Shark Diver Receives Surprise Presidential Pardon

A shark diver from Florida was unexpectedly pardoned by the President after being convicted of releasing marine wildlife without proper authorization. Tanner Mansell, 31, was accused of cutting a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration longline and freeing 19 sharks and a grouper about five years ago.

While boarding a flight on May 28, Mansell learned of the pardon, leaving him “speechless” and overwhelmed. He recounted receiving the news from his lawyer, who told him he had received a full presidential pardon, which Mansell described as a moment of disbelief. The pardon lifted some restrictions, although he and his captain, John Moore Jr., still must pay over $3,300 in restitution from their 2022 conviction for theft of property within maritime jurisdiction.

In August 2020, Mansell and Moore spotted a longline connected to a buoy off Jupiter Inlet. Believing it to be illegal, they cut the line, freeing the sharks and grouper. After reporting the incident to authorities, they were charged federally and convicted two years later, although they claimed they believed they were exposing illegal activity.

The two avoided jail but faced restrictions affecting voting, gun ownership, and international travel—limitations that hindered Mansell’s conservation efforts. He expressed immense gratitude, emphasizing his respect for law enforcement and his dedication to protecting marine life.

Both men believed their actions were driven by a desire to protect sharks they thought were endangered, treating their act as an effort to combat illegal fishing rather than a crime. Their attorney described the incident as an “honest mistake,” and expressed confidence that they deserved the pardon.