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The public comment window for this decision closed on January 14, 2026. The record of what was at stake stays on this page.

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Support Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Exempted Fishing, Scientific Research, Display, and Shark Research Fishery Permits; Letters of Acknowledgement

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· Atlantic OceanFederal Register 2025-22758 ↗

Wildlife Fishing Scientific Research

NMFS is announcing its intent to issue several types of special permits for 2026 that allow researchers, scientists, and display facilities to work with Atlantic highly migratory species outside of normal fishing regulations. These permits cover exempted fishing, scientific research, public display, and a shark research fishery that collects biological data to support stock assessments and fisheries management. Researchers and organizations working with Atlantic HMS, including sharks, should take note of the application opportunity for the 2026 shark research fishery.

In the agency’s own words

NMFS announces its intent to issue exempted fishing permits (EFPs), scientific research permits (SRPs), display permits, shark research fishery permits, and letters of acknowledgement (LOAs) for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) in 2026. NMFS also requests applications for the 2026 shark research fishery. EFPs, SRPs, display permits, and shark research fishery permits exempt permit holders from specific portions of the regulations for the purposes of scientific research, data collection, and public display, among other things. The shark research fishery provides fishery-dependent and biological data collect…

Federal Register 2025-22758 ↗

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