Para español, por favor haga clic aquí
Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries announces the implementation of the final rule for a framework action under each of the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John Fishery Management Plans to update management reference points, including annual catch limits, for the spiny lobster. These changes are based on an update to the 2019 spiny lobster population assessments.
When the Rule Will Take Effect:
Regulations become effective May 30, 2024.
What This Means:
The final rule will modify management reference points to reflect newer scientific information available from the spiny lobster stock assessments. The rule will:
- Decrease the Puerto Rico annual catch limit for spiny lobster from 366,965 pounds to 357,629 pounds.
- Increase the St. Croix annual catch limit for spiny lobster from 120,830 pounds to 137,254 pounds.
- Increase the St. Thomas and St. John annual catch limit for spiny lobster from 126,089 pounds to 133,207 pounds.
Formal Federal Register Name/Number: 89 FR 34168, published April 30, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are the catch limits being revised?
- NOAA Fisheries scientists and managers consistently strive for a better understanding of the resources that we manage.
- Population assessments for the spiny lobster in Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas/St. John were conducted in 2019 through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR 57), and management reference points were revised based on that assessment in 2021 through Framework Amendment 1 to the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Management Plans.
- In 2022, at the request of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center updated the population assessments based on the best scientific information available, and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee provided new catch-level recommendations for 2024 through 2026.
- The Caribbean Fishery Management Council used those catch recommendations to revise the spiny lobster annual catch limits for 2024-2026 for each of the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas/St. John Fishery Management Plans.
- The updated management reference points, including the annual catch limits, are expected to better protect against overfishing of the stock in relation to the current catch limits, and thus ensure, to the best extent practicable, continued access to the resource in future years.
Where can I find more information on Framework Amendment 2?
- Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
By Mail: Sarah Stephenson or 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
- Framework Amendment 2 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website.
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
NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
