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Amendment 8 Revisions to Essential Fish Habitat in the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species

Final Rule |
West Coast

Overview

Fishery Management
West Coast Highly Migratory Species
Fishing Type
Commercial
Affected Species
Blue Shark
Action Status
Final Rule
Published
10/28/2024
Point of Contact
Nicole Nasby-Lucas at (858) 334-2826, nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov, or Eric Chavez at (562) 980-4064, eric.chavez@noaa.gov

Summary

NMFS announces the approval of amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS).

This amendment updates EFH provisions in the existing HMS FMP. The HMS FMP includes EFH for three species of pelagic shark (common thresher, shortfin mako and blue) five species of tunas (albacore, bigeye, Pacific bluefin, skipjack, and yellowfin), striped marlin, swordfish, and dolphinfish (dorado).

This amendment is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which requires periodic review and revision of EFH components of FMPs as warranted based on available information. This amendment does not change how the U.S. fisheries off the West Coast are managed; it updates the EFH descriptions in the HMS FMP.

Image
Maps of Essential Fish Habitat for various sharks and tuna-like species on the Pacific coast
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for a) common thresher shark, b) shortfin mako shark, c) blue shark, d ) albacore tuna, e) bigeye tuna, f) Pacific bluefin tuna, g) skipjack tuna, h) yellowfin tuna, i) striped marlin, j) broadbill swordfish, k) dolphinfish

Federal Register

Supporting Materials

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 10/28/2024

Essential Fish Habitat