Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Spiny Lobster Trap Fishery of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI); Control Date

Résumé

This notice announces the establishment of a control date of September 1, 2017, that the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) may use if it decides to create restrictions limiting participation in the spiny lobster trap fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off St. Thomas and St. John, or St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Persons entering the fishery in either area after the control date will not be assured of future access should a management regime that limits participation in the fishery be prepared and implemented. NMFS invites comments on the establishment of this control date.