Fish Fix: Puerto Rico Rules Get Species Table Cleanup
Published Date: 2/23/2026
Rule
Summary
The National Marine Fisheries Service fixed some mistakes in the fishery management rules for Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John that were first published in 2022. These corrections update species table references to make sure the rules are clear and accurate. This fix takes effect on February 23, 2026, and helps fishermen and managers follow the right guidelines without confusion.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fixed species-table references
If you fish commercially or recreationally in the Caribbean islands covered by these plans, this rule corrects the definitions in 50 CFR 622.2 so that “Gulf reef fish” refers to Table 1 in Appendix A and “South Atlantic snapper-grouper” refers to Table 2 in Appendix A. The correction takes effect on February 23, 2026 and is meant to remove confusion when people look up which species are covered.
Clarified South Atlantic bag limit wording
If you fish for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, this rule clarifies the recreational bag limit language in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(8): a combined limit of 20 fish, exclusions including tomtate and the ecosystem component species listed in Table 2 of Appendix A, and a cap of no more than 10 fish of any one snapper-grouper species. This correction is effective February 23, 2026 and is intended to remove confusion when applying the bag and possession limits.
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