Comments Requested: 2024 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Exempted Fishing and Related Permits

NOAA Fisheries will issue exempted fishing permits, scientific research permits, display permits, letters of acknowledgement, and shark research fishery permits for the research and collection of Atlantic highly migratory species in 2024.

Exempted fishing and related permits authorize collection of a limited number of tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and sharks from federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. They allow for scientific data collection, bycatch research, public display, and evaluating environmental clean-up efforts.

Additionally, NOAA Fisheries issues letters of acknowledgement to permit holders as recognition of scientific research activity on board a vessel.

Comments on exempted fishing permits are accepted through November 20, 2023.