Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Prohibit Retention of Mobulid Rays in Fisheries for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

Document 2026-10096 is a Final Rule published by the Department of Commerce in the Federal Register on May 20, 2026, with an effective date of June 22, 2026. In this final rule, NMFS is changing regulations to implement the binding International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Recommendation 24-12 on mobulid rays of the family Mobulidae. Specifically, this action prohibits retention of mobulid rays in fisheries for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS), requires mobulid rays to be released unharmed in HMS fisheries, and implements mobulid ray handling practices for vessels fishing with pelagic longline gear. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/20/2026-10096/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-prohibit-retention-of-mobulid-rays-in-fisheries-for-atlantic.

No. Document 2026-10096 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.