NOAA Fisheries has announced its intent to issue exempted fishing permits and scientific research permits for the collection of Atlantic highly migratory species. These permits will authorize collection of a limited number of tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks from federal waters in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico for the purposes of scientific data collection and public display. For more information, contact Sari Kiraly or Heather Stirratt at 301-713-2347.

Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on December 24, and should be sent to Christopher Rogers, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or by fax to 301-713-1917.