September 23, 2025
CARIBBEAN FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL 270 MUÑOZ RIVERA AVENUE, SUITE 401 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00918-1903
(787) 766-5926 – www.caribbeanfmc.com
Mr. Eugenio Piñeiro Soler
Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries
National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway Silver Springs, MD 20910
Dear Mr. Piñeiro Soler:
Enclosed is the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC) response to Executive Order 14276 on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, as requested.
The CFMC created an ad hoc committee to discuss the possible actions to comply with the E.O. 14276 mandate, and presented its recommendations to the CFMC at the August 2025 Council meeting. Additionally, staff reviewed Council Action Items to include in the Excel file template provided.
Thank for the opportunity to comment and provide you with specific needs to improve data collection much needed in the Caribbean to reduce loss of yield and increase economic returns to the industry.
The attached Excel file follows the request made by your office and includes all recommendations suggested by the CFMC. This Excel file includes collaboration with the SERO and SEFSC.
Thank you for the opportunity to present our response to the O.E. 14276
We remain at your service for any further information.
Sincerely,
Carlos Farchette CFMC Chair
C: K. Denit, S. D. Rauch III, Miguel A. Rolón
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC 1Regulatory(Amendment)-Reviewspecies currentlymanagedunderthePuertoRico FisheryManagementPlantodetermineifany speciesarenolongerinneedoffederal conservationandmanagement.
50CFR622.438;622.440SubpartSReviewthelistofallspecies/stocks currentlyunderfederalmanagementinthe PRFMPtodetermineif(a)speciesareno longerinneedoffederalmanagement,(b) shouldbemanagedbythestate, (c)should bemovedtoecosystemcomponent.
SERO/SEFSCandtheCFMCareworkingtogether toreviewthelistofspeciesunderfederal mangementtodetermineifanyofthecurrentlymanagedspeciesarenotinneedofconservation andmanagementundertheFMP.Staffwillrevisit theselectioncriteriausingasummarymatrixof qualitativeandquantitativeinformationoneach managedstock.Theactionisexpectedtoimprove efficiencyoffederalfisheriesmanagementinthe U.S.Caribbean,focusingresourcesonthose speciescaughtinfederalwatersthatareinneedof conservationandmanagementwhilerecognizing theimportanceofspeciesthatprovideacritical role tothecoralreefecosystemsintheregion. Revisingthelistofmanagedspecieswouldlikely requirerevisingthemanagmentreferencepoints (e.g.,ACLs)ifthecompositionofstockcomplexes changeandtoupdate basedonthebestscientific informationavailable.TheCouncilalsohas engagedanadhoccommitteeandhasalready begundiscussiononthisitem. NeithertheNMFS northeCFMChavetheresourcestomanage all speciesorstockcomplexes.TheCFMC/SEFSC collaboratorsarealsoconsideringalternative managementstrategiesunderthe NOAA'sEBFM Policy(e.g.,SEDAR103).
TheNMFS/CFMChavealreadystartedareviewof thespeciesundermanagement.Thereviewconsiders availabledata,biologicalinformation,harvestlevels, productivityandvulnerabilityscores,amongothers. Species-specific stockassessmentshavenotproven helpfulformanagementintheU.S.Caribbean. Reducingthenumberofspeciesinneedofstock assessmentsmostlikelywillresultinbetter management.Thisreductioninthenumberofspecies beingreportedwillreducetheburdenofreportingfor fishers. Thetargetdatesforthisactionis2026-2027.
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC 1Regulatory(Amendment)-Reviewspecies currentlymanagedundertheSt.Thomas/St. JohnFisheryManagementPlantodetermineif anyspeciesarenolongerinneedoffederal conservationandmanagement.
50CFR622.438;622.440SubpartUReviewthelistofallspecies/stocks currentlyunderfederalmanagementinthe STT/STJFMPtodetermineif(a)species arenolongerinneedoffederal management,(b)shouldbemanagedbythe state, (c)shouldbemovedtoecosystem component.
SERO/SEFSCandtheCFMCareworkingtogether toreviewthelistofspeciesunderfederal mangementtodetermineifanyofthecurrentlymanagedspeciesarenotinneedofconservation andmanagementundertheFMP.Staffwillrevisit theselectioncriteriausingasummarymatrixof qualitativeandquantitativeinformationoneach managedstock.Theactionisexpectedtoimprove efficiencyoffederalfisheriesmanagementinthe U.S.Caribbean,focusingresourcesonthose speciescaughtinfederalwatersthatareinneedof conservationandmanagementwhilerecognizing theimportanceofspeciesthatprovideacritical role tothecoralreefecosystemsintheregion. Revisingthelistofmanagedspecieswouldlikely requirerevisingthemanagmentreferencepoints (e.g.,ACLs)ifthecompositionofstockcomplexes changeandtoupdate basedonthebestscientific informationavailable.TheCouncilalsohas engagedanadhoccommitteeandhasalready begundiscussiononthisitem. NeithertheNMFS northeCFMChavetheresourcestomanage all speciesorstockcomplexes.TheCFMC/SEFSC collaboratorsarealsoconsideringalternative managementstrategiesunderthe NOAA'sEBFM Policy(e.g.,SEDAR103).
TheNMFS/CFMChavealreadystartedareviewof thespeciesundermanagement.Thereviewconsiders availabledata,biologicalinformation,harvestlevels, productivityandvulnerabilityscores,amongothers. Species-specific stockassessmentshavenotproven helpfulformanagementintheU.S.Caribbean. Reducingthenumberofspeciesinneedofstock assessmentsmostlikelywillresultinbetter management.Thisreductioninthenumberofspecies beingreportedwillreducetheburdenofreportingfor fishers. Thetargetdatesforthisactionis2026-2027.
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC 1Regulatory(Amendment)-Reviewspecies currentlymanagedundertheSt.CroixFishery ManagementPlantodetermineifanyspecies arenolongerinneedoffederalconservation andmanagement.
50CFR622.438;622.440SubpartTReviewthelistofallspecies/stocks currentlyunderfederalmanagementinthe STXFMPtodetermineif(a)speciesareno longerinneedoffederalmanagement, (b)shouldbemanagedbythestate, (c)shouldbemovedtoecosystem component.
SERO/SEFSCandtheCFMCareworkingtogether toreviewthelistofspeciesunderfederal mangementtodetermineifanyofthecurrentlymanagedspeciesarenotinneedofconservation andmanagementundertheFMP.Staffwillrevisit theselectioncriteriausingasummarymatrixof qualitativeandquantitativeinformationoneach managedstock.Theactionisexpectedtoimprove efficiencyoffederalfisheriesmanagementinthe U.S.Caribbean,focusingresourcesonthose speciescaughtinfederalwatersthatareinneedof conservationandmanagementwhilerecognizing theimportanceofspeciesthatprovideacritical role tothecoralreefecosystemsintheregion. Revisingthelistofmanagedspecieswouldlikely requirerevisingthemanagmentreferencepoints (e.g.,ACLs)ifthecompositionofstockcomplexes changeandtoupdate basedonthebestscientific informationavailable.TheCouncilalsohas engagedanadhoccommitteeandhasalready begundiscussiononthisitem. NeithertheNMFS northeCFMChavetheresourcestomanage all speciesorstockcomplexes.TheCFMC/SEFSC collaboratorsarealsoconsideringalternative managementstrategiesunderthe NOAA'sEBFM Policy(e.g.,SEDAR103).
TheNMFS/CFMChavealreadystartedareviewof thespeciesundermanagement.Thereviewconsiders availabledata,biologicalinformation,harvestlevels, productivityandvulnerabilityscores,amongothers.
Species-specific stockassessmentshavenotproven helpfulformanagementintheU.S.Caribbean. Reducingthenumberofspeciesinneedofstock assessmentsmostlikelywillresultinbetter management.Thisreductioninthenumberofspecies beingreportedwillreducetheburdenofreportingfor fishers. Thetargetdatesforthisactionis2026-2027.
2RevisionofCompatibleandNon-compatible RegulationsBetweenFederalandState Governments(RegulatoryAmendment)
50CFR622SubpartsS,T,U;PuertoRico
ReglamentodePesca#7949;USVIfishing regulationsV.I.CodeTitle12Conservation Chapter9A
Reviewlistofcurrentregulationsand determinethefeasabilityof (1)Conducting amanagementevaluationstrategy(MSE)to removeunnecessaryregulations;and(2) establishingcompatibleregulationsacross jurisdictions.Onesetofregulationsfor commonlymanagedspecies.
Thereviewstrategywillexaminetherationalefor thecurrentregulationstoidentifythosethatcould berevised. inplaceatpresenttodetermineits successorfailure.Itaimstoimprovemanagement, increaseregulatorycompliance,andenhance economicprofitabilitybyopeningupfisheries previouslyregulatedorprohibited.Thediscussions aboutregulatorycompatibilityhavehavealready startedattherequestofthecommercialfishers. Compatibilityandderogationofnotneeded regulationsthatarestillinplacewouldultimately benefitfishersinhavingonecoherentsetoffishery regulations.Creatingconsistentregulationsby removingunnecessaryoneswouldultimately benefitallfishers
Discussionsonregulatorycompatibilityhavealready startedattherequestofthecommercialfishers. Additionaldiscussionscouldbescheduledduringthe December2025andSpringandSummer2026 Councilmeetings2025-2026.MSEreviewdepends onavailabilityoffundsandstaff.
CFMC/NMFS/PRDNER/USVIDPNR; LocalGovernments.
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC 1Reviewpossibleredundancyinregulationsof seasonallyclosedareas,notakeareas,and seasonalclosuresforspawningfishspecies (Regulatory).
50CFR622SubpartsS,T,U (1)Removeregulationsthatareredundant orunnecessarytoavoidduplicationand burdenstofishers,andincrease managementefficiency.2)Evaluatemarine protectedareasforeffectivenessin protectingspeciesand/orhabitatand determineifregulationsneedtobemodified toallowfishingactivities.IncludeEBFM approachesintheevaluation,including assessmentofsocioeconomicimpactsof closures,whereapplicable.Reviewrationale forcurrentseasonalandareclosures.
Reviewingandremovingredundantregulations couldsignificantlyimprovetheefficiencyof fisheriesmanagementandcreatenewfishing opportunities.Thisapproachwouldallowfora moreflexiblemanagementsystem,onethatismore responsivetothelatestscientific data.Thereisa needtocontinueCRCPbeyond2026tocontinue includingfishersinthemonitoringandassessments offishpopulationsandMPAs.Thesefishersare paidatthesame levelofscientistsatsea.Their knowledgeisneededtoimprovescience.The increasedunderstandingofthe management sciencebyfishersandoftherealitiesofthe industrybyscientistscouldimproveassessments, reduceregulatoryburden,improvetheeconomyof theindustrybyselfmonitoring.Remove regulationsthatareredundantorunnessearyto unburdenfishers.ItisimportantthatCooperative Researchbeconsideredforconsistentlymonitoring theareasaspartofthederegulationprocess.
NMFS/CFMCarecompilingalistofregulationsthat wereestablished20ormoreyearsagothatcouldbe modifiedtoenhancefishingopportunities.Thelist willbesharedattheDecember2025Council Meeting.Additionaldiscussionsandamendment developmentin2026/2027.
CFMC/NMFS
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC 1RevieweffectivenessofcurrentMPAsto determinewhichareeffectiveandwhichcan beeliminated. (Regulatory-Amendment)/ ScienceDatacollectionformonitoringMPAs
Forexample:50CFR622.439(a)(2) TourmalineBank,PuertoRico(shared jurisdiction).
OpenMPAsifnotaccomplishingits purpose.Plantoallowforcontrolledaccess totheareasthroughacooperativeresearch protocol(beingdevelopedunderCRCP 2025grant)toassessrecoveryoffish populationinotherclosedareas. Enhancemonitoring(e.g.,annual periodicity,speciesusebyhabitatand depth)ofmanagedareasthrougha cooperativeresearchprogramtosupport action. AssesstheMPAsthroughanEBFM (assessingregulatoryimpacts)approach, ratherthansinglespecies,toevaluate effectivenessandimpactsofclosedareas.
MarineManagedArea(MMA)establishedto protectafishspawningsitecouldbereopenedto fishingifit'snolongeranactive spawningarea. Habitatchangesorotherfactorsmayhaverendered theMPA'soriginalpurposeobsolete.Byreevaluatingtheseareas,theburdenonfisherscould bereducedandnewfisheriescouldbedevelopedin previouslyprotectedzones.Additionally,fishers couldbeallowedtooperateunderastandardized, scientifically-guidedprotocoltohelpassessthe recoveryoftheseMMAs.Openaccesstotheareaif theareaisnolongeranactivespawning aggregationsiteornotactingasanMPAforthe protectionofthereproducingstock.Changesdueto habitatorotherissuescouldhavechangedthe purposeforwhichtheywereestablished.This wouldreduceburdenonfishersasotherfisheries couldbeopeninthearea.Accesstopreviously protectedareascouldresultinnewfisheriesbeing developed.Fisherscouldalsobeallowedtofish understandardizedandscientificallyguided protocolstoprovideanassessmentoftherecovery intheMPAs.Thiswillprovideforanadditional incomeforfishers.
ExtendingtheNOAACooperativeReserachProgram beyond2026iscrucialforkeepingfishersinvolvedto continuemonitoringandassessingfishpopulations andmarineprotectedareas.Fishersarecompensated atthesamelevelasat-seascientistsfortheirvaluable expertise,whichisessentialforimprovingthe science.Thisprogramfostersamutualunderstanding betweenfishersandscientists;fisherswouldgain insightintomanagementscience,andscientistswould betterunderstandtherealitiesofthefishingindustry. Thiscollaborationcouldleadtoimproved assessments,areducedregulatoryburden,andamore sustainableindustrythroughself-monitoring.In20262027theCFMCthroughtheCRCPgrantwillhave thedatathatcouldhelpindecidingiftheTourmaline areashouldbeopen.Theworkwillbeconductedby fishersandscientists.Currentresearchsupportedby theCFMCcouldbeusedtomakedeterminationsas towhethertheMPAsareachievingtheirpurpose.For example,a2026-2027CoralReefConservation Programgrantprojectwillfocusassessingfish usage/presenceintheTournalineBankMMA. Amendmentsifneeded2026-2028.
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC 3CollectrecreationaldataintheUSCaribbean (Science)
50CFR622SubpartsS,T,U Restablishrecreationalfishingdata collectioneffortsintheU.S.Caribbean. TheMRFSS/MRIPprogramwashaltedin 2017andhasnotresumedtodate.
CFMC 1Regulatory(Amendment)-Revisethe accountabilitymeasurefortheCaribbeanSpiny LobsterinPuertoRico.Science/Data collection:surveythatsamplesindividuals largerthanthosebeingcaughtinthefisheries toconfirmtherearelargeindividualsinthe population(SSCandFishers' reccommendation).
50CFR622SubpartS ThePuertoRicospinylobsterAMneedsto berevisedinresponsetoaseriesofACL overages.
Localstaterecreationalfishinglicenseswillassist data collectioneffortsintheregion. Ifthese licensesanddataarecertifiedforfederaluse,it couldbeusedinstockassessmentsandinACL monitoringeffortsenhancingmanagementinthe USCaribbean.
Therecommendedactionwouldtrytobetter understandhowenvironmentalandeconomic conditionsimpactlandingsanddetermineanmore appropriateresponse(AM)toensuresustainability ofthefishery.
EffectivelyimplementtheMarineResource InformationProgram(MRIP)intheUSCaribbean (PRandUSVI).USVIjustimplementedrecreational fishinglicenseandreporting(2025).
TheCouncilwilldevelopanamendmentthePuerto RicoFMPtomodifythespinylobsterAM.Target date is2027.Science/Data Target:assoonasfunding (e.g.,CRP)becomesavailable.
CFMC
1Reviseaccountabilitymeasuresformanaged pelagic stocks(RegulatoryAmendment)
50CFR622SubpartsS,T,U Pelagicstocksarenewtomanagementin theUSCaribbean.TheAMforpelagic stocksinallthreeFMPsneedtoberevised todeterminecorrectiveaction(s)totake whentheannualcatchlimitisexceeded.
Therecommendedactionwouldconsiderthe regionalseasonalityandavailabilityofpelagic stocksanditsinfluenceovermarketsandis expectedtoimprovesocialandeconomic opportunitieswhilecomplyingwithrequired mandates(MSA).Socialandeconomic improvementtofishingcommunitieswhen overagesdonotoccur.Seasonalmarketsinfluence theharvestregimeandunderstandingthesecould enhancedeconomicactivitybynotcontinuously incurringinoverages.
TheCouncilwilldevelopanamendmenttotheFMPs tomodifythepelagic AMs.Targetdateis2026.
CFMC 1Consideralternativeapproachesfor Annual CatchLimits(Regulatory)
50CFR622SubpartsS,T,U (1)Considerallowingaportionofthe unharvestedACLbeaddedtothenextyear's catchlimitforthatparticularstock(carry over).(2)Evaluatetheuseofalternative methodsforsettingreferencepointsfordatalimitedstocksintheU.S.Caribbean fisheries(e.g.,ecosystemreferencepoint)
(1)Thisactionwouldincreaseflexibilityfor managersandprovideeconomicbenefitsto fishermenintheformofincreasedharvest opportunitiesandcouldreducedisruptionsto fishingcommunities.Thisactionwouldbenefitthe industryifthereviewdeterminesthat overregulationisthereasonfornotharvestingthe ACLs.Deregulationcouldenhanceeconomic profitabilitylessingtheburdenonthefishers.The carryovercoulddecreaseclosuresduetooverages.
(2)Alternate methodsofmanagingdata-limited fisheriesintheUSCaribbeancouldhelpaddress managementchallengesandmayresultinastable marketsandecosystems.
Proposedplan:(1)StartdiscussionatCouncil meetingtodetermineifstaffshoulddevelopanaction forreviewandamendment(s)totheFMPs.(2) Alternate methodsfordata-limitedstockswouldbe discussed/developedthroughtheSEDAR103 scheduledfor2025-2027.
(3)Completequalityassessment/qualitycontrol (QA/QC)ofallU.S.Caribbeancommercialand recreationaldataavailabletodateforthespecies undermanagement.
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
CFMC
1Conductqueenconchpopulationassessmentin theU.S.Caribbean(RegulatoryAmendment)
50CFR622SubpartsT,U Evaluatethestatusofthequeenconch stock(s)intheU.S.Caribbeanand determineifarebuidlingplanforthe speciesisneeded.Theassessmentwould allowtheCounciltoreconsiderthecurrent managementregime forthequeenconch establishedunderthepreviousrebuilding plan(e.g.,harvestprohibitionsandareaand seasonalclosures). Extendassessmentsto includeclosedareasmanagedbyother jurisdiction/agencies,suchasthe monumentsinSt.Croix,USVI.Facilitate thiseffortbyinvitingtheseagenciesand jurisdictionstocollaborateonthese researchefforts.
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation
CFMC
1Assesscommercialandrecreationalfishing data todeterminefishingeffortintheU.S. Caribbean.Developmethodologytodetermine fishingeffortbygeartypeasneeded. (Regulatory;Datacollection)
1Enforceimportregulationsforspinylobster andqueenconch
50CFR§622.409SubpartsS,T,Uand 622.446
Workwithlocalagenciestoupdatethe mechanisms(e.g.,commercialcatch reports) toacquireeffortdatafromthe commercialandrecreationalsectors.This informationwouldimprove data inputs/modelsusedinCaribbeanstock assessmentsandtheevaluationofactions (e.g.,managmentmeasures)inFMP amendments.
Monitoringofimportsandenforcementof theminimumsize,meatandtailweightin place.Considernosale ofimportsifthereis anACLoverageclosures.
Anassessmentwouldprovidethescientific foundationformanagementdecisionsthatcan preventoverfishingofthequeenconchandto lessenrestrictionsontheharvest,forexampleby showingthatthestockisnotoverfishedandcanbe removedfromarebuildingplan.Itwouldhelp reduceuncertaintytosetharvestlevels,which wouldhelpstabilizemarketsandprovideastable supplyofqueenconch.Useadvanceandremote technology,incombinationwithAItocontribute to thepopulationassessment.Trainfisherstoassistin theuseofthetechnologytoadvancethe understandingofqueenconchpopulation dynamics,habitatpreferences,andcreatea databaseoftheenvironmentalparametersthat impactonthesepopulations.Fishersinvolvement canenhanceprofitabilityandhelpindecreasing illegalmarkets;bothfrompoachingandincoming imports.
Enhancingtheunderstandingoffishingeffort wouldresultinbettermanagementofCaribbean fisheries.Thisisalwaysagapidentifiedinstock assessments.
NMFSSEFSCtocontinueresearchonqueenconch populationsintheU.S.Caribbean.Interestfishersand academicianstoapplyforCooperativeResearch Program(CRP)grantsforuseofadvancedtechnology inthesurveysofqueenconchintheEEZ. Compensate fishersfortheworkperformed.Ifa seasonalclosurewasre-enactedintheEEZ,an additionalmeasurecouldbethebanonimports duringtheseasonalclosure.Targetdatedependenton fundingavailability.
CFMC/NMFS/LocalGovernments/DOI (VICoralReefNationalMonuments; BuckIslandReefNationalMonument)
Illegalimportsaredetrimentaltotheindustryby fetchinginsomecasesalowerpriceperpound. Imports,whenthereareclosuresperhapscanalso bestoppedtomaintainthepriceoflocallobster.
TheseeffortsareunderwayattheSEFSC,butthereis aneedfordedicatedstafftoimprovedatacollection forthebenefitoftheindustryandthesceintific understandingoftheUSCaribbeanfisheries. ImplementationTBDasfundingbecomesavailable.
NMFS/LocalGovernments/CFMC
Council(s)Priority NumberActiontype(e.g.ChangestoRegulations, Orders,GuidanceDocuments,OtherSimilar AgencyActions)
RelevantCFRCitationunderTitle 50(if applicable)
Updateddescriptionofrecommended action(s)
Rationaleofhow therecommendedaction(s) stabilizemarkets,improveaccess,enhance economicprofitability,andpreventclosures
Proposedplanandschedulefor implementation Responsibleentities
CFMC 1Prioritize socio-economicdataneedsfor decision-makingintheU.S.Caribbean fisheries(Science/Data Collection)
N/A-dataneededtobeusedinFMPsand Amendments
Explorethefactorsthatcurrentlyprevent theintegrationoruseofsocio-economic data formanagementdecisionsinthe region:(1)Inadequatefrequencyand resolutionofsocio-econdata;disparate timeframes.(2) Lackofappropriate involvementofsocialscientistsinthestock assessment,review,andmanagementadvice process.(3) Lackorpoorbuy-inandtrust fromstakeholders–impedimentto integrationofLEK(CaribbeanStrategic Planning-SEFSC,NMFS)
Useasystematicapproachtoguidethe considerationofsocio-economicfactorsinstock assessmentandfisheriesmanagement.Enhance fisheriesmanagementintheUSCaribbeanviathe incorporationoftheseprimaryindicatorsofthe statusofthemarkets.
Furtherongoingeffortstoincludesocie-economic data intodata-limitedstockassessments.SEDAR103 U.S.CaribbeanApplicationofAlternateAssessment Methods-October2025-2027.
OtherAgencies PolicyandFunding-Implementpoliciesthat wouldhelpdomesticspinylobsterandqueen conchproductscompeteagainstimports.
N/A
Implementpoliciesthatwouldhelp domesticspinylobsterandqueenconch productscompeteagainstimports.
Ilegalimportsaredetrimentaltotheindustryby fetchinginsomecasesalowerpriceperpound. Imports,whenthereareclosuresperhapscanalso bestoppedtomaintainthepriceoflocallobster.
Coordinatewiththeappropriate agenciestoprohibit saleofqueenconchandotherseafoodduringtheir localandfederalseasonalclosures.Increase advertisementsofspeciesclosures;Increase marketingofqueenconchandotherfishduringthe openseasons.
OtherAgencies