López-Ortiz R., N. Cruz, E. Rodríguez, Y. Pérez-Román and A. Rivera. PR DNER Rangers Corp Enforcement Report (December 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026), presented to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council 189th public hybrid meeting, in April 21-22, 2026, at The Buccaneer Hotel, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI.
Puerto Rico DNER Rangers Corp, Enforcement Report December 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026
Cases described in detail Law 21 "Law to Punish Anyone Who Throws Waste in Public or Private Places“ (21 cases). • Debris was deposited in the coastal area. Administrative Offenses. Law 147 "Law for the Protection, Conservation and Management of Coral Reefs in Puerto Rico“ (no cases reported). • Coral breakage. Law 278 "Puerto Rico Fisheries Law“ (2 cases). • Violations Related to: Pollution and Habitat Protection, Licenses and Permits, Closed Seasons and Protected Species, Minimum Sizes, Fishing Gear and Methods, Releasing non-native species, Failure to report incidental capture of grouper species, Obstructing and Interfering with inspections conducted by authorized personnel. Law 430 "Puerto Rico Water Navigation and Safety Act“ (656 cases). • Engaging in activities in the maritime zone without proper permits. Tying a boat to mangroves. Minor without a lifeguard. Towing without observing safety rules. Exceeding passenger capacity on a vessel. Diving with an unidentifiable flag. Operating a vessel without safety equipment. Navigating without the required license. Negligent navigation. Navigating without a defined course. Failure to renew annual rights/permits. Lacking required safety equipment.
Investigations were conducted into sightings of injured and entangled sea turtles and manatees at various points on the island due to negligent navigation.
Regulation 4860 "Regulation for the conservation of territorial waters and the maritime-terrestrial zone (MTZ) “ (24 cases). • Activity without MTZ permission. • New use without MTZ permission. • Illegal construction in MTZ. • Illegal sand extraction in MTZ. Regulation 7949 "Regulation on Fisheries“ (35 cases). • Using a spear gun and tank without a commercial license. • Violating the closed season. • Caribbean Spiny Lobster below the legal minimum size. • Queen Conch below the legal minimum size. • Fishing in prohibited areas. • Exceeding the allowed number of cartridges. • Intervention related to conch harvesting. Regulation 6979 "Regulations for Registration, Navigation and Aquatic Safety in Puerto Rico“ (220 cases). • Operating a personal watercraft after sunset. • Navigating without a registration certificate. • Navigating without a registration number displayed on the vessel. • Consuming alcohol while operating the vessel. • Personal watercraft operation after sunset. • Anchoring in a natural reserve.