Federal Rules Ban Nets, Boost Fish Survival in Caribbean Waters
Published Date: 10/3/2025
Rule
Summary
This new rule helps protect coral reefs and fish around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John by limiting certain fishing nets and requiring special devices to help released fish survive. Fishermen in these areas must follow these changes starting soon to keep the ocean healthy. These steps aim to save fish habitats without causing big money problems for fishers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Certain net gear banned or limited
The rule prohibits and restricts the use of certain net gear in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. If you fish in those federal waters, you must stop using the nets that are banned or follow the new restrictions when fishing federally managed reef fish.
Descending device required on reef-fishing vessels
Vessels fishing for federally managed reef fish in U.S. Caribbean Federal waters around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John must have a descending device available and ready for use to help released reef fish survive. This requirement applies whenever fishing for those federally managed reef fish in those federal waters.
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