Fishery Management Plans of St. Croix and St. Thomas and St. John; Spiny Lobster Management Measures
Key claim: NOAA would reset yearly catch limits for spiny lobster around St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John using the latest stock assessments, to prevent overfishing while allowing a sustainable harvest.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework Action 4 under both the St. Croix Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the St. Thomas and St. John FMP, as prepared by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). The proposed rule would update annual catch limits (ACLs) for spiny lobster in St. Croix and in St. Thomas and St. John. The purpose of this proposed rule and Framework Action 4 is to update management reference points for spiny lobster consistent with the most recent stock assessments to prevent overfishing and achieve optimum yield (OY).
Why this matters
Annual catch limits determine how much spiny lobster Caribbean commercial and recreational fishers can land each year, directly affecting livelihoods in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the supply and price of lobster to local consumers and restaurants. Tying the limits to the latest stock assessments is intended to keep the fishery sustainable, though tighter limits can squeeze fisher incomes while looser limits raise overfishing risk.