How do I submit a public comment on Atlantic Highly Migratory Species?

The public comment window for this decision closed on May 29, 2026. The record of what was at stake stays on this page.

When is the public comment deadline for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species?

The comment window closed on May 29, 2026.

Do public comments actually change federal decisions?

Yes, when they are substantive. Agencies are legally required to read and respond to substantive comments before finalizing a rule, and specific personal comments about real places and real uses carry far more weight than identical form letters. Courts have overturned rules when agencies ignored substantive comments.

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Oppose Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic and Demersal Indicator Species Regulations

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species fishing zonesFederal Register 2026-07532 ↗

Wildlife Fishing Deregulation

NMFS is proposing to remove existing regulations that identify and limit fishing for 'indicator species' in Atlantic pelagic and bottom longline fisheries. It'd eliminate oversight tools that currently track ecosystem health through these species, giving fishermen more flexibility to harvest available quotas. This affects permit holders in Atlantic HMS longline fisheries and could reduce conservation guardrails tied to species used as ecological benchmarks.

In the agency’s own words

NMFS is proposing changes to regulations regarding pelagic and demersal indicator species in the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) pelagic and bottom longline fisheries. Specifically, NMFS is proposing to remove the regulations regarding pelagic and demersal indicator species and the list of pelagic and demersal indicator species from the HMS regulations. These proposed changes would directly impact pelagic and bottom longline fishermen who hold Atlantic HMS fishing permits. The purpose of this action is to increase fishing flexibilities, remove regulatory inefficiencies, and optimize the ability of pelagic…

Federal Register 2026-07532 ↗

The reporting behind this

From More Than Just Parks

Trump Administration to Legalize Killing of Endangered SpeciesSep 17, 2026

A memo signed by Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik rewrites the heart of the Endangered Species Act without a vote, a rule, or a single public comment.

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