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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: https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/loginPub,
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 can be found online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-reporting or https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/.
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