Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic and Demersal Indicator Species Regulations

Document 2026-07532 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Commerce in the Federal Register on April 17, 2026. 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 and bottom longline fisheries to harvest available quotas to the extent practicable while still achieving fishery management and conservation goals. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/17/2026-07532/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-pelagic-and-demersal-indicator-species-regulations.

No. Document 2026-07532 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.