Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Fishery Management Plans of Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John; Amendment 2

Resumen

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 2 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (FMP), Amendment 2 to the St. Croix FMP, and Amendment 2 to the St. Thomas and St. John FMP (jointly Amendment 2) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 2 would prohibit and restrict the use of certain net gear in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters and would require a descending device be available and ready for use on vessels when fishing for federally managed reef fish in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters. The purpose of Amendment 2 is to protect habitats and species from the potential negative impacts associated with the use of certain net gear and to enhance the survival of released reef fish in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters.