Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Implementation Plan

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Atlantic Highly Migratory Species include some of the most prized sport fish species in the world, including blue and white marlin; bluefin, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna; sailfish; sharks; and swordfish. These species support recreational fisheries in waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Texas, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike other recreational fisheries managed federally under the regional fishery management council process, the Atlantic HMS Management Division oversees all aspects of HMS recreational and commercial fisheries management. This includes implementation of regulations and initiation of operational actions, such as catch and size limits; permitting; quota implementation, monitoring, and in-season fishery management; and data collection. 

In 2022, the Atlantic HMS Management Division issued approximately 24,000 recreational HMS angling vessel permits and more than 4,000 HMS charter/headboat vessel permits. Additionally, an average of 250 Atlantic HMS fishing tournaments take place each year (2003–2022), which affects several species, especially blue and white marlin, sailfish, and yellowfin tuna. HMS tournaments can range from small club events to massive week-long events that attract hundreds of vessels and award prizes in the millions of dollars. In 2022, the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, attracted more than 400 vessels and awarded $8.6 million in prizes. In 2018, NOAA Fisheries estimated the HMS recreational fishery, including tournaments, contributed at least $500 million annually to the U.S. economy. NOAA Fisheries’ goal of improving recreational fishing opportunities for Atlantic HMS is largely supported through ensuring the health and sustainability of these fish stocks.

NOAA Fisheries represents U.S. conservation and fishing interests in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which oversees the conservation and management of various Atlantic HMS. Fully harvesting U.S. quotas, recreational and commercial alike, benefits all U.S. fishermen and maintains the strength of the U.S. voice in the international arena. U.S. fishermen provide valuable observations about bluefin tuna and other species in workshops with NOAA scientists, which helped inform an important catch index used in the most recent ICCAT stock assessment. The positive results of the bluefin tuna stock assessment increased the overall U.S. quota by approximately 5 percent. Successful fisheries management requires the fishing community to understand management measures and share their experience with managers and scientists. 

Support, Maintain, and Recover Sustainable Saltwater Recreational and Non-Commercial Fisheries Resources, Including Protected Species, and Healthy Marine and Estuarine Habitats

Support HMS Research and Stock Assessments

Improve understanding of fish migration, movement, and stock status by supporting HMS stock assessments to provide a better picture of stock health and improve fisheries management for recreational and commercial users. The project supports guiding principles 1, 2, 5, and 6. Metrics of success include the number of tags distributed and deployed, completion of stock assessments on time, and acceptance by peer review.

Conduct and Support HMS Cooperative Tagging and Sampling Programs to Improve Biological Understanding of HMS Fish Stocks

HMS partners with shark researchers at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Apex Predator Program, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center tunas and billfish researchers to conduct and support cooperative tagging and sampling programs that work with recreational anglers and for-hire captains to collect valuable biological samples and data on HMS movements. The action supports guiding principles 4 and 5. Metrics of success include the number of anglers recruited to participate and the number of HMS species tagged and reported to NOAA Fisheries.

Promote Best Practices for Safely Handling and Releasing Highly Migratory Species

Improve angler awareness and conservation outcomes for released tunas, billfish, and sharks by supporting research and promoting best practices. This project supports guiding principles 4 and 6. Metrics of success include the number of anglers reached and adoption of best practices.

Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Saltwater Recreational and Non-Commercial Fishing for the Social, Cultural, and Economic Benefit of the Nation

HMS Angling Expenditure Survey 

Analyze newly acquired angler expenditure survey data to update characterization of the economic contributions of Atlantic HMS angler expenditures on durable and non-durable goods. The project supports guiding principles 5 and 6. Metrics of success include publishing a final report for use in management and regulatory analyses. 

Engage Atlantic HMS Constituents

Improve two-way communication, identification, and understanding of constituent priorities by conducting regular on-the-ground outreach efforts at boating and recreational fishing events, including registered HMS tournaments. The action supports guiding principles 5 and 6. Metrics of success include staff participation in events and number of anglers reached. 

Explore Ways to Maximize Enforcement, Education, and Outreach

Maximize partnership and outreach opportunities between the Office of Law Enforcement and Joint Enforcement Agreement partners in efforts to maintain a sustainable and equitably managed HMS recreational fishery. The action supports guiding principles 1 and 6. Metrics of success include the number of OLE interactions with HMS anglers and increased reporting compliance.

Enable Enduring Participation In, and Enjoyment Of, Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Through Science-Based Conservation and Management

Large Pelagics Survey Redesign and Transition

Improve the quality of large pelagics/HMS catch and effort estimates by completing a redesign of the the Large Pelagics Survey. The project supports guiding principles 4 and 5. Metrics of success include completion of pilot projects, calibration of time series, and implementation of improved methodology. 

Monitoring Shark Depredation in NOAA Fisheries Surveys

Incorporate shark depredation data elements into existing recreational data collections, as appropriate, to better understand the spatial and temporal extent of shark depredation in recreational fisheries. The action supports guiding principles 4 and 5. Metrics of success include incorporation of depredation data elements into existing collection and the number of depredation reports. 

Shark Depredation Citizen Science

Better understand depredation dynamics and how they influence angler fishing behavior by developing and adding a shark depredation tracking component to a citizen science mobile app (SciFish) to collect detailed data from anglers. The project supports guiding principles 4 and 5. Metrics of success include development of the application and the number of application downloads.

Expand For-Hire Reporting Program for Atlantic HMS

Consider requiring HMS Charter/Headboat permit holders to submit trip reports via electronic logbook to improve the science and decision-making. The project supports guiding principles 3 and 4. Metrics of success include discussing with HMS Advisory Panel and the public, completion of rulemaking (if appropriate), and reporting on compliance rates.

Improve Angler Catch Reporting

Conduct a public engagement campaign to improve angler awareness of and compliance with reporting requirements for Atlantic HMS. The action supports guiding principles 1 and 6. Metrics of success include the numbers of anglers reached and improved angler reporting rates. 

Support HMS Tournaments and Provide Opportunities to Obtain Recreational Catch and Biological Data on a Variety Of HMS Species

Continue to administer tournament registration and reporting in order to quantify the extent and impact of these events. The action supports guiding principles 2 and 5. Metrics of success include the number of tournaments registered, the number of tournaments receiving outreach materials on time, and the level of compliance with tournament reporting requirements.

Support the One-Stop Reporting Initiative to Reduce Reporting Burden on HMS Permit Holders

Continue working with internal and external agency partners to ensure the conversion to and expansion of electronic reporting platforms leads to the development of one-stop reporting options that minimize the overall reporting burden to fisheries permit holders. The action supports guiding principles 3 and 5. Metrics of success include the inclusion of HMS catch reporting data elements into additional reporting options like VESL and electronic vessel trip reporting.

Advance Climate-Ready Policies and Programs to Respond to Climate-Driven Changes and Impacts on Fishery Resources and the Ecosystem

Better Understand and Respond to Climate Driven Impacts on Atlantic HMS Fisheries

• Collaborate with the Office of Science and Technology to examine the need and feasibility of adjusting the Large Pelagic Survey in reaction to climate-driven impacts
• Complete a climate vulnerability assessment for HMS fisheries with the Northeast and Southeast Fisheries Science centers

The project supports guiding principles 3 and 4. Metrics of success include necessity to adjust the large pelagics survey, completion of a climate vulnerability survey, and availability of new climate-related information.

Pursue and Support Equitable Treatment and Meaningful Involvement of Underserved and Underrepresented Communities in Recreational and Non-Commercial Fisheries and Stewardship

Translation of Educational and Outreach Materials

Provide non-English versions of educational materials in print and online formats. The project supports guiding principles 2 and 6. Metric of success is the release of translated materials for non-English-speaking recreational fishing communities.

Increase Diversity on the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel

Facilitate the recruitment of new, and more diverse, representatives of HMS fishery interest groups. The project supports guiding principles 2 and 6. The metric of success is assessing/improving the demographic composition of the Atlantic HMS Advisory Panel.