Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coral Reef Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 1

Résumé

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (FMP). The rule establishes a marine conservation district (MCD) in the exclusive economic zone in an area known as the Hind Bank, southwest of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Within the MCD, fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels is prohibited. The intended effect is to protect important marine resources.