobulidae). This prohibition applies across all Atlantic HMS fisheries and also bans sale or purchase of parts or whole carcasses.
Mandatory Immediate Release Requirement
As of June 22, 2026, vessels issued (or required to be issued) any HMS permit must release mobulid rays unharmed, to the extent practicable, as soon as they are seen on the hook or at the vessel. This release requirement applies in all HMS fisheries.
Pelagic Longline Handling Rules
Pelagic longline vessels issued (or required to be issued) an HMS permit must, as safely as practicable, disentangle and release hooked or entangled mobulid rays using a dehooker or line clipper/cutter; cut the gangion so less than 3 feet (91.4 cm) of line remains on the hook; remove line wrapped around the animal to the extent practicable; leave the animal in the water; and do not gaff mobulid rays.
Research Exemptions via Permits
Researchers conducting mobulid ray research or collection on any HMS-permitted fishing vessel must obtain an exempted fishing permit (EFP) or related permit (e.g., scientific research or display permit) to be exempt from the retention and handling rules. Research or collection on vessels that are not HMS-permitted fishing vessels does not require an HMS EFP or related permit for mobulid rays.
No New Reporting; Minimal Economic Impact
NMFS states this final rule does not add any new information collection, reporting, or record-keeping requirements, and NMFS expects neutral short-term and long-term social and economic impacts on HMS permit holders. NMFS examined Atlantic HMS dealer data and found no recorded sales of mobulid rays.
Who This Rule Covers (Permit Counts)
The rule applies to many HMS permit holders; NMFS lists affected permit counts including 150 Swordfish Directed, 73 Swordfish Handgear, 173 Shark Directed, 205 Atlantic Tunas Longline limited access permits, 109 Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permits, 616 Swordfish General Commercial permits, 2,420 Atlantic Tunas General category permits, 37 Atlantic Tunas Harpoon permits, and 4,409 HMS Charter/Headboat permits. NMFS considers these HMS permit holders to be small entities under its small business size standards.
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.
2026-05599, 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.
2026-17126, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (ME DMR). Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
2026-17113, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10092, Safety Zone; Morehead City Harbor, Morehead City, NC
On May 30, 2026, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Morehead City Harbor in North Carolina will have a temporary safety zone during a cool aerobatic flight show. Boats and people can’t enter the zone unless the Coast Guard says it’s okay, keeping everyone safe from any flying stunts. This short rule helps protect folks, vessels, and the environment without costing anyone a dime.
Next: 2026-10101, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Starting May 18, 2026, catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Central Gulf of Alaska must stop fishing for Pacific cod because they’ve hit their allowed catch limit for the season. This temporary closure lasts until September 1, 2026, helping protect fish stocks and keep the fishing fair. Fishermen affected should plan accordingly to avoid penalties and support sustainable fishing.