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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AW15 Publication ID: Spring 2009 
Title: Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 
Abstract: St. Croix queen conch landings by commercial fishermen alone have exceeded sustainable harvest levels since the 2000-2001 fishing season. In 2005-2006, the commercial harvest was over four times sustainable levels. Additionally, there is an unknown but significant recreational harvest. Overfishing of queen conch has led to resource collapse in other regions and in some cases, long-term resource loss. According to the NMFS Report on the Status of the U.S. Fisheries for 2006, queen conch is overfished and undergoing overfishing. Under current fishing practices, reductions in mortality are not expected to be sufficient in the queen conch fishery. Without a reduction in mortality, queen conch are not expected to achieve the rebuilding goals established in the Sustainable Fisheries Amendment of 2005. Therefore, a change in fishing practices is needed to help achieve the necessary reductions in queen conch fishing mortality. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Notice of Intent  10/11/2007  72 FR 58057   
NPRM  10/00/2009    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Roy Crabtree
Regional Administrator, Southeast Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service, 263 Thirteenth Avenue South,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone:727 570-5305
Fax:727 570-5583
Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov