Scoping Meeting Schedule for Three Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Actions

NOAA Fisheries announces a schedule for scoping meetings and webinars for three actions evaluating possible revisions to measures implemented under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Management Plan.

The public process for these actions begins with scoping to determine the range of issues for each action. Notices announcing our intent to prepare an environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act and the availability of an issues and options paper for each action were announced separately.  

About the Actions

Amendment 13

This amendment considers refining the Individual Bluefin Tuna Quota (IBQ) Program, reassessing allocation of bluefin tuna quotas, including the discontinuing or phasing out of the Purse Seine category, and other regulatory provisions regarding bluefin tuna directed fisheries and incidental pelagic longline fisheries. Potential changes to the IBQ program are based on the recently released Draft Three-Year Review of the IBQ Program. 

For additional information, contact Tom Warren or Sarah McLaughlin at 978-281-9260. 

Amendment 14

This amendment explores options to implement the newly revised National Standard 1 guidelines in the context of shark annual catch limits, including how to account for uncertainty stemming from either stock assessments or the management process. 

For additional information, contact Guý DuBeck or Ian Miller at 301-427-8503. 

Spatial Management Research

This action considers ways to perform research and collect data in closed areas to assess the effectiveness of spatial HMS management. 

For additional information, contact Steve Durkee at 202-670-6637 or Tobey Curtis at 978-281-9260.

Meeting Schedule

Scoping Meetings

*The July 30, 2019 meeting in Toms River, NJ may be scheduled along with a public hearing for a proposed rule to modify pelagic longline bluefin tuna area-based and weak hook management measures. For further information, watch for an upcoming Federal Register notice announcing the proposed rule public hearing schedule.

Webinars