Updated CFMC Response EO 14276
Council(s)
Priority Action type (e.g. Changes to Regulations, Relevant CFR Citation under Title 50 (if Number Orders, Guidance Documents, Other Similar applicable) Agency Actions)
Updated description of recommended action(s)
Rationale of how the recommended action(s) stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and prevent closures
Proposed plan and schedule for implementation
Responsible entities
CFMC
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Regulation - Review species currently managed 50 CFR 622.431 and 622.440; 50 CFR under the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. 622.471 and 622.480; 50 CFR 622.506 and Thomas/St. John Fishery Management Plans to 622.515 determine if any species are no longer in need of federal conservation and management.
Review the list of all species/stocks Reviewing managed species NMFS and the CFMC have already initiated a review CFMC/NMFS/Local Governments currently under federal management in the (SERO/SEFSC/CFMC) will identify stocks no of the managed species, considering available data, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas/St. longer needing FMP conservation, significantly biological information, harvest levels, and John FMPs to determine if (a) species are no improving federal fisheries management efficiency. productivity and vulnerability scores, among other longer in need of federal management, (b) Focusing resources on critical stocks enhances factors. Given that species-specific stock assessments should be moved to ecosystem component. economic profitability for fishers and prevents have proven less effective for U.S. Caribbean unnecessary closures. The review, which includes management, reducing the number of species requiring full assessments is expected to improve revisiting selection criteria and potential annual catch limit (ACL) updates, is already underway and management efficiency and decrease the reporting considers alternative management strategies (e.g., burden on fishers. The target timeframe for this action is 2026-2027. SEDAR 103) in line with NOAA's EcosystemBased Fisheries Management (EBFM) Policy.
CFMC
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Regulation - Review possible redundancy in 50 CFR 622.439(a)(1-2); 50 CFR regulations of seasonally closed areas, no take 622.479(b)(3); 50 CFR 622.514(b)(1) areas, and seasonal closures for spawning fish species, and review the effectiveness of current MPAs to determine which can be eliminated or modified. Science Data collection for monitoring MPAs
For the following managed areas/species: St. Reviewing and removing redundant regulations and The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and CFMC/NMFS/Other Federal Agencies Thomas - Grouper Unit 4 seasonal species eliminating ineffective closed areas/MPAs will the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) /Local Governments closure; Puerto Rico - Tourmaline and Abrir significantly improve fisheries management are compiling a list of regulations (established 20 or La Sierra seasonally managed areas; and St. efficiency, reduce regulatory burdens on fishers, more years ago) for modification, with the list to be Croix - Mutton Snapper Spawning and create new fishing opportunities. This flexible, shared at the December 2025 Council Meeting. Aggregation Area and Mutton Snapper data-responsive system allows controlled access Extending the NOAA Cooperative Research Program seasonal species closure, in order of priority: through cooperative research. Continuing the (CRCP) beyond 2026 is crucial to continue involving (1) Remove regulations that are redundant Cooperative Research Program (CRCP) beyond fishers in monitoring and assessing fish populations and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Discussions and or unnecessary to avoid duplication and 2026 is vital to incorporate fishers' expertise, burdens to fishers, and increase improve science, and foster mutual understanding. amendment development are scheduled for 2026/2027, with amendments for MPAs extending to management efficiency. (2) Review the 2028. Specific CFMC-supported research will be used effectiveness of current Marine Protected to determine if MPAs are achieving their purpose. Areas (MPAs) and seasonal/area closures to determine if they are accomplishing their purpose (e.g., protecting species/habitat, acting as active spawning aggregation sites). (3) Modify regulations to allow fishing activities, or eliminate closures entirely, if they are ineffective. (4) Conduct evaluations using Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approaches, including assessment of socioeconomic impacts of closures. (5) Enhance monitoring of managed areas through a cooperative research program, which includes planning for controlled access to closed areas through a cooperative research protocol to assess recovery.
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