NOAA Adjusts 2026 Commercial Shark Quotas Based on 2025 Catch Data
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Table of Contents
The National Marine Fisheries Service has updated the commercial fishing quotas for Atlantic sharks for the 2026 season. The adjustment covers the fishing year from January 1 through December 31, 2026, and changes the amount of shark catch allowed by adding unharvested quota from 2025 to the base limits.
Why it matters: This is a routine annual adjustment that sets the legal catch limits for commercial shark fisheries. It does not change conservation rules or open new waters. The practical effect is that a few commercial fishing operations will have slightly more quota to work with in 2026, while others will stick to their standard base limits. The adjustment ensures that unharvested catch is tracked and that quota limits align with current stock health.
Who it affects
- Commercial shark fishermen operating in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
This action was published by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service in the Federal Register; readers should review the full rule and Table 1 for exact quota numbers and regional allocations before relying on them.
Agency: Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document