South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Caribbean Fishery Management Council and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

Resumen

The South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils (Councils) will hold a public scoping meeting regarding amending the spiny lobster fishery management plan to address the importation of spiny lobster products that do not meet U.S. conservation standards. The amendment will examine various alternatives to restrict imports of spiny lobster into the United States to a minimum acceptable length and/or weight. Spiny Lobsters are currently being imported below the U.S. minimum size limits. Much of the imported lobster does not meet the minimum size limits in the country of origin. This is adversely impacting recruitment throughout Florida and the Caribbean and, as a result, the status of spiny lobster in Caribbean and U.S. waters because of the distribution and dispersal of larvae.