Atlantic Highly Migratory Species: Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures; Extension of Comment Period; Revisions

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Revisions to Commercial Atlantic Blacknose and Recreational Atlantic Shark Fisheries Management Measures; Extension of Comment Period

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, is responsible for managing Federal Atlantic HMS fisheries ( i.e., sharks, tunas, billfish and swordfish), pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ) and consistent with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. ). The term HMS is defined at 16 U.S.C. 1802(21), and the provisions for the management of HMS are found at 16 U.S.C. 1854(g)(1). ATCA is the implementing statute for binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. NMFS manages HMS fisheries under the HMS FMP and its amendments. HMS implementing regulations are at 50 CFR part 635.

NMFS released a proposed rule to revise commercial and recreational Atlantic shark fisheries management measures on January 5, 2026 (91 FR 215). That proposed rule considers options to remove the blacknose shark management boundary in the Atlantic region, modify the commercial retention limit for blacknose sharks in the Atlantic region, revise the recreational minimum size limits for Atlantic shark species, and revise the recreational retention limits for Atlantic shark species. That proposed rule would also remove commercial management group quota linkages, consistent with Amendment 14, and make technical changes to clarify certain HMS regulations.

NMFS has received requests from several groups to extend the comment period and discuss this rulemaking during upcoming meetings. During a hearing webinar on January 22, 2026, which included an opportunity for commenting on the proposed rule, commenters expressed concern regarding changing the recreational bag limit for Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks from one per person per trip to one per vessel per trip. Due to those concerns, the Gulf Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) requested an extension of the comment period. Specifically, the Gulf Council indicated that those species are abundant and the proposed change is not related to any recent stock assessment that would warrant a decrease in harvest. The Gulf Council requested additional time to understand the rationale for the proposed changes and requested a presentation from the HMS Management Division at the April 2026 Council meeting. Similarly, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) requested a presentation for their Coastal Shark Board at their May 2026 Commission meeting. In addition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requested an extension of the comment period until after the HMS Advisory Panel meeting through the end of May 2026.

After considering the requests, NMFS has determined that it is reasonable to extend the comment period to enable NMFS staff to present at the Gulf Council, ASMFC, and HMS Advisory Panel meetings, and to allow additional opportunities for public comment. Therefore, NMFS is extending the comment period through May 29, 2026. This revised comment period allows time for Council and Commission members, the regulated community, and the general public to further consider the rulemaking documents, and the analyses, data, and conclusions relevant to the proposed management measures in them, and to provide comments to NMFS. NMFS will consider these comments in determining which final management measures to implement.