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.
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