NOAA Issues Final Rule to Protect Red Hind Spawning Aggregations in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a final rule to implement a regulatory amendment for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, aimed at protecting red hind spawning aggregations. The rule adds new seasonal/area closures to prohibit fishing in these areas during the spawning season, while also making minor adjustments to the mutton snapper spawning aggregation area.