Now Accepting Applications for the 2023 Shark Research Fishery

Applications due December 2, 2022

NOAA Fisheries is now accepting applications from commercial shark fishermen interested in participating in the 2023 Shark Research Fishery. A completed application and required vessel information must be submitted by December 2, 2022 for consideration.

What the permit covers

Shark Research Fishery permits allow fishermen to land sandbar, other large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, smoothhound, and pelagic sharks from federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. The permit is subject to 100-percent observer coverage—participants can fish without an observer when not on a Shark Research Fishery trip. The scientific data collected by fishery observers is used in shark stock assessments.

2023 Shark Research Fishery permits will be valid only through December 31, 2023, unless otherwise specified, and for the specific vessel and owner(s) listed on the permit, subject to the terms and conditions listed on the permit.

The specific conditions of the permit, including trip limits, gear requirements, and number of trips per month, will depend, among other things, on the number of selected vessels, available quota, and the objectives of the research fishery. Research objectives may require participating vessels to have electronic monitoring system sensors installed for the duration of the 2023 research fishery. Those shark research permit holders with electronic monitoring sensors may also be provided with satellite archival tags for dusky sharks to use during shark research fishery trips.

How to get applications

Applications are available for download and by email request. Completed applications can be submitted by email to NMFS.Research.Fishery@noaa.gov.

Please be advised your application may be released under the Freedom of Information Act.