Trump Pardons Florida Divers Who Freed 19 Sharks

President Donald Trump granted full and unconditional pardons to two South Florida shark divers, John Moore Jr. and Tanner Mansell, who were convicted in 2022 of theft after freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a NOAA-permitted research longline off Jupiter Inlet in 2020. The men believed the line was illegal and reported it to state wildlife officials before bringing it ashore, though it was part of a legal research operation. Their convictions resulted in loss of voting rights, firearm ownership, and travel restrictions, but they did not serve prison time. The pardons erase their convictions and restore their rights. Defense attorneys argued the prosecution was government overreach for an honest mistake made out of environmental concern. The case has sparked debate over the balance between environmental activism and legal wildlife research.