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.

News & events
- Coastal Pelagic Species Science and Management Priorities
- Groundfish Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee to hold an online meeting August 12-13, 2025
- Preliminary DRAFT June 2025 Motions in Writing
- Fast Facts
- Klamath River Fall Chinook
- Sacramento River Fall Chinook
- Highly Migratory Species Management Team to hold online meeting June 6, 2025
- Sacramento River Fall Chinook Workgroup to meet June 30-July 1, 2025
Actions in Progress
- No current items
Upcoming Council Meeting
September Council meeting
Spokane, WA
DoubleTree Spokane City Center 322 N Spokane Falls Court - Spokane, WA 99201 509-455-9600
Events

Contacts
-
Kerry Griffin
503-820-2409
kerry.griffin@pcouncil.org
Photo courtesy of Oriana Poindexter