Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Featured News
Excavators on the Chequessett Neck Dike over the Herring River. (Credit: Molly Feltner/NOAA)
Woodland Dam (Credit: Maine Department of Marine Resources)
The first sailfish recapture of the season on the charter boat, Relentless. Credit: Captain Paul Ross.
River herring migrating up a Cape Cod stream (Photo: Danielle Weissman/NOAA)
Notices & Rules
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4 categories of fish managed by NOAA Fisheries' Atlantic HMS Program
We manage four categories of fish known as highly migratory species in U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico—tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and sharks. These fish migrate long distances, often crossing domestic and international boundaries.
5 species of billfish are found in Atlantic waters
Billfish, distinguished by a long, round, rough bill, are some of the largest and fastest predators in the sea. They include blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, longbill spearfish, and roundscale spearfish.
Advisory Bodies
We consult our Advisory Panel when preparing and implementing fishery management plans and amendments. Also, with the help of scientists, fishermen, environmentalists, and others, we conduct domestic shark stock assessments through the Southeast Data, Assessment,and Review (SEDAR) process.
Permits
There are a variety of permitting requirements associated with fishing for Atlantic HMS. Check out permit information for commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, for-hire fishing, and dealers and import/export.
Workshops
NOAA Fisheries requires certain HMS permit holders to attend educational workshops. HMS permit holders using pelagic longline, bottom longline, or gillnet gear must attend Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops. Federal shark dealer permit holders must attend Atlantic Shark Identification workshops.
Learn more about Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Bycatch Reduction
In HMS fisheries, bycatch of HMS species and protected species such as sea turtles and whales are of particular concern. NOAA Fisheries is working to ensure fisheries remain sustainable and protected species are given their best chance to recover and has a number of resources and authorities to track bycatch, encourage innovation, and reduce bycatch.
Tournaments
Atlantic HMS tournaments are fishing events that award points or prizes for the catch and release or landing of sharks, tunas, billfish, or swordfish in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea.
International
Atlantic HMS species live throughout the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico and often migrate long distances. Because these species cross domestic and international boundaries, responsible management of Atlantic HMS requires international cooperation. We do this through a number of international agreements, including the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Understanding Atlantic Shark Fishing
U.S. shark fishermen work under some of the most robust environmental standards in the world.
Multimedia
Excavators on the Chequessett Neck Dike over the Herring River. (Credit: Molly Feltner/NOAA)
River herring migrating up a Cape Cod stream (Photo: Danielle Weissman/NOAA)
An oceanic whitetip shark swims near the surface of the water. Photo courtesy of John Carlson.