In many instances, when we talk about laws, regulations, and fishing closures in the US Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), we find ourselves looking at the distinctions between local and federal waters. Federal waters are also known as Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ).
It is important to know which are the limits of the federal waters (EEZ) and the local waters of Puerto Rico and the USVI. There are laws and regulations that change depending on the area where you are. Remember that the EEZ begins just where the state or jurisdictional waters end.
In the case of Puerto Rico, local waters go from the coast, 0 nautical miles (NM), to 9NM offshore. In the case of the USVI, local waters go from the coast, 0NM, to 3NM. Therefore, the EEZ for Puerto Rico begins at 9NM off the coast and extends at 200NM. For the USVI, the EEZ begins at 3NM and extends to 200MN.
Before going fishing, review which laws and regulations apply in your fishing area. Check carefully which are the prohibitions, seasonal closures, and area closures that apply.
Visit https://caribbeanfmc.com/calendars/closed-seasons for more information about fishing closures.
Nelson Crespo Rodríguez was born in Rincón, Puerto Rico, a town very wellknown for its stunning sunsets, beautiful beaches, and spectacular surfing waves. He began to fish at 12 years old with a fisher known as “Pedroza” (Pedro Muñiz) and then he continued fishing with “Pichón” (Sergio Ventura), “Palín” (Pablo Valentín), and Güito (Ángel Crespo).
"With them, I learned the good and the bad things; those were learning years. Over time, I used the best of each one of them to become an independent commercial fisher,” Nelson assured.
Nelson started fishing using seine net but, simultaneously, he also used traps, and fished deep-water snappers He continues using these techniques nowadays.
He mainly fishes deep-water snappers, but also catches lobsters with traps, and uses the seine net mostly to obtain bait for the snappers. However, if while using the seine net they capture a good amount of fish, they sell part of the fish, and the rest is distributed for bait or for consumption at home.
“I always fish with a friend. When we use the seine net, we do it with other fishers and people from the community,” Nelson, who is also a rigger, explained. He assembles boat engines and electrical systems, and installs electronic devices (GPS, fish finder, echo sounders) everything related to assembling a boat
Even though he keeps fishing with the same techniques for more than 40 years, he recognizes that fishing has changed a lot. “It is a world of difference,” Nelson said.
“Although we have common fishing origins, fishing before was more artisanal and we had to build almost all the equipment. We also had to mark points in the mountains to find a fishing area (to triangulate). Now with the GPS technology, fish finder echo sounders, electric reels, etc , life is easier for us, ” Nelson pointed.
Commercial fishing has allowed Nelson to sustain his family and see them grow. Nowadays, he has two sons enrolled in the university He raised them thanks to fishing which, for him, is an activity that he enjoys and values. For Nelson, fishing means a lot more than a simple job.
“Besides being a job that provides sustenance for the family, fishing is like therapy. You forget about your problemas and personally, I don’t see it as a job because I love it and I don’t become tired of it,” Nelson expressed.
Just like other fishers, Nelson is interested in taking care of the resource and fish in a way that other generations can also enjoy fishing resources.
“For me, sustainable fishing is when we look for a balance between a resource and fishing, and learn how to use it without causing harm. Let me explain, it is like a bank account, if you don’t manage it well, you will be broke. If I, as a fisherman, do not manage a fishery correctly, I will be left with nothing.
A fisherman has to know when he has to move from one area to another in order to avoid fishing pressure in a zone and the risk of depleting all the resources of the area. This balance is very important to maintain the resource health and allow the reproduction of the species so the fishery can continue being productive,” Nelson explained.
Searching for the balance between the resource health and fishing, Nelson became actively involved in the CFMC. He was a member of the Council and presently, he is the Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel Chair in the CFMC. Nelson values this experience and describes it as fulfilling.
“Besides being a continuous challenge, it is an opportunity where each day I learn more. The knowledge gained is valuable and we try to convey the message in the best way possible, for the sake of our fishing resources. The work that the Council does is very important, not only for fishery management but also for the benefit of recreational and commercial fishing as well, and often we do not see it in that way. The Fishery Council always looks for that balance where the fisheries and the fishers can interact in the best way possible,” Nelson said regarding his experience in the Council.
Nelson also strongly believes that participation of all sectors is very important for the efficient and effective management of the fishing resource. Nelson feels very satisfied when he sees how participation of fishers have been increasing and also the frequency with which he receives phone calls. Many ask him about the meetings and how they can participate.
“Always I tell my buddies that they should participate as often as possible, and above all, that they cannot stay quiet, they have to tell what they think although they feel that it is wrong. Many times, I have seen that comments that they believe are not important, make the difference in a topic that is being discussed. We should remain strong and continue participating and contributing,” Nelson stated.
"Fishers must make the Council aware of their concerns. Nobody knows everything. Sometimes, people do not take a course of action simply because there is no knowledge of what is happening," Nelson pointed.
Regarding the future of fishing, Nelson believes that “ we are in the right direction”.
For Nelson, several entities--for example, the CFMC, Sea Grant, and Conservación Conciencia--, social media used as an educational resource, and the support of independent groups have been key in the moment of raising a voice and exposing the different concerns of the fishers.
“Day after day, fishers and other sectors are showing a growing interest in participating and contributing to the development of the management plans. This is something that I like because the fishing community is creating awareness about the importance of protecting our resources and having healthy fisheries, so we can continue making a living out of fishing for a long time without the fear of losing our resources, ” Nelson expressed.
New generations of fishers are coming and they are learning just like Nelson did when he was a teenager learning how to fish. Nelson has a message for them, and also for not so young fishers:
“Learn how to live from the resource without causing harm to it. Look for orientation and advice from experienced fishers, and do not get discouraged if something goes wrong. This is part of learning and you will use it for your benefit. I encourage more experienced fishers to support the new ones and help them to fish in a responsible and productive manner. Knowledge should be shared and teach the young fishers that are growing. If you keep it to yourself, your passage through life will be futile ”
*The CFMC acknowledges Nelson Crespo for the interview and the information provided.
Harvest of spiny lobster (commercial and recreational) in federal waters off Puerto Rico will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 22, 2021, and will re-open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 1, 2021.
The annual catch limit for spiny lobster in Puerto Rico is 327,920 pounds. Based on the average of the three most recent years of available landings, from the 2017-2019 fishing years, NOAA Fisheries determined that the annual catch limit for spiny lobster was exceeded.
As a result, an accountability measure is applied, reducing the length of the 2021 fishing season for spiny lobster in federal waters of Puerto Rico. Harvest of this species will close at the date and time specified above. This closure is necessary to protect the spiny lobster resource in federal waters off Puerto Rico
