Puerto Rico's Rainbow Runners Swim to Pelagic Status Overnight
Published Date: 10/5/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting October 5, 2026, the rainbow runner fish in Puerto Rico will be managed as a pelagic fish instead of a reef fish. This change affects fishermen and fishery managers by updating catch limits and rules to better match how and where rainbow runners live and are caught. The goal is to keep fishing sustainable and fair without changing current catch limits, so no big money hits are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Rainbow Runner Reclassified as Pelagic
Starting October 5, 2026, rainbow runner in Puerto Rico is moved from the reef fish category to the pelagic fish category under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan. This means rainbow runner will be managed under the pelagic fish rules rather than reef-fish rules going forward.
Year-Round Harvest Allowed in Bajo de Sico
Commercial and recreational fishermen will be permitted to harvest rainbow runner year-round in Federal waters of the Bajo de Sico area, including during the period previously prohibited from October 1 through March 31. This change is effective October 5, 2026.
Commercial and Recreational ACLs Remain Unchanged
The commercial ACL for rainbow runner remains 913 lb (414.1 kg) and the recreational ACL remains 8,091 lb (3,670 kg). The total ACL value of 9,004 lb (4,084.1 kg) is removed from reef-fish tables because pelagic AMs do not use a combined total ACL.
New Sector ACTs and Flexible Pelagic AMs
This rule establishes sector annual catch targets (ACTs) for rainbow runner at 90% of each sector's ACL: commercial ACT = 822 lb (373 kg) and recreational ACT = 7,282 lb (3,303 kg). It also replaces reef-fish accountability measures (which could require automatic season reductions) with pelagic AMs that evaluate landings relative to ACTs and use consultation with the Council to determine corrective action.
No Significant Small Entity Economic Impact
During the proposed rule stage, NMFS certified that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and therefore a final regulatory flexibility analysis was not required.
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Key Dates
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