# 2026-07532: Fishermen Rejoice: Government Cuts Red Tape on Ocean Catches

2026-07532, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic and Demersal Indicator Species Regulations, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-04-17, effective Written comments must be received by May 29, 2026. NMFS will hold a public hearing webinar on May 21, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. For additional details on the public hearing, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07532
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-07532
- Title: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic and Demersal Indicator Species Regulations
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 20619
- Published: 2026-04-17
- Effective: Written comments must be received by May 29, 2026. NMFS will hold a public hearing webinar on May 21, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. For additional details on the public hearing, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-BN27
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Fishermen Rejoice: Government Cuts Red Tape on Ocean Catches

## Summary

The government wants to make fishing rules easier for Atlantic pelagic and bottom longline fishermen by removing some old regulations about certain fish species. This change aims to give fishermen more freedom to catch fish while still protecting the ocean. If you fish in these waters, get ready for new rules starting soon, and don’t forget to share your thoughts by May 29, 2026!

## Abstract

NMFS is proposing changes to regulations regarding pelagic and demersal indicator species in the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) pelagic and bottom longline fisheries. Specifically, NMFS is proposing to remove the regulations regarding pelagic and demersal indicator species and the list of pelagic and demersal indicator species from the HMS regulations. These proposed changes would directly impact pelagic and bottom longline fishermen who hold Atlantic HMS fishing permits. The purpose of this action is to increase fishing flexibilities, remove regulatory inefficiencies, and optimize the ability of pelagic and bottom longline fisheries to harvest available quotas to the extent practicable while still achieving fishery management and conservation goals.

## Effects PRIA read

- Remove 5% Indicator-Species Rule: benefit, low. NMFS proposes to remove the 5-percent (by weight) limits in 50 CFR 635.21(c)(1)(i) and 635.21(d)(2) and to remove Tables 2 and 3 of Appendix A to 50 CFR part 635 (the pelagic and demersal indicator species lists). This change would apply to vessels operating in pelagic and bottom longline gear rest…
- More Gear Flexibility; Revenue Opportunity: benefit, low. With the 5-percent limits and species lists removed, HMS pelagic and bottom longline fishermen who also hold permits for Council-managed species could more readily use gear authorized under Council rules (for example, bandit gear) and land non-HMS such as grouper, snapper, and tilefish without bein…
- Who Is Affected and Small-Entity Status: benefit, low. The proposed rule would apply to holders of Atlantic HMS permits, including 164 Swordfish Directed, 63 Swordfish Incidental, 188 Shark Directed, 221 Shark Incidental, and 223 Atlantic Tunas Longline category limited access permits. NMFS considers all commercial HMS permit holders affected by this r…

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## Sources
- [2026-07532 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/17/2026-07532/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-pelagic-and-demersal-indicator-species-regulations)
- [2026-07532 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-17/pdf/2026-07532.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-07519, Increase in Threshold for Requiring Information Reporting With Respect to Certa…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07519)
- [Next: 2026-07537, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07537)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07532 (as of 2026-06-11).