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The proposed rule would modify the definition of buoy gear consistent with decisions of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council in the Generic Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans for Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix: Modification to the Buoy Gear Definition and Use.  The amendment would modify the definition of buoy gear included in federal regulations at 50 CFR 622.2 when fishing commercially for deep-water snappers and groupers managed under the Puerto Rico FMP, the St. Thomas and St. John FMP, and the St. Croix FMP in federal waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix, and when fishing commercially in federal waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix.  The need for this amendment is to ensure that commercial fishermen fishing for deep-water snappers and groupers in federal waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix, can use buoy gear preferred by some fishermen, while protecting the deep-water reef fish resource and its habitat and minimizing user conflicts.