Recreational Atlantic Swordfish Fishery Statuses, Minimum Sizes, and Bag Limits
Check if Atlantic recreational swordfish fisheries are open and review minimum sizes and retention limits by permit.
Current Requirements
Bag limits for recreational Atlantic swordfish vary by permit and vessel type. This page is kept up to date with changing statuses and retention limits. Additional requirements may be applicable. View the HMS Recreational Compliance Guide for details.
Permit Type | Vessel Type | Fishery Status | Minimum Size | Bag Limit* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HMS Angling | N/A | Open | 47" lower-jaw fork length or 25” cleithrum to caudal keel | 1/person up to 4/vessel/trip |
HMS Charter/Headboat when fishing recreationally | Charterboat | Open | 47" lower-jaw fork length or 25” cleithrum to caudal keel | 1/paying passenger up to 6/vessel/trip |
HMS Charter/Headboat when fishing recreationally | Headboat | Open | 47" lower-jaw fork length or 25” cleithrum to caudal keel | 1/paying passenger up to 15/vessel/trip |
*Swordfish cannot be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is on board or has been offloaded from the vessel.
Permits
Vessels must have a valid HMS Angling or HMS Charterboat/Headboat permit to fish for Atlantic swordfish. The permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel. Tournament vessels may instead fish for swordfish with an Atlantic Tunas General category or Swordfish General Commercial permit.
Measurements
Measure lower-jaw fork length in a straight line from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
Measure cleithrum to caudal keel length by following the curve of the fish's body from the cleithrum to the caudal keel.
