Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Red Hind Spawning Aggregations

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NMFS issues this final rule to implement a regulatory amendment prepared by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) in accordance with framework procedures for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (FMP). The regulatory amendment adjusts the boundary of the existing red hind spawning aggregation seasonal/area closure in the EEZ off western Puerto Rico and adds two additional red hind spawning aggregation seasonal/area closures. The intended effect is to protect red hind spawning aggregations by prohibiting fishing in these areas during the spawning season. This rule also contains a technical change to the regulations to alter minimally the boundary of the mutton snapper spawning aggregation area off the southwest coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), to make it compatible with USVI regulations.