0648-BN67 202504 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan: Reclassification of the Rainbow Runner as a Pelagic Fish

On September 22, 2020, the Secretary of Commerce approved the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (Puerto Rico FMP), and its regulations were effective October 22, 2022. During the development of the Puerto Rico FMP, the species managed under the FMP were classified into descriptive categories, i.e., Reef Fish, Pelagic Fish, Rays, etc. At that time, the rainbow runner along with two other jack species that were new to federal management under the Puerto Rico FMP were classified as Reef Fish. As such, since the implementation of the Puerto Rico FMP in October 2022, rainbow runner has been subject to management measures applicable to reef fish in federal waters around Puerto Rico. Amendment 4 and the proposed rule would reclassify the rainbow runner from the Reef Fish group to the Pelagic Fish group to ensure the species is managed in accordance with its life history characteristics and fishing patterns, and the management of other pelagic species.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant First Time Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No Not subject to, not significant 50 CFR 622 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. No NPRM 07/00/2025 No No None No No No No Andrew Strelcheck J. Regional Administrator, Southeast Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 727 824-5305 andy.strelcheck@noaa.gov 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg FL 33701