2026 Atlantic Shark Commercial Fishery Landings and Retention Limit Updates
Monthly Atlantic shark commercial catch statistics for 2026.
The following are preliminary landings estimates in metric tons (mt) and pounds (lb) dressed weight (dw) for the Atlantic shark commercial fisheries; 1 mt is equal to 2,204.6 pounds. These preliminary estimates are based on dealer reports and other information received throughout the year. The estimates include landings by state-only permitted vessels, federally permitted vessels, and the 2026 shark research fishery participants. We provide percentages of landings instead of estimated landings or show the "<" symbol where needed to continue ensuring participant confidentiality.
NOAA Fisheries will announce closures of management groups when landings reach or are projected to reach 80 percent of the available overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota, unless the management group’s landings are not projected to reach 100 percent of the applicable quota before the end of the year. Management groups that are quota linked close when landings of either of the linked management groups reach or are projected to reach 80 percent of the available overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota, unless the management group’s landings are not projected to reach 100 percent of the applicable quota before the end of the year.
The fishing seasons for all shark management groups opened on January 1, 2026.
On December 23, 2022, the President of the United States signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions on the sale of shark fins. Details on how this Act effects shark fin sales has been added to a "Frequently Asked Questions" page (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/laws-policies/frequently-asked-questions-shark-fin-sales-elimination-act-2023). Information regarding the process steps required for the international trade of sharks and rays is available from the Fish and Wildlife Service.
For more information regarding these landings estimates contact Heather Baertlein (Heather.Baertlein@noaa.gov) or call 301-427-8534.
January 1 – June 16, 2026
Gulf of America‡ Region
- Includes any landings south and west of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of June 16, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the western and eastern Gulf of America‡ sub-regions.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Sub-Region | Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota (dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 6/16/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landings through Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Gulf of America‡ (West of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 347.2 mt (765,392 lb) | 37.7 mt (83,161 lb) | 16% | 31.3 mt (68,995 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 72.0 mt (158,724 lb) | 19.2 mt (42,312 lb) | 27% | <18 mt (<39,683 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 11.9 mt (26,301 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) | |
Eastern Gulf of America‡ (East of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 37.7 mt (83,158 lb) | 6.1 mt (13,441 lb) | 24% | 3.7 mt (8,210 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 85.5 mt (188,593 lb) | 30.1 mt (66,435 lb) | 35% | <92 mt (<202,823 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 13.4 mt (29,421 lb) | <2 mt (4,409 lb) | <15% | <16 mt (<35,274 lb) | |
N/A | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | 112.6 mt (248,215 lb) | 13.7 mt (30,210 lb) | 12% | 14.1 mt (31,020 lb) |
N/A | Smoothhound | 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
‡ Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Atlantic Region
- Includes any landings north of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of June 16, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota (dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 6/16/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landings through Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 168.9 mt (372,552 lb) | 29.3 mt (64,575 lb) | 17% | 36.2 mt (79,755 lb) |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 27.1 mt (59,736 lb) | 17.2 mt (37,990 lb) | 64% | 9.9 mt (21,749 lb) |
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal (quota linked to Blacknose south of 34° N. lat. only) | 264.1 mt (582,333 lb) | 8.0 mt (17,619 lb) | 3% | 10.0 mt (22,089 lb) |
Blacknose (South of 34° N. lat. only) | 17.2 mt (37,921 lb) | 1.7 mt (3,793 lb) | 10% | <3 mt (<6,614 lb) |
Smoothhound | 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb) | 104.7 mt (230,867 lb) | 9% | 74.0 mt (163,108 lb) |
No Regional Quotas
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota (dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 6/16/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landings through Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Research Fishery (Aggregated LCS) | 50.0 mt (110,230 lb) | 2.2 mt (4,938 lb) | 4% | <11 mt (<24,251 lb) |
Shark Research Fishery (Sandbar only) | 90.7 mt (199,943 lb) | 14.2 mt (31,355 lb) | 16% | <45 mt (<99,207 lb) |
Blue | 273.0 mt (601,856 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Porbeagle | 1.7 mt (3,748 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue †† | 488.0 mt (1,075,856 lb) | 12.7 mt (28,007 lb) | 3% | 9.1 mt (20,043 lb) |
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. Effective February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
Aggregated Large Coastal (LCS) | Hammerhead† | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue†† | Smoothhound | |
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* Blacktip shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of America Region.
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic Region.
† The retention of hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks), effective February 2, 2024, is prohibited in the U.S. Caribbean (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024).
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. As of February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
January 1 – May 8, 2026
Gulf of America‡ Region
- Includes any landings south and west of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of May 8, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the western and eastern Gulf of America‡ sub-regions.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Sub-Region | Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 5/8/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Gulf of America‡ (West of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 347.2 mt (765,392 lb) | 30.6 mt (67,384 lb) | 13% | 26.3 mt (58,004 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 72.0 mt (158,724 lb) | 16.3 mt (35,959 lb) | 23% | <16 mt (<35,274 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 11.9 mt (26,301 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) | |
Eastern Gulf of America‡ (East of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 37.7 mt (83,158 lb) | <5 mt (<11,023 lb) | <20% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 85.5 mt (188,593 lb) | 28.0 mt (61,689 lb) | 33% | <81 mt (<178,573 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 13.4 mt (29,421 lb) | <2 mt (4,409 lb) | <15% | <14 mt (<30,864 lb) | |
N/A | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | 112.6 mt (248,215 lb) | 10.1 mt (22,286 lb) | 9% | 6.0 mt (13,141 lb) |
N/A | Smoothhound | 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
‡ Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Atlantic Region
- Includes any landings north of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of May 8, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota (dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 5/8/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landings through Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 168.9 mt (372,552 lb) | 23.3 mt (51,346 lb) | 14% | 29.3 mt (64,629 lb) |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 27.1 mt (59,736 lb) | 11.5 mt (25,426 lb) | 43% | 8.2 mt (18,074 lb) |
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal (quota linked to Blacknose south of 34° N. lat. only) | 264.1 mt (582,333 lb) | 5.5 mt (12,039 lb) | 2% | 8.1 mt (17,798 lb) |
Blacknose (South of 34° N. lat. only) | 17.2 mt (37,921 lb) | 1.6 mt (3,630 lb) | 10% | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) |
Smoothhound | 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb) | 54.2 mt (119,557 lb) | 5% | 44.2 mt (97,335 lb) |
No Regional Quotas
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota (dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 5/8/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landings through Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Research Fishery (Aggregated LCS) | 50.0 mt (110,230 lb) | 1.1 mt (2,514 lb) | 2% | <8 mt (<17,637 lb) |
Shark Research Fishery (Sandbar only) | 90.7 mt (199,943 lb) | 3.4 mt (7,537 lb) | 4% | <25 mt (<55,115 lb) |
Blue | 273.0 mt (601,856 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Porbeagle | 1.7 mt (3,748 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue †† | 488.0 mt (1,075,856 lb) | 11.2 mt (24,729 lb) | 2% | 7.9 mt (17,518 lb) |
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. Effective February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
Aggregated Large Coastal (LCS) | Hammerhead† | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue†† | Smoothhound | |
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* Blacktip shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of America Region.
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic Region.
† The retention of hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks), effective February 2, 2024, is prohibited in the U.S. Caribbean (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024).
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. As of February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
January 1 – April 14, 2026
Posted May 4
Gulf of America‡ Region
- Includes any landings south and west of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of April 14, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the western and eastern Gulf of America‡ sub-regions.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Sub-Region | Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 4/14/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Gulf of America‡ (West of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 347.2 mt (765,392 lb) | <23 mt (<50,706 lb) | <10% | <20 mt (<44,092 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 72.0 mt (158,724 lb) | <14 mt (<30,864 lb) | <20% | <14 mt (<30,864 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 11.9 mt (26,301 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) | |
Eastern Gulf of America‡ (East of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 37.7 mt (83,158 lb) | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) | <8% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 85.5 mt (188,593 lb) | 10.5 mt (23,204 lb) | 12% | <67 mt (<147,708 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 13.4 mt (29,421 lb) | <1 mt (2,205 lb) | <8% | <12 mt (<26,455 lb) | |
N/A | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | 112.6 mt (248,215 lb) | 7.7 mt (16,909 lb) | 7% | 4.3 mt (9,529 lb) |
N/A | Smoothhound | 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
‡ Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Atlantic Region
- Includes any landings north of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of April 14, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 4/14/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 168.9 mt (372,552 lb) | 18.1 mt (39,881 lb) | 11% | 24.5 mt (54,008 lb) |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 27.1 mt (59,736 lb) | 8.2 mt (18,175 lb) | 30% | 3.5 mt (7,753 lb) |
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal (quota linked to Blacknose south of 34° N. lat. only) | 264.1 mt (582,333 lb) | 4.6 mt (10,228 lb) | 2% | 6.6 mt (14,559 lb) |
Blacknose (South of 34° N. lat. only) | 17.2 mt (37,921 lb) | 1.4 mt (3,085 lb) | 8% | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) |
Smoothhound | 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb) | 44.3 mt (97,592 lb) | 4% | 23.3 mt (51,415 lb) |
No Regional Quotas
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 4/14/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Research Fishery (Aggregated LCS) | 50.0 mt (110,230 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <2% | <4 mt (<8,818 lb) |
Shark Research Fishery (Sandbar only) | 90.7 mt (199,943 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <2% | <8 mt (<17,637 lb) |
Blue | 273.0 mt (601,856 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Porbeagle | 1.7 mt (3,748 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue †† | 488.0 mt (1,075,856 lb) | 6.8 mt (14,903 lb) | 1% | 3.1 mt (6,873 lb) |
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. Effective February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
Aggregated Large Coastal (LCS) | Hammerhead† | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue†† | Smoothhound | |
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* Blacktip shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of America Region.
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic Region.
† The retention of hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks), effective February 2, 2024, is prohibited in the U.S. Caribbean (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024).
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. As of February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
January 1 – March 13, 2026
Posted May 4
Gulf of America‡ Region
- Includes any landings south and west of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of March 13, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the western and eastern Gulf of America‡ sub-regions.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Sub-Region | Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 3/13/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Gulf of America‡ (West of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 347.2 mt (765,392 lb) | <16 mt (<35,274 lb) | <7% | <11 mt (<24,250 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 72.0 mt (158,724 lb) | <8 mt (<17,637 lb) | <12% | <11 mt (<24,250 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 11.9 mt (26,301 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) | |
Eastern Gulf of America‡ (East of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 37.7 mt (83,158 lb) | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) | <8% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 85.5 mt (188,593 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <2% | <37 mt (<81,570 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 13.4 mt (29,421 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <10 mt (<22,045 lb) | |
N/A | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | 112.6 mt (248,215 lb) | <8 mt (<17,637 lb) | <8% | <4 mt (<8,818 lb) |
N/A | Smoothhound | 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
‡ Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Atlantic Region
- Includes any landings north of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of March 13, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 3/13/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 168.9 mt (372,552 lb) | 13.5 mt (29,806 lb) | 8% | 9.3 mt (20,554 lb) |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 27.1 mt (59,736 lb) | 4.4 mt (9,682 lb) | 16% | 0.3 mt (715 lb) |
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal (quota linked to Blacknose south of 34° N. lat. only) | 264.1 mt (582,333 lb) | 2.5 mt (5,606 lb) | 1% | 4.9 mt (10,713 lb) |
Blacknose (South of 34° N. lat. only) | 17.2 mt (37,921 lb) | 1.1 mt (2,422 lb) | 6% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Smoothhound | 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb) | 10.6 mt (23,265 lb) | 1% | 10.1 mt (22,237 lb) |
No Regional Quotas
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 3/13/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Research Fishery (Aggregated LCS) | 50.0 mt (110,230 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <2% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Shark Research Fishery (Sandbar only) | 90.7 mt (199,943 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <2% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Blue | 273.0 mt (601,856 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Porbeagle | 1.7 mt (3,748 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue †† | 488.0 mt (1,075,856 lb) | 3.1 mt (6,763 lb) | 1% | 1.6 mt (3,538 lb) |
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. Effective February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
Aggregated Large Coastal (LCS) | Hammerhead† | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue†† | Smoothhound | |
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|
|
|
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* Blacktip shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of America Region.
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic Region.
† The retention of hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks), effective February 2, 2024, is prohibited in the U.S. Caribbean (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024).
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. As of February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
January 1 – February 19, 2026
Posted May 4
Gulf of America‡ Region
- Includes any landings south and west of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of February 19, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the western and eastern Gulf of America‡ sub-regions.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Sub-Region | Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 2/19/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Gulf of America‡ (West of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 347.2 mt (765,392 lb) | <5 mt (<11,023 lb) | <3% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 72.0 mt (158,724 lb) | <6 mt (<13,228 lb) | <9% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 11.9 mt (26,301 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) | |
Eastern Gulf of America‡ (East of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 37.7 mt (83,158 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 85.5 mt (188,593 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <13 mt (<28,660 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 13.4 mt (29,421 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <8 mt (<17,637 lb) | |
N/A | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | 112.6 mt (248,215 lb) | <0.5 mt (<1,102 lb) | <1% | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) |
N/A | Smoothhound | 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
‡ Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Atlantic Region
- Includes any landings north of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of February 19, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 2/19/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 168.9 mt (372,552 lb) | 8.9 mt (19,682 lb) | 5% | 4.5 mt (9,869 lb) |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 27.1 mt (59,736 lb) | 3.9 mt (8,635 lb) | 14% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal (quota linked to Blacknose south of 34° N. lat. only) | 264.1 mt (582,333 lb) | 2.2 mt (4,873 lb) | 1% | 1.4 mt (3,129 lb) |
Blacknose (South of 34° N. lat. only) | 17.2 mt (37,921 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <3% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Smoothhound | 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb) | 1.6 mt (3,549 lb) | <1% | 1.1 mt (2,535 lb) |
No Regional Quotas
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 2/19/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Research Fishery (Aggregated LCS) | 50.0 mt (110,230 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Shark Research Fishery (Sandbar only) | 90.7 mt (199,943 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | 0% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Blue | 273.0 mt (601,856 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Porbeagle | 1.7 mt (3,748 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue †† | 488.0 mt (1,075,856 lb) | 3.0 mt (6,566 lb) | 1% | 0.5 mt (1,142 lb) |
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. Effective February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
Aggregated Large Coastal (LCS) | Hammerhead† | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue†† | Smoothhound | |
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* Blacktip shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of America Region.
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic Region.
† The retention of hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks), effective February 2, 2024, is prohibited in the U.S. Caribbean (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024).
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. As of February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
January 1 – January 30, 2026
Posted May 4
Gulf of America‡ Region
- Includes any landings south and west of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of January 30, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the western and eastern Gulf of America‡ sub-regions.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Sub-Region | Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 1/30/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Gulf of America‡ (West of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 347.2 mt (765,392 lb) | <5 mt (<11,023 lb) | <3% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 72.0 mt (158,724 lb) | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) | <3% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 11.9 mt (26,301 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) | |
Eastern Gulf of America‡ (East of 88° W. long. only) | Blacktip | 37.7 mt (83,158 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 85.5 mt (188,593 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <13 mt (<28,660 lb) | |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 13.4 mt (29,421 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <8 mt (<17,637 lb) | |
N/A | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | 112.6 mt (248,215 lb) | <0.5 mt (<1,102 lb) | <1% | <2 mt (<4,409 lb) |
N/A | Smoothhound | 504.6 mt (1,112,441 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
‡ Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Atlantic Region
- Includes any landings north of 25° 20.4’ N. latitude.
- As of January 30, 2026, the retention limit for directed permit holders is 55 large coastal sharks other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip, and the retention limit for all permit holders is 8 blacknose sharks per vessel per trip.
- The retention limit for directed permit holders can change throughout the season.
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 1/30/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregated LCS (quota linked to Hammerhead) | 168.9 mt (372,552 lb) | 8.3 mt (18,224 lb) | 5% | 4.5 mt (9,869 lb) |
Hammerhead (quota linked to Agg. LCS) | 27.1 mt (59,736 lb) | 3.8 mt (8,423 lb) | 14% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal (quota linked to Blacknose south of 34° N. lat. only) | 264.1 mt (582,333 lb) | 1.7 mt (3,787 lb) | 1% | 1.4 mt (3,129 lb) |
Blacknose (South of 34° N. lat. only) | 17.2 mt (37,921 lb) | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) | <3% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Smoothhound | 1,802.6 mt (3,973,902 lb) | 1.5 mt (3,228 lb) | <1% | 1.1 mt (2,535 lb) |
No Regional Quotas
Shark Management Group | 2026 Quota(dressed weight, dw) | Estimated Landings through 1/30/2026 (dw) | % of 2026 Quota | 2025 Landingsthrough Same Reporting Period (dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Research Fishery (Aggregated LCS) | 50.0 mt (110,230 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Shark Research Fishery (Sandbar only) | 90.7 mt (199,943 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | <1 mt (<2,205 lb) |
Blue | 273.0 mt (601,856 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Porbeagle | 1.7 mt (3,748 lb) | 0 mt (0 lb) | 0% | 0 mt (0 lb) |
Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue †† | 488.0 mt (1,075,856 lb) | 2.3 mt (5,168 lb) | <1% | 0.5 mt (1,142 lb) |
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. Effective February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).
Species in each shark management group that has multiple species
Aggregated Large Coastal (LCS) | Hammerhead† | Non-Blacknose Small Coastal | Pelagic Sharks other than Porbeagle or Blue†† | Smoothhound | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Blacktip shark is part of its own management group in the Gulf of America Region.
** Smooth dogfish is the only smoothhound species in the Atlantic Region.
† The retention of hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead sharks), effective February 2, 2024, is prohibited in the U.S. Caribbean (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024).
†† At this time, only the common thresher shark may be retained in Atlantic HMS fisheries for the “Pelagic Sharks other than Blue or Porbeagle” management group. As of February 2, 2024, oceanic whitetip shark is included with the Atlantic HMS prohibited sharks management group (89 FR 278, January 3, 2024), and effective July 2022, the shortfin mako shark retention limit in all commercial and recreational Atlantic HMS fisheries is zero (87 FR 39373, July 1, 2022).