Highly migratory species
“Highly migratory species” include tuna, some shark species, and billfish—species that range widely through the ocean, often crossing international borders. These pelagic species live in the water of the open ocean, although they may spend part of their life cycle in nearshore waters.
Highly migratory species are harvested by U.S. commercial and recreational fishers and by foreign fishing fleets. Only a small fraction of the total harvest is taken within U.S. waters.
Key Documents
- Pacific Fishery Management Council Pacific Coast Swordfish Fishery Management and Monitoring Plan
- Description of control dates in groundfish and other Council managed fisheries
- Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Fisheries For Highly Migratory Species through Amendment 5
- Biological Opinion on the continued management of the drift gillnet fishery under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species
- HMS FMP Appendix F: U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species Life History Accounts and Essential Fish Habitat (FEIS Appendix A)
- HMS FMP Appendix C: Bycatch in HMS Fisheries (FEIS Chapter 5)
News & events
- Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel to hold online meeting June 2, 2022
- Highly Migratory Species Management Team continues online meeting April 29, 2022
- Highly Migratory Species Management Team to hold online meeting April 22, 2022
- Commercial fishery descriptions
- NMFS considering three exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications recommended by the Council.
- The Council is soliciting supplemental Advisory Body nominations through 5pm Friday, November 5, 2021.
- Highly Migratory Species Management Team to hold online meeting October 12-13, 2021
- NMFS announces draft EIS available for deep-set buoy gear authorization, Amendment 6 to the HMS FMP
Upcoming Council Meeting
June Council meeting
Vancouver, WA
Hilton Vancouver Washington 301 W. Sixth Street Vancouver, WA 98660 USA Phone: 360-993-4500
