Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2021 Closure for Spiny Lobster in the U.S. Caribbean Off Puerto Rico
catch-limit · south atlantic · lobster · Published 2021-07-29 · Effective 2021-08-22 · 86 FR 40787
Document
Document number
2021-16170
Federal Register citation
86 FR 40787
Type
Rule
Action
Temporary rule; closures.
Category
catch-limit
Region
south atlantic
Species
lobster
Publication date
2021-07-29
Effective date
2021-08-22
NOAA docket
Docket No. 150623546-6395-02
Abstract
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for spiny lobster in the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Puerto Rico. NMFS has determined that the annual catch limit (ACL) for spiny lobster in Puerto Rico was exceeded based on average landings during the 2017 through 2019 fishing years. Therefore, NMFS reduces the length of the 2021 fishing season for spiny lobster in the EEZ around Puerto Rico by the amount necessary to ensure that landings do not exceed the ACL in 2021. This AM is necessary to protect the spiny lobster resource in the EEZ around Puerto Rico.