National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Goes to Online Billfish Reporting

Effective October 17 of this year, anglers should report non-tournament landings of Atlantic marlins, sailfish and swordfish to the NMFS online through the new web-based reporting system at http://www.hmspermits.gov.

To log on and report a swordfish or billfish landing anglers will to have their Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or Charter/Headboat permit number handy, along with their trip date, catch and fishing gear information. A confirmation number will be provided after a successful complete report. Tournament landings information will continue to be provided to the NMFS by tournament directors. While switching to online reporting as the primary portal, the agency will continue to man the toll free phone number currently in use.

TBF reminds all billfish anglers that timely and accurate reporting of landings is a vital element of fisheries conservation and management.