50 CFR § 622.516 - Size limits.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t50/s622.516"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "50 CFR § 622.516 - Size limits."
title_number: 50
title_name: "Wildlife and Fisheries"
section_number: "622.516"
section_name: "Size limits."
chapter_name: "FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE"
part_number: "622"
part_name: "FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "16 U.S.C. 1801"
regulatory_source: "78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "622"
---


# 622.516 Size limits.

All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit in or from the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John may not be possessed, sold, or purchased, and must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John is responsible for ensuring that all species on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this section. See § 622.10 regarding requirements for landing fish intact. See § 622.520(c)(2) regarding requirements for landing spiny lobster intact.

(a) *Reef fish.* (1) Yellowtail snapper—12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.

(2) [Reserved]

(b) *Pelagic fish.* (1) Dolphinfish—24 inches (61.0 cm), FL.

(2) Wahoo—32 inches (81.3 cm), FL.

(c) *Spiny lobster.* 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), carapace length.

[87 FR 56217, Sept. 13, 2022, as amended at 90 FR 26940, June 25, 2025]