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Request for Comments on an Amendment to Modify Buoy Gear Definition and Use in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters

April 06, 2023

FB23-020: Caribbean Fishery Bulletin. For more information, contact: Maria Lopez-Mercer, 727-824-5305, maria.lopez@noaa.gov

Para español, por favor haga clic aquí

 

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on Amendment 1 to each of the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Management Plans (Amendment 1).  Each Amendment 1 addresses the use and definition of buoy gear, which is a type of hook-and-line gear type used by commercial fishermen targeting deep-water reef fish in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Buoy gear is also known as “cala con boya” in Puerto Rico and as “deep-drop buoy gear” in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

Comments are due by June 05, 2023.

 

Summary of Proposed Changes:

Amendment 1 to each of the fishery management plans and the proposed rule would:

  • Prohibit the use of buoy gear by the recreational sector in U.S. Caribbean federal waters.
  • Modify the regulatory definition of buoy gear in U.S. Caribbean federal waters to increase the maximum number of hooks allowed from 10 to 25 for fisheries where buoy gear is authorized.

 

The purpose of the amendments is to allow commercial fishermen targeting deep-water fish, including snappers and groupers, in U.S. Caribbean federal waters to use buoy gear with up to 25 hooks, while protecting deep-water reef fish resources and habitats from potential effects that might result from the use of buoy gear by the recreational sector.

 

How to Comment on the Notice of Availability:

The comment period is open now through June 05, 2023.  You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail.  Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

 

Formal Federal Register Name/Number:  88 FR 20453, published April 06, 2023

Electronic Submissions:  Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA_FRDOC_0001-6559

2. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail:  Submit written comments to Maria Lopez-Mercer, Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NOAA Fisheries announcing today?

  • NOAA Fisheries is announcing a public comment period for Amendment 1 to each of the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Management Plans to prohibit the use of buoy gear by the recreational sector in U.S. Caribbean federal waters and modify the regulatory definition of buoy gear to increase the maximum number of hooks allowed from 10 to 25 in U.S. Caribbean federal waters for fisheries where buoy gear is authorized.
  • The comment period on the amendments is open from April 6, 2023, through June 5, 2023.
  • NOAA Fisheries will also publish a proposed rule to implement Amendment 1 to the fishery management plans.  Another fishery bulletin to request comments will be sent at that time.  Comments on both Amendment 1 to the fishery management plans and the proposed rule will be considered in the final rule.

Why are we doing this proposed action?

  • Buoy gear is currently listed as an authorized gear type for those fishing commercially for reef fish and pelagic species managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council.  Buoy gear is also listed as an authorized gear type for those fishing commercially and recreationally for species that are not managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council in federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John, but there is no evidence that the recreational sector operating in U.S. Caribbean federal waters uses or has used buoy gear in federal waters.
  • Through Amendment 1 to the fishery management plans, NOAA Fisheries and the Caribbean Fishery Management Council are taking a precautionary approach to prevent any future use of buoy gear by the recreational sector to fish for any species (i.e., managed and non-managed species) in federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John.  This action aims to (1) reduce potential competition for fishing grounds between commercial and recreational user groups, (2) reduce any additional recreational fishing-related pressure on deep-water snapper and grouper resources, and (3) eliminate potential safety at sea concerns associated with recreational use of buoy gear at the deep-water reef fish fishing grounds.
  • Amendment 1 to the fishery management plans would also modify the definition of buoy gear in U.S. Caribbean federal waters, increasing the maximum number of hooks allowed between the buoy and the terminal end from 10 to 25.  This change would apply to the commercial harvest of both Caribbean Fishery Management Council-managed fisheries and non-managed fisheries and would allow those fishing in federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John to legally use the same gear configuration used by commercial fishermen in state waters.
  • The definition for buoy gear as it applies to the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic would not change as a result of this action.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 1?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

     By Mail:  Maria Lopez-Mercer

     NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

     Sustainable Fisheries Division

     263 13th Avenue South

     St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

     By FAX:  (727) 824-5308

     By Phone:  (727) 824-5305


Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS).  Standard message & data rates may apply.  You may opt-out at any time.

 

Text alerts you may receive include:

  • Immediate fishery openings and closures
  • Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

 

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

  • Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
  • Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text CARIBFISH to 888777

 

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox:  The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701).  You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers.  Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application.  The mailbox will be checked daily.  For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on April 06, 2023