HMS Compliance Guide: Commercial Fishing - Guide for Complying with the Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, Shark, and Billfish Regulations

Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) include tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfishes. These species are managed in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) under the authority of the Secretary of Commerce, with consideration for the domestic and international aspects of these fisheries. Management of these species is outlined in the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) and its amendments. NOAA Fisheries frequently modifies the regulations to meet fishery management goals and requirements. This guide is intended to provide a plain language summary of how to comply with the HMS regulations for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfishes.