In the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC)'s bulletin you will find announcements, facts about marine species, and valuable information on fishing and regulations that rule this activity in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
WHERE DOES THE FISHERY COUNCIL GET STARTED?
This question is asked in workshops, meetings, and out in the streets. Many people see the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) and ask us what it is or why it represents This is a very valid question, and one with a 47-year history behind it. Up ahead, we will present you just a bit of that history.
1976
This MSA’s objectives include:
Preventing overfishing
Rebuilding overfished stocks.
Increasing long-term economic and social benefits.
Ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of seafood.
Protecting habitat that fish need to spawn, breed, feed, and grow to maturity.
CFMC
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was enacted by the US Congress.
March 2023 UPDATES
www caribbeanfmc com 01 / 04
The MSA established 8 Regional Councils and extends United States jurisdiction up to 200 nautical miles off the coasts. Look at the map below to see how the US Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the USVI) are covered in this jurisdiction.
The councils are responsible for:
Develop and amend fishery management plans
Convene committees and advisory panels and conduct public meetings. Develop research priorities in conjunction with a Scientific and Statistical Committee. Select fishery management options. Set annual catch limits based on best available science
Develop and implement rebuilding plans.
The US Congress has made two major revisions to the Act. While in this newsletter we will only mention them, future newsletters will provide more in-depth information about these changes and additions to the Act:
The Sustainable Fisheries Act, 1996
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, 2007
Each Council has representatives from coastal states and fishing constituents (for instance, commercial and recreational fisherfolk, charters, managers, fishery scientists, and others)
In addition, on December 31st, 2018, the Magnuson-Stevens Act was amended by the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act.
March 2023 CFMC UPDATES
www caribbeanfmc com 02 / 04
The map presented below shows the 8 Councils’ distribution.
JOEL GONZÁLEZ GONZÁLEZ FISHER OF THE MONTH
Joel González González is a commercial fisherman from Aguada, Puerto Rico. He has been fishing since he was 5 years old. His grandfather was a lifelong fisherman. Joel learned how to fish from several local fishers in Aguada, particularly those who cast nets.
He prefers to use seine nets, hook and line. For the most part, Joel catches silk snappers, queen snappers, and different species of tunas. His fishing companion has a special permit allowing queen snapper capture
Joel is the President of the Aguada Fishers Association and a member of the CFMC Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel since 2022. For him, this has been an experience, rich in learning and personal growth
“I’ve enjoyed being able to listen to fishers from other areas who use different fishing styles; just like I’ve enjoyed listening to scientists who have very important information for us. This scientific information is necessary for us to continue collaborating and contributing with our own experiences during our careers at sea,” he stated.
Just like many other fishers, Joel is disturbed by the current state of our marine and coastal resources.
“There are many things that worry me One of them is coastal erosion and the issue of all the construction along the coasts. This makes things difficult for fisherfolk since it impedes our access to the sea. Places that were excellent to fish in can no longer be used, since there’s no more space for you to go and do what you know. Also, lots of species have been hurt by what we’ve done to our local bodies of water. This is a major concern for myself and for my colleagues,” he explained.
Joel hopes to continue fishing for a long time and collaborate with the fishers in the District Advisory Panel.
Note: The CFMC likes to thank Joel González for the interview and the photo he provided for this bulletin
March 2023 CFMC UPDATES www caribbeanfmc com 03 / 04
UNDER FEDERAL FISHING CLOSURES YEAR-ROUND!
QueenConch (Aligergigas)
BlueParrotfish (Scaruscoeruleus)
MidnightParrotfish (Scaruscoelestinus)
RainbowParrotfish (Scarusguacamaia)
DO NOT FISH, TRANSPORT, SELL, BUY, OR CONSUME SPECIES UNDER CLOSURE!
To view the fishing closure calendar, visit: https://caribbeanfmc.com/calendars/closed-seasons.
These species are under closure in federal waters throughout the year: FIND US ON: www.caribbeanfmc.com
The illustrations used in this bulletin were provided by Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program
GoliathGrouper (Epinephelusitajara)
NassauGrouper (Epinephelusstriatus)
www caribbeanfmc com 04 / 04 March 2023 CFMC UPDATES
