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

The public comment window for this decision closed on March 6, 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 March 6, 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; Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· Atlantic OceanFederal Register 2025-24264 ↗

Wildlife Fishing ESA HMS

NMFS is proposing changes to how Atlantic blacknose and other shark species are managed in commercial and recreational fisheries. The rule would remove a geographic management boundary for blacknose sharks, adjust commercial retention limits, revise recreational size and bag limits, and eliminate certain quota linkages between commercial fishing groups. It'd affect commercial shark fishermen, recreational anglers, and the conservation status of Atlantic shark populations.

In the agency’s own words

NMFS is proposing several changes for commercial and recreational Atlantic shark fisheries. Specifically, NMFS is considering options to remove the blacknose shark management boundary in the Atlantic region, modify the commercial retention limit for blacknose sharks in the Atlantic region, revise the recreational minimum size limits for Atlantic shark species, and revise the recreational retention limits for Atlantic shark species. In this action, NMFS would also remove commercial management group quota linkages, consistent with Amendment 14 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery…

Federal Register 2025-24264 ↗

The reporting behind this

From More Than Just Parks

Trump Administration to Legalize Killing of Endangered SpeciesSep 17, 2026

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