Caribbean Island-based Fishery Management Plans
Summary
The Secretary of Commerce approved the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix Fishery Management Plans in September 2020. The final rule to implement the new fishery management plans published in September 2022, and the plans will be in effect on October 13, 2022.
These fishery management plans transition fisheries management in federal waters from the historic U.S. Caribbean-wide approach to an island-based approach, in order to be attentive to the unique biological, economic, and cultural attributes of each island or island group. This island-based approach to management facilitates a more responsive and nuanced fishery management framework and provides the foundation for an ecosystem-based approach to managing fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean region.