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

Özet

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in 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), as prepared by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule and Amendment 2 would prohibit and restrict the use of certain net gear in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters and would require a descending device to be available and ready for use on vessels when fishing for federally managed reef fish species in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters. The purpose of this proposed rule and 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.