Proposed Rule: Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures
Summary
NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to revise the commercial Atlantic blacknose shark and recreational Atlantic shark fisheries management measures.
What it will do
In commercial shark fisheries:
- Remove the blacknose shark management boundary in the Atlantic region
- Modify the commercial retention limit for blacknose sharks in the Atlantic region
- Remove commercial management group quota linkages
In recreational shark fisheries:
- Revise the recreational minimum size limits for Atlantic sharks
- Revise the recreational retention limits for Atlantic sharks
Who it affects
- Any commercial or recreational shark fisher in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea.
- Any dealer who buys or sells sharks or shark products in these areas.
Public Hearing Webinar Schedule
Venue | Date and Time | Location |
Webinar | January 22, 2026 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
| Webinar number: 2829 333 1816 Webinar password: NMFS2026 (66372026 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone: +1-415-527-5035 US Toll; Access code: 282 933 31816 |
Webinar | January 29, 2026 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET
| Webinar number: 2826 438 6020 Webinar password: NMFS2026 (66372026 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone: +1-415-527-5035; Access code: 282 643 86020 |
Comments
NOAA Fisheries will accept public comments from January 5, 2026 to May 29, 2026 at Regulations.gov. All comments received are a part of the public record.