Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Compliance Guides

These guides are not a substitute for the regulations found in the Code of Federal Regulations. For a comprehensive list of Atlantic HMS regulations, refer to 50 CFR 635.

To request hard copies of any of the compliance guides or the Careful Catch and Release brochure, email elsa.gutierrez@noaa.gov or peter.cooper@noaa.gov. For additional questions, contact us.

List of managed Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

Recreational Fishing Compliance Guide

LAST UPDATED May 2023 

This guide provides a plain language summary of how to comply with recreational highly migratory species regulations for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfishes.

• Complete compliance guide 
• Guía de cumplimiento completa (PDF, 47 páginas)

Commercial Fishing Compliance Guide

LAST UPDATED FEBRUARY 2023

This guide provides a plain language summary of how to comply with commercial highly migratory species regulations for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfishes.

Complete compliance guide

HMS Dealer Compliance Guide

Last updated JANUARY 2023

This guide provides a plain language summary of how to comply with highly migratory species dealer regulations for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfishes. 

• Complete compliance guide
• Guía de cumplimiento completa (PDF, 43 páginas)

HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Permit

Caribbean Shark Identification Placards

In an effort to educate fishermen in the U.S. Caribbean on the new changes under the HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, NOAA Fisheries produced this placard to help fishermen understand the new permit regulations, proper shark identification, and release methods. 

• Caribbean Shark Identification Placard (PDF, 1 page)

Carteles de Identificación de Tiburones para Titulares del Permiso Comercial Caribeño de Botes Pequeños para Especies Altamente Migratorias

En un esfuerzo por educar a los pescadores en el Caribe Estadounidense sobre los nuevos cambios bajo el permiso Comercial Caribeño de Botes Pequeños para Especies Altamente Migratorias, NOAA Fisheries produjo este cartel para ayudar a los pescadores a comprender las nuevas regulaciones del permiso, la identificación adecuada de tiburones, y los métodos de liberación.

• Carteles de Identificación de Tiburones (PDF, 1 page)

Watch this video to learn more about the HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Permit.

Mire este video para obtener más información sobre el Permiso Comercial Caribeño para Botes Pequeños de HMS.

More Information

Careful Catch and Release Brochure

The Careful Catch and Release brochure is an excellent guide for the HMS recreational angler who would like to practice catch and release fishing. The brochure provides tips on planning, gear, handling, and release of HMS, and is small enough to take along on fishing trips.

HMS Identification Guides

The Guide to Sharks, Tunas & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is a joint publication of NOAA Fisheries and Rhode Island Sea Grant. Copies can be purchased through Rhode Island Sea Grant.

• Atlantic Tunas Identification Tools
  • Atlantic Tunas Identification Chart (PDF, 1 page)
  • Atlantic Tunas Identification Guide (PDF, 2 pages)
  • Guía de Identificación de Atunes (PDF, 2 pages)

Handling and Release of Sharks

In an effort to end overfishing on and rebuild the dusky shark stock, NOAA Fisheries produced materials to help aid in identification and educate anglers on proper release methods.

• Shark Identification Placard (PDF, 1 page)
• Prohibited Shark Identification Placard (PDF, 1 page)
• Mako Shark Educational Postcard (PDF, 1 page)
• Postal Educativa para Tiburón Dientuso Azul (Mako) (PDF, 1 page)
• Oceanic Whitetip Shark Handling and Release Procedures (PDF, 1 page)
• Tiburón Oceánico de Punta Blanca: Procedimientos de Manipulación y Liberación (PDF, 1 page)
• Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Handling and Release Procedures (PDF, 2 pages)
• Tiburon Cornuda Comun "Scalloped Hammerhead": Procedimientos de Manipulación y Liberación (PDF, 2 pages)