Amendment 8 Revisions to Essential Fish Habitat in the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted to NMFS Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS) July 15, 2024. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), these Amendments would update essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions in the existing HMS FMP. This Amendment is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) which requires periodic review and revision of EFH components of FMPs as warranted based on available information.