Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Reporting

Reporting requirements for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) depend on the fishery and permit type. For more information on HMS fishery requirements, download our recreational, commercial, or dealer compliance guide. 

Recreational Fishermen 

Swordfish, Billfish, and Bluefin Tuna

Recreational fishermen with an HMS Charter/Headboat or HMS Angling permit must report swordfish and billfish landings, as well as bluefin tuna landings and dead discards, within 24 hours of returning from a trip. In most cases, you can report using any of these options: 

• Online at the HMS Permit Shop 
• Via the Catch Reporting app
• Through SAFIS eTrips Mobile version 2 or SAFIS eTrips Online. 
  • This option is available for HMS permit holders that also possess federal or state permits that require vessel reporting via SAFIS eTrips.
  • Fishermen reporting via SAFIS eTrips need to list each harvested swordfish or billfish, and each caught bluefin tuna (landed or discarded dead) individually within their trip report and report them in pounds rather than number caught. This will require the angler to change the ‘Unit of Measure’ from Count to Pounds in SAFIS eTrips. Bluefin tuna dead discards must also be reported individually.
• By phone at (800) 894-5528 for swordfish and billfish and (888) 872-8862 for bluefin tuna 

Anglers in Maryland and North Carolina must instead report at a state-operated reporting station. Call the numbers below for more information: 

• North Carolina Harvest Tagging Program: (800) 338-7804
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: (410) 213-1531

Additionally, you are required to participate if you are contacted by a representative of the Large Pelagic Survey or Marine Recreational Information Program. You could be surveyed at the dock, by phone, or by mail. 

Sharks 

There is no general reporting requirement for sharks caught recreationally under an HMS Charter/Headboat or HMS Angling permit. However, anglers in Maryland must report all recreational shark landings to the state. North Carolina anglers must also report some pelagic shark species. Call the numbers below for more information: 

• North Carolina Harvest Tagging Program: (800) 338-7804
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: (410) 213-1531

Additionally, recreational shark fishermen are required to participate if contacted by a representative of the Large Pelagic Survey or Marine Recreational Information Program. You could be surveyed at the dock, by phone, or by mail. 

Electronic Reporting Applications that satisfy both HMS and Regional Recreational Vessel Reporting Requirements

Tournament Operators

Tournament operators are responsible for reporting all HMS catch⁠—landed and released—within a week of the tournament's final day. This can be done online or by mailing a print form to: 

Tournament Reporting
75 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
tournaments@noaa.gov
Fax: (305) 361-4562

Tournament catch reporting form (PDF, 2 pages)

Commercial Fishermen

Bluefin Tuna

Regardless of your permit type, you can be selected for our logbook program or required to carry a NOAA Fisheries observer. Details on logbook and observer requirements are available in the compliance guide. 

Reporting requirements for bluefin tuna by permit type are outlined below.

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat Permit

Vessel owners or operators with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit are required to report the number and length of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing or end of each trip. This is in addition to any reports submitted by dealers. 

Landings and dead discards must be reported online via the HMS Permit Shop or using the reporting app, or through SAFIS eTrips Mobile or Online.

The option to use SAFIS eTrips is available for HMS permit holders that also possess federal or state permits that require vessel reporting via SAFIS eTrips. Fishermen reporting via SAFIS eTrips need to list each harvested swordfish, billfish, or bluefin tuna individually within their trip report and report them in pounds rather than number caught. This may require changing the ‘Unit of Measure’ from Count to Pounds in SAFIS eTrips.

Atlantic Tunas General or Harpoon Category Permits

Vessel owners or operators with an Atlantic Tunas General category or Harpoon category permit are required to report the number and length of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing or end of each trip. This is in addition to any reports submitted by dealers. 

Landings and dead discards must be reported online via the HMS Permit Shop or using the reporting app or through SAFIS eTrips Mobile or Online. 

The option to use SAFIS eTrips is available for HMS permit holders that also possess federal or state permits that require vessel reporting via SAFIS eTrips. Fishermen reporting via SAFIS eTrips need to list each harvested swordfish, billfish, or bluefin tuna individually within their trip report and report them in pounds rather than number caught. This may require changing the ‘Unit of Measure’ from Count to Pounds in SAFIS eTrips.

Atlantic Tunas Longline or Purse Seine Category Permits

Fishermen with an Atlantic Tunas Longline category or Purse Seine category permit must report through a vessel monitoring system within 12 hours of completing each set. 

Vessel operators must also coordinate with the federal dealer purchasing their bluefin tuna and other HMS catch to verify the weight of all retained bluefin and enter the number and length of all bluefin discarded dead into the Individual Bluefin Quota Program online system. 

Additional information is available in our commercial compliance guide. 

Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, and Yellowfin Tuna

Regardless of your permit type, you can be selected for our logbook program or required to carry a NOAA Fisheries observer. Details on logbook and observer requirements are available in the compliance guide. 

If you land these tuna species on a vessel that also holds a permit issued by the Greater Atlantic Regional Office, you must record your landings of these species using the Northeast Vessel Trip Report system. 

Sharks

Directed and Incidental Shark Permits

Selected fishermen with a commercial directed or incidental shark permit are required to report fishing activities in an approved logbook within 48 hours of completing that day’s fishing activities—of before offloading if that is sooner. 

You will receive a letter from NOAA Fisheries if you are selected for a logbook program. Additional information is available in our commercial compliance guide. 

Swordfish

Regardless of your permit type, vessels with pelagic longline gear on board must follow additional reporting requirements, including ones related to bluefin tuna interactions. Additional information is available in Section VII of our commercial compliance guide.

You may also be required to carry a NOAA Fisheries observer. Details on observer requirements are also available in the compliance guide. 

Directed and Incidental Swordfish Permits

Selected fishermen with a commercial directed or incidental swordfish permit are required to report fishing activities in an approved logbook within 48 hours of each day’s fishing activities—or before offloading for one-day trips if that is sooner. You must submit the logbook to NOAA Fisheries within seven days of offloading. 

You will receive a letter from NOAA Fisheries if you are selected for a logbook program. 

Additional information is available in our commercial compliance guide. 

Incidental HMS Squid Trawl Permit 

Vessels issued an Incidental Squid Trawl permit must report their swordfish landings using the Northeast Vessel Trip Report system. 

Commercial Caribbean Small Boat

Fishermen with a Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit must abide by their territorial reporting requirements and other applicable territorial commercial fishing requirements.

Dealers

The information below is a summary of reporting requirements by species. Additional information is also available in our dealer compliance guide. 

Learn more about Atlantic HMS dealer reporting  

Dealer reporting frequently asked questions

Bluefin Tuna

Atlantic bluefin tuna dealers must submit:

• A daily landing report for each bluefin received from a permitted U.S. vessel through the Standard Atlantic Fishery Information System electronic dealer reporting system. 
• Biweekly reports using forms available online or by emailing BFT Reporting.

If you purchase a bluefin tuna from a pelagic longline or purse seine fisherman, you must also report that purchase in the Individual Bluefin Quota Program online system. 

Sharks, Swordfish, and Other Atlantic Tunas

Dealers must submit weekly electronic reports, even if you did not purchase one of these highly migratory species that week. Reports for each week must be submitted no later than midnight on Tuesday of the following week. 

You cannot purchase an Atlantic swordfish, shark, or albacore, bigeye, skipjack, or yellowfin tuna unless you have submitted all required weekly electronic reports. 

Additional Resources

• Recreational Reporting Flyer: Full Page (8.5"x11") (PDF, 1 page)
• Recreational Reporting Flyer: 2/page (5"x6.25") (PDF, 1 page)
• Recreational Reporting Flyer: Spanish (PDF, 2 pages)
• International Fisheries Trade Permit and HMS Reporting Requirements
• HMS Observer Notification Form (PDF, 2 pages)
• Vessel Monitoring System Certification Statement (PDF, 2 pages)
• Coastal Fisheries Vessel Logbook Form
• Pelagic Fisheries Vessel Logbook Form
• Vessel Monitoring Systems Reimbursement Form
• Marine Mammal Authorization Program Mortality/Injury Reporting