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

The public comment window for this decision closed on April 9, 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 April 9, 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.

Affects public lands

Oppose Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Revision of the Termination Date for Swordfish and Shark Limited Access Permits

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· Atlantic OceanFederal Register 2026-03306 ↗

Wildlife Fishing

NOAA's proposing to remove the one-year deadline that currently causes swordfish and shark commercial fishing permits to permanently expire if they're not renewed on time. Under the current rules, if a permit holder misses the renewal window, they lose the permit forever, but this change would let them renew at any point regardless of how long it's been. The rule would affect commercial fishermen holding Atlantic swordfish and shark limited access permits, and NOAA says it won't change actual fish harvest levels.

In the agency’s own words

This proposed rule would revise the regulations regarding the termination date for swordfish and shark limited access permits (LAPs). Currently, when a swordfish or shark LAP is not renewed within a year of the expiration date, the permit terminates and can no longer be renewed or used. This action would remove the termination date and allow permits to be renewed at any time. This action would stop the further loss of swordfish and shark LAPs and may benefit permit holders by providing them the ability to renew their LAPs more than one year past their expiration. This action would have no practical effect on harv…

Federal Register 2026-03306 ↗

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.

More actions that need you

Stop the repeal of the Roadless Rule11 days left Stop harmful logging and grazing rules in the Blue Mountains5 days left Chequamegon-Nicolet west zone aspen and fir logging nears final decision3 days left

Go deeper, free

Scorecard

See how your members of Congress vote on public lands

Every representative, graded on the votes that decide the fate of parks, forests, and refuges.

Open ↗The map

See the places under active threat

A live map of the parks, monuments, and wild country in the crosshairs right now.

Open ↗

A wrong fact, a dead link, a form that wouldn’t take your letter: one tap and it comes to the people who build PLAN, with this fight attached.

Know an open comment period we are missing, or spotted a wrong deadline? .