[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 147 (Monday, August 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 48847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15684]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XF910]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species Advisory Panel
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public webinar/conference call.
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SUMMARY: NMFS will hold a 2-day hybrid Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2026. The intent
of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and
management of HMS. The meeting is open to the public.
DATES: The AP meeting and webinar will be held on Wednesday, September
9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET and Thursday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. ET.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Silver
Spring Hotel, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The meeting
will also be accessible via WebEx conference call and webinar.
Conference call and webinar access information are available at:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/september-2026-hms-advisory-panel-meeting.
Participants accessing the webinar are strongly encouraged to log/
dial in 15 minutes prior to the meeting. NMFS will show the
presentations via webinar and allow public comment during identified
times on the agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cooper ([email protected])
or Anna Quintrell ([email protected]) at 301-427-8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: HMS fisheries (swordfish, sharks, tunas, and
billfish) are managed under the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery
Management Plan (FMP) and its amendments pursuant to the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and consistent with the Atlantic
Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). HMS implementing
regulations are at 50 CFR part 635.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the establishment of APs and
requires NMFS to consult with and consider the comments and views of AP
members during the preparation and implementation of FMPs or FMP
amendments (16 U.S.C. 1854(g)(1)(A)-(B)). NMFS meets with the HMS AP
approximately twice each year to consider potential alternatives for
the conservation and management of Atlantic swordfish, sharks, tunas,
and billfish fisheries, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Some of the discussion topics are:
Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery update (year in review);
HMS fisheries economics update;
Updates on various shark actions; and
Continued discussion on actions under Executive Order
14276.
We anticipate inviting other NMFS offices and the U.S. Coast Guard
to provide updates, if available, on their activities relevant to HMS
fisheries. Additional information on the meeting and a copy of the
draft agenda will be posted prior to the meeting (see ADDRESSES).
All members of the public will have virtual access to the meeting
available via webinar and status updates of in-person public access to
the meeting will be available on the NMFS website (see ADDRESSES). The
meeting location is physically accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Peter Cooper at 301-427-8503, at least 7 days
prior to the meeting.
Dated: July 30, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15684 Filed 7-31-26; 8:45 am]
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