Regulations Guidelines for Spiny Lobster Fishing in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Important notice:

For details, readers should contact the Council, or refer to the comprehensive amendment or the final rule. Any discrepancies between this documents, bulletin and the final rule as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register.

See SFA - Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans of the U.S. Caribbean

Southeast Regional Office - SFA, public bulletin

FINAL RULE - Federal Register/Vol. 70, No. 208/ Friday, October 28, 2005/ Rules and Regulations

Most recent regulations 50 CFR PART 622

spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Fishery Management  Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, Environmental Impact Statement and Regulatory Impact Review

 Size Limit

The minimum carapace length should be 3.5 inches.

Lobsters must remain whole for landing at shoreside.

 Gear Restrictions

Spears, hooks or any other piercing devices are prohibited.

Use of poisons or explosives are prohibited.

Buoy, boat and trap identification and marking according to regulations are required.

Self-destruct panel and door fastenings on traps are required.

Pulling of another person's legally marked traps or pots without owner's permission is illegal, except by authorized officers.

The use of gill and trammel nets are PROHIBITED in the EEZ.*

It is required that traps have one escape panel, which could be the door.*

It is required at least one buoy that floats on the surface for all traps/pots fished individually for all fishing vessels that fish for or possess Caribbean spiny lobster in or from the EEZ.*

It is required at least one buoy at each end of trap lines linking traps/pots for all fishing vessels that fish for of possess Caribbean spiny lobster in or from the EEZ.*

 Remarks

Egg-bearing ("berried") female lobsters may not be retained aboard the vessel.  Berried female lobsters may be kept in pots or traps until the eggs are shed.

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