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Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands . Purpose and Need. June 2008 U.S.V.I. Regulations 50,000 lb Quota in STX, 50,000 lb Quota in STT/STJ Closed Season (June 1 – Oct 31)
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Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Purpose and Need • June 2008 U.S.V.I. Regulations • 50,000 lb Quota in STX, 50,000 lb Quota in STT/STJ • Closed Season (June 1 – Oct 31) • St. Croix Quota Closure – May 1, 2009 • Federal Regulations • No quota • Lang Bank Open October 1 – June 30 (closed July 1 – Sept 30) • Compatible Regulations
Background • Queen Conch FMP • Queen Conch Amendment 1 • Prohibit commercial and recreational harvest, possession of queen conch in federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean, with the exception of Lang Bank • Queen Conch Amendment 2 • Comprehensive ACL Amendment (Under Development)
Queen Conch, Strombus gigas Photo courtesy of: NOAA Fisheries Service Protected Resources Division
Lang Bank is defined as the area east of 64°34’W bound within the 100 fathom curve.
Action 1: Compatible Regulations • Alternative 1: No Action. Do not establish compatible regulations with U.S. Virgin Islands • Alternative 2: Establish compatible closure regulations with U.S. Virgin Islands (Quota and Seasonal Closures – June 1 through October 31)
Proposed Changes • Compatible Closure when Territorial Quota is Met • Whenever quota is met to November 1 • Closed Season: • July 1 through September 30 June 1 through October 31
Questions? Photo courtesy of: Caribbean Fishery Management Council
USVI Trip/Bag Limit • Commercial: 150 per person per day 200 per boat per day • Recreational: 3 per person per day (no more than 12 per boat) 6 per person per day (no more than 24 per boat)