Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Information and FAQs

• NMFS Southwest Region HMS Information
• HMS EFP Process
• HMS Permits
• Federal Register Notices related to HMS FMP implementation
• Other FMP-related documents available from the NMFS SWR website
• Frequently Asked Questions (adapted from the NMFS HMS Compliance Guide)

NMFS Southwest Region HMS Information

• Visit the NMFS Southwest Region HMS webpage

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HMS EFP Process

• Protocol for Consideration of Exempted Fishing Permits for Highly Migratory Species Fisheries
• Visit the Council's HMS EFP Webpage

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HMS Permits

Commercial fishing vessels, including recreational charter vessels, must now have a federal permit. It’s free and an application form can be downloaded from the NMFS Southwest Region website. An accompanying Notice to Vessel Owners and Operators explains the permit application process.

Western Fishboat Owner's Association “regulatory hassles” information sheet (December 2006).

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Federal Register Notices related to HMS FMP implementation:

• Final Rule for HMS Fishery Management Plan (PDF)
• Highly Migratory Species Data Collection Requirements for U.S. Commercial and Recreational Charter Vessels (PDF)

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Other FMP-related documents available from the NMFS SWR website

• Characterization of Recent U.S. North Pacific Albacore Commercial Fishing Effort (PFMC and SWFSC)
• HMS FMP Biological Opinion (PDF)
• Appendices (PDF)
• USFWS HMS Biological Opinion on Short-tailed Albatross (PDF)
• Notice for Vessel Owners/Operators of California Purse Seine Fisheries (PDF)

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Frequently Asked Questions (adapted from the NMFS HMS Compliance Guide)

Download the NMFS HMS FMP Compliance Guide (PDF) or click on one of the following FAQs:

1. What species are managed under the HMS FMP?


2. Are there any quotas or harvest guidelines?


3. What species are prohibited to retain?


4. What fishing gear is allowed?


5. If I fish with non-HMS gear, can I keep any HMS as incidental catch?


6. Can I keep any HMS catch if fishing with a drift gillnet under 14 inches stretched mesh as permitted by state regulations?


7. Can I continue to use small mesh drift gillnets to opportunistically catch albacore while fishing in the surface hook and line fishery?


8. What is the annual fishing season?


9. What is the management area under which these regulations apply?


10. What are the new HMS permit requirements?


11. Do I need to show proof of previous fishing effort and landings to qualify for an HMS permit?


12. Will there be a cost for the new permit?


13. How do I get a permit and what is the deadline for doing so?


14. How do I display my permit once it has been issued?


15. When will my permit expire and how do I renew it?


16. What are the vessel marking requirements?


17. What are the HMS FMP reporting requirements?


18. When do I turn the logbooks in?


19. I already keep a logbook, will I have to fill out a separate logbook under this HMS FMP final rule?


20. What are the HMS FMP regulations for protected species?


21. Am I required to install a Vessel Monitoring System on my boat?


22. What are the requirements for carrying Fishery Observers?


23. If I already carry NMFS observers under the MMPA or the ESA, do I have to take observers under the HMS FMP final rule as well?


24. Will the HMS FMP impose limited entry for any or all of the HMS gear types?


25. What are the penalties for the operator or owner of a vessel that doesn't follow these regulations?

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