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Highly Migratory Species

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New regulations...

New regulations are in effect for recreational anglers who target highly migratory species (HMS) in state waters and in federal waters of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Caribbean.

Highly migratory species are

• Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, albacore);
• sharks;
• swordfish and billfish (sailfish, spearfish, and blue and white marlin).

Federal waters extend from 3 to 200 miles on the Atlantic coast and from 9 to 200 miles on the Gulf coast of Florida.  Below are the new regulations that affect Florida anglers.

HMS Angling Permit

Recreational anglers who target any HMS fish must purchase a federal permit.  The permit is issued to the fishing vessel, so it will cover all anglers onboard.  Anglers can apply for a permit online at www.nmfspermits.com or by calling 888-872-8862.  This permit is not required for anglers fishing for billfish, swordfish or sharks in state waters.

HMS Reporting

Any HMS fish caught in federal waters (excluding sharks and non-bluefin tunas) that is landed (killed and brought to shore) must be reported to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours.  Call 800-894-5528 to report landings of swordfish and billfish, and 888-872-8862 to report bluefin tuna landings.

In addition, new state regulations require persons landing billfish and swordfish caught in state waters to report to NOAA at the phone number above.

Swordfish Bag and Size Limits for State Waters

Anglers are now limited to 1 swordfish per person with a vessel limit of 3 per boat, per day in state waters.  Regardless of the length of the trip, no more than the daily limit may be possessed onboard a vessel.  This bag limit includes charter boats and head boats.  The minimum size limit for swordfish in state waters is 47 inches lower jaw fork length, 29 inches cleithrum to keel length, or 33 pounds dressed weight.  A swordfish that is damaged by shark bites may be retained only if the remainder of the carcass is at least 47 inches lower jaw fork length, 29 inches cleithrum to keel length, or 33 pounds dressed weight.

For information about federal HMS regulations, visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

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