Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 4
Key claim: Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan proposes reclassifying rainbow runner from a reef fish to a pelagic fish, resulting in revised management measures including sector-specific annual catch targets and accountability measures while retaining existing annual catch limits.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (Puerto Rico FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved, Amendment 4 would reclassify rainbow runner from a reef fish to a pelagic fish under the Puerto Rico FMP. Amendment 4 would result in revised management measures for rainbow runner based on the pelagic fish classification, including sector annual catch targets (ACTs) and accountability measures (AMs). The sector-specific annual catch limits (ACLs) would be retained after the reclassification. The purpose of Amendment 4 is to ensure that rainbow runner is managed consistent with its life history characteristics, fishing patterns, and the Council’s management of other pelagic species.
Why this matters
Reclassifying rainbow runner as a pelagic species realigns its management with its actual life history, which affects Puerto Rico commercial and recreational fishermen through revised sector catch targets and accountability triggers. While the underlying annual catch limits are unchanged, sector-specific ACTs and AMs can alter when closures occur, with downstream implications for seafood supply and local prices. The action is a proposed rule and remains subject to public comment before finalization.