Regulatory Amendment to the Shallow Water Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan : Includes Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review

The Shallow-Water Reef Fishery of Puerto Rico and The U.S. Virgin Islands FMP was implemented on September 22, 1985. The implementing regulations, designed to stop the declining trend of stocks, included: (1) a minimum mesh size of 11/4 inches for fish traps; (2) requirement of a self-destruct panel and/or a self-destruct door fastening on fish traps; (3) requirement for owners to identify and mark their gear and boats; (4) prohibition of hauling or tampering with another person's traps without owner's written permission; (5) prohibition on the use of poisons, drugs, other chemicals, and explosives for fishing among other management measures; and (6) minimum size limits for yellowtail snapper and Nassau grouper.