U.S. FEDRegulation
NMFS finalizes Puerto Rico fishery plan amendment reclassifying rainbow runner
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a final rule (91 FR 63160) amending 50 CFR part 622 to implement Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan, reclassifying rainbow runner from a reef fish to a pelagic fish. The rule sets commercial and recreational annual catch targets at 90% of the retained annual catch limits and new accountability measures. It takes effect October 5, 2026.
Key points
- Final rule at 91 FR 63160 amends 50 CFR part 622 to implement Amendment 4; effective October 5, 2026.Federal Register
- Rainbow runner moves from reef fish to pelagic fish classification.Federal Register
- Commercial and recreational annual catch targets are set at 90% of the annual catch limits, with new accountability measures.Federal Register
- Existing sector-specific annual catch limits for rainbow runner are retained.Federal Register
- Council says the change matches the species' life history and fishing patterns.Federal Register
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RegulationU.S.NMFS Puerto Rico FMP Amendment 4EnvironmentalRegulatoryFor practitionersFor governance