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
- 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
- HMS FMP Appendix C: Bycatch of Fish in HMS Fisheries
- HMS FMP Essential Fish Habitat Life History Accounts and Essential Fish Habitat Descriptions
News & events
- Highly Migratory Species Management Team and Advisory Subpanel to hold online meetings January 15, 2021
- Pacific Council News Winter 2020: Highly Migratory Species
- Washington submits draft plan to distribute Federal relief funding
- COVID-19 fisheries assistance
- Pacific Council News Fall 2020: Highly migratory species
- NMFS announces notice of intent to prepare an EIS for HMS exempted fishing permit to fish with longline gear in the West Coast exclusive economic zone; public comment to be accepted by webinar
- Highly Migratory Species Management Team to hold online meeting July 27, 2020
- Call for data and information – Essential Fish Habitat Review for Pacific Coast Highly Migratory Species
Actions in Progress
Upcoming Council Meeting
Via Webinar
This meeting will be conducted online only. Online meeting participation details will be posted as they become available.