Caribbean Fishery Bulletin Bringing Fishing News to You
FB22-028 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: May 19, 2022 CONTACT: María del Mar López-Mercer, 727-824-5305, maria.lopez@noaa.gov
Request for Comments: Proposed Rule to Implement the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix Fishery Management Plans Key Message: NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule to implement three new islandbased fishery management plans that would replace the four existing U.S. Caribbean-wide fishery management plans (Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates, and Queen Conch). This action would transition the management of fishery resources in federal waters in the U.S. Caribbean from a U.S. Caribbean-wide approach to an island-based approach. Summary of Proposed Changes: The island-based fishery management plans retain most of the management measures established under the U.S. Caribbean-wide fishery management plans that apply to the respective island management areas, including seasonal and area closures, minimum size limits, and recreational bag limits. In addition, the island-based fishery management plans revise certain management measures, such as the species included for federal management, to adapt to the individual characteristics of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix. The proposed rule would reorganize the current regulations into three separate island-specific subparts, retaining management measures applicable to the specific management areas, and implement other management measures from the approved island-based fishery management plans. For each fishery management plan, the proposed rule would: • • • •
Specify the stocks and stock complexes under management. Specify annual catch limits for the stocks and stock complexes. Specify annual catch targets for pelagic stocks or stock complexes. Specify accountability measures.