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Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for a framework action under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan to update management reference points used to monitor the health of the population, including annual catch limits, for the Triggerfish stock complex. The Triggerfish stock complex is composed of queen triggerfish, gray triggerfish, and ocean triggerfish. The update is based on scientific information from the recent queen triggerfish stock assessment through the Southeast Data Assessment and Review 80 for Puerto Rico, completed in 2022.
Comments are due by January 16, 2025
Summary of Proposed Changes:
- The total annual catch limit for the triggerfish stock complex would decrease from 90,552 pounds (lb) to 87,220 lb.
- The commercial annual catch limit for the triggerfish stock complex would decrease from 83,099 lb to 80,041 lb.
The recreational annual catch limit for the triggerfish stock complex would decrease from 7,453 lb to 7,178 lb.
How To Comment On The Proposed Rule:
The comment period is open now through January 16, 2025. 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: 89 FR 102100, published December 17, 2024.
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
- Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0105-0002
- Click "Comment" and complete the required fields.
- Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to María López-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 seeking public comment on a proposed rule to revise catch limits for the triggerfish stock complex in federal waters around Puerto Rico.
- The comment period on the proposed rule is open from December 17, 2024, through January 16, 2025.
- Comments on the proposed rule will be addressed in the final rule.
Why are we doing this proposed action?
- NOAA Fisheries scientists and managers consistently strive for a better understanding of the resources that we manage.
- Framework Action 3 under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan includes an action to update the overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch, and the annual catch limits for species in the Triggerfish stock complex.
- This action is based on the SEDAR 80 Stock Assessment for the Puerto Rico queen triggerfish (peje puerco, in Spanish), completed in 2022.
- In the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan, queen triggerfish is managed under the Triggerfish stock complex with ocean (turco, in Spanish) and gray triggerfish (peje puerco blanco, in Spanish) and is the indicator stock, that is, management measures, status determination criteria, and management reference points are based on landings of queen triggerfish only, but apply to the entire complex.
- The updated management reference points, including the proposed annual catch limits, are expected to better protect against overfishing of the Triggerfish stock complex in relation to the current catch limits, and thus ensure, to the best extent practicable, continued access to the resource in future years.
- The proposed total, commercial, and recreational annual catch limits are lower than the catch limits included in the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan, but they are based on an updated understanding of the health of the population. In addition, the scientific uncertainty around those catch limits is less. The updated catch limits would better prevent overfishing of the triggerfish populations.
Where can I find more information on Framework Action 3?
- Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
By Mail: María López-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 Action 3 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 Avenue 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
