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West Coast Highly Migratory Species

West Coast

About

NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region's Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Program works to develop, implement, and evaluate fisheries policies and regulations for managing sustainable fisheries for eastern Pacific Ocean species such as Pacific tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish. Because highly migratory species are found throughout the Pacific Ocean and migrate across jurisdictional boundaries, this program engages stakeholders and governmental groups in the management of these species at both domestic and international levels.

More Information

Actions

Under Development Implemented Actions

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Eis To Fish Longline Gear in the U.S. EEZ Under an Exempted Fishing Permit

Notice of intent to prepare an EIS on potential short- and long-term impacts of the proposed action to issue an exempted fishing permit.
Notice
,
West Coast
Published
08/10/2020

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

Amendment to update EFH provisions in the existing HMS FMP for three species of pelagic shark, five species of tunas, striped marlin, swordfish, and dolphinfish
Final Rule
,
West Coast
Published
10/28/2024

Fisheries off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; El Nino Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area Reopening

Temporary rule; reopening of June 1, 2024 closure of a portion of the Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area to drift gillnet fishing
Temporary Rule
,
West Coast
Effective
08/01/2024

Fisheries off West Coast States: Highly Migratory Species Fishery; El Nino Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area Closure

Temporary rule to close a portion of the Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area to drift gillnet fishing
Temporary Rule
,
West Coast
Effective
06/01/2024

Regulations to Authorize Deep-set Buoy Gear under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP)

Fishery Management Plan final rule to authorize deep-set buoy gear in federal waters off California and Oregon
Final Rule
,
West Coast
Published
05/08/2023

Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Amendments to the Fishery Management Plans for Coastal Pelagic Species, West Coast Highly Migratory Species

Notice of Availability of agency decision on amendments to three fishery management plans on the Pacific Coast
Final Rule
,
West Coast
Published
07/08/2022

Fisheries Off West Coast States; Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1; Amendments to the Fishery Management Plans for Coastal Pelagic Species,

Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1 (CEBA 1) amends the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council's) four fishery management plans (FMPs): the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) FMP, the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, the FMP for U.S. West Coast Highl
Final Rule
,
West Coast
Effective
05/04/2016

Fisheries Off West Coast States; List of Authorized Fisheries and Gear

This action updates the Federal list of authorized fisheries and gear issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA, at 16 U.S.C. 1855(a)). The List of Fisheries includes a description of fisheries allowed to operate in t
Final Rule
,
West Coast
Effective
01/22/2015

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 07/23/2020