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Highly Migratory Species

Underwater view of an Atlantic blue marlin swimming in open ocean, showing its long pointed bill, streamlined blue-silver body, tall dorsal fin, and forked tail used for species identification.
An Atlantic blue marlin swimming underwater, displaying its elongated bill, sleek blue-silver body, and powerful forked tail—distinctive features that help identify this iconic offshore game fish found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters. Photo by Brian Brady.


Highly Migratory Species Permit Holder

Effective December 22, 2025, anglers and charter captains in Maryland possessing Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permits from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be required to report recreationally landed bluefin tuna and dead discards, plus non-tournament landings of billfishes and swordfish electronically, using either the HMS Catch Reporting smartphone app, HMS permits website, or through alternate reporting programs specified below. HMS catch reports must be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of completing the fishing trip.

A valid Atlantic HMS permit is required to fish for or keep Atlantic tunas, billfishes, swordfish, and sharks in federal waters.

HMS reporting options provided by NMFS include:

  1. Online at the HMS Permit Shop
  2. Via the HMS Catch Reporting smartphone app,
  3. By calling the HMS Permit Shop Customer Service Line at (888) 872-8862.

Additionally, for-hire captains, or other fishermen, that submit vessel trip or logbook reports via SAFIS eTrips (Mobile or Online), or Bluefin Data LLC’s VESL program, will not be required to submit separate HMS catch reports, as long as their trip reports are submitted within 24 hours of completing the trip. Captains reporting bluefin tuna, billfish, and swordfish landings via eTrips and the VESL program must report each landed fish separately, including the length and weight (actual or estimated) of each fish. Captains are responsible for making sure they are using a reporting platform that meets the requirements of their various federal permits.

More information on HMS reporting requirements is available on the NOAA Atlantic Highly Migratory Species reporting page or through the NOAA HMS permits website.

It is Illegal

  • To sell, barter, or trade sharks or shark parts.
  • To engage in shark finning.
  • To fillet sharks at sea. All sharks caught by an angler must have heads, tails, and fins attached naturally to the carcass through landing.

Shark Gear Restrictions

Anglers may use only handlines or rod and reel and must use corrodible, non-stainless circle hooks except when fishing with artificial flies/lures. You must have a device with you that is capable of quickly cutting either the leader or the hook.

Bluefin Tuna

Illustration of an Atlantic bluefin tuna showing a torpedo-shaped body with a dark blue back, silvery sides, yellow finlets, and a deeply forked tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of an Atlantic bluefin tuna highlighting its powerful, streamlined body, dark blue upper coloration, silver sides, and yellow finlets—distinctive features anglers use to identify this large, fast-swimming migratory species found in Maryland’s offshore Atlantic waters.

Blue Marlin

Illustration of an Atlantic blue marlin showing a long pointed bill, deep blue upper body, silver underside, tall dorsal fin, and forked tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of an Atlantic blue marlin highlighting its elongated bill, sleek blue-and-silver body, tall dorsal fin, and powerful forked tail—distinctive features used to identify this iconic offshore game fish found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

White Marlin

Illustration of a white marlin showing a slender body with blue vertical striping, a long pointed bill, tall dorsal fin, and deeply forked tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of a white marlin highlighting its slender profile, blue vertical striping along the sides, elongated bill, and forked tail—key features anglers use to identify this fast-swimming offshore game fish found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Roundscale Spearfish

Illustration of a roundscale spearfish showing a slender blue-and-silver body with faint vertical striping, a long pointed bill, tall dorsal fin, and forked tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of a roundscale spearfish highlighting its streamlined body, subtle vertical striping, elongated bill, and tall dorsal fin—distinctive features anglers use to identify this rare offshore billfish found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Sailfish

Illustration of a sailfish showing a long pointed bill, slender blue-and-silver body, deeply forked tail, and a large sail-like dorsal fin raised along the back, used for species identification.
An illustration of a sailfish highlighting its elongated bill, streamlined blue-and-silver body, and distinctive sail-like dorsal fin—key features anglers use to identify this fast-swimming offshore game fish found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Swordfish

Illustration of a swordfish showing a long, flat bill, dark brown to black upper body, lighter underside, tall dorsal fin, and crescent-shaped tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of a swordfish highlighting its distinctive flat, sword-like bill, streamlined dark upper body, and powerful crescent-shaped tail—key features used to identify this iconic offshore predator found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Illustrations by Kevin Ensor, MD DNR

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