Amendment 4 to the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Seagrass Management

#  Amendment 4 to the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Seagrass Management

**AGENCY:**

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

**ACTION:**

Final rule.

**SUMMARY:**

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 4 to the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates Fishery Management Plan (FMP) of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) (Coral FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule removes seagrass species from the Coral FMP. The purpose of this rule and Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP is to address the future management of seagrasses in the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

**DATES:**

This rule is effective July 5, 2013.

**ADDRESSES:**

Electronic copies of Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP, which include an Environmental Assessment, a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis, a regulatory impact review, and a fishery impact statement, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at: *http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/index.html.*

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Maria del Mar Lopez, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: *[email protected].*

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**

Seagrasses in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ are managed under the Coral FMP. The Coral FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.

On February 25, 2013, NMFS published a notice of availability for Amendment 4 and requested comments (78 FR 12703). On March 6, 2013, NMFS published a proposed rule for Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP and requested public comments (78 FR 14503). The proposed rule and Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP outline the rationale for the actions contained in this final rule. Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP was approved by the Secretary of Commerce on May 23, 2013. A summary of the actions implemented by this final rule is provided below.

This final rule removes seagrass species from the Coral FMP. The Council determined that Federal management of these seagrass species is unnecessary because there is no known harvest of seagrasses, and these species occur predominantly in Puerto Rico commonwealth and USVI territorial waters (state waters). In addition, seagrasses are designated as essential fish habitat (EFH) for stocks within the four Council FMPs (Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the USVI, Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI, Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI, and Coral) and as habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) within special areas in state waters, and will continue to be protected by these designations.

**Other Changes Contained in This Final Rule**

In 50 CFR part 622, Appendix A, NMFS removes the text regarding aquarium trade species as being in the “data collection” category in the Coral FMP and the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI FMP (Table 1 and Table 2).

NMFS has also determined that the description of waypoints B and C in the Puerto Rico Management Area (in Table 1) and waypoints B and C in the St. Thomas/St. John Management Area (in Table 3), as well as the boundary line that connects these two waypoints, were incorrectly described in the final rule for the 2010 Caribbean ACL Amendment. NMFS removes the description for points B and C in Appendix E, and maintains just the waypoints because they are sufficient descriptions of the boundary in those instances. NMFS also revises the description of the boundary line that connects waypoints B and C in Appendix E to be “the 3-nautical mile Territorial boundary of the St. Thomas/St. John island group” instead of “the EEZ/Territorial boundary,” to be consistent with the Council's intent for the specification of these Caribbean island management areas. Additionally, NMFS has determined that two boundary lines, one in the St. Croix Management Area (in Table 2) and one in the St. Thomas/St. John Management Area (in Table 3), were incorrectly described as the “EEZ/Territorial boundary” and are revised to “International/EEZ boundary.” These revisions are consistent with the Council's intent for the specification of these Caribbean island management areas.

**Comments and Responses**

NMFS received a total of three comments on Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP and the proposed rule. A Federal agency had no comments on the actions in Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP. One comment was unrelated to the actions in Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP. The specific comment related to the actions contained in the amendment or the proposed rule is summarized and responded to below.

*Comment:* Seagrasses are important fish breeding habitat and in addition to being protected from harvest, they should also be protected from physical damage ( *e.g.,* sand harvesting, anchoring, mooring, traps).

*Response:* NMFS agrees that seagrasses are important fish habitats. However, because there is no known direct harvest of seagrasses and these species occur predominately in state waters, the Council determined that Federal management of these species would serve no useful purpose. That decision does not mean that seagrasses are unprotected. Seagrass habitat is already protected by EFH and HAPC designations in the four Caribbean Fishery Management Council FMPs (Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the USVI, Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI, Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI, and Coral). This rule will not affect those EFH and HAPC designations. To the extent that seagrasses are present in Federal waters, this habitat is protected by anchoring restrictions in some areas and year-round prohibitions on the use of pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets, or trammel nets in Federal closed areas. Other management measures, such as the prohibition on the use of chemicals, plant or plant-derived toxins, and explosives to harvest reef-associated species, as well as restricting to hand-held dip nets and slurp guns the allowable gear for collecting marine aquarium fishes, provide direct and indirect physical benefits to the seagrass  habitat by protecting it from the adverse effects of specific fishing gear.

**Changes From the Proposed Rule**

In 50 CFR Part 622 Appendix A Tables 1 and 2, NMFS has identified several species names that contained misspellings. These misspellings are corrected in this final rule.

**Classification**

The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined that the actions contained in this final rule are consistent with Amendment 4 to the Coral FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law.

This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for this certification was published in the proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received regarding the certification and NMFS has not received any new information that would affect its determination. No changes to the final rule were made in response to public comments. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared.

**List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622**

Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico, Seagrass, Virgin Islands.

Dated: May 30, 2013.

Alan D. Risenhoover,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR Part 622 is amended as follows:

**50 CFR Part 622**

**PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC**

1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:

**Authority:**

16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.*

2. In Appendix A to part 622, Tables 1 and 2 are revised to read as follows:

**Appendix A to Part 622—Species Tables**

**Table 1 of Appendix A to Part 622—Caribbean Coral Reef Resources**

I. Coelenterates—Phylum Coelenterata

A. Hydrocorals—Class Hydrozoa

1. Hydroids—Order Anthoathecata

Family Milleporidae

*Millepora* spp., Fire corals

Family Stylasteridae

*Stylaster roseus,* Rose lace corals

B. Anthozoans—Class Anthozoa

1. Soft corals—Order Alcyonacea

Family Anthothelidae

*Erythropodium caribaeorum,* Encrusting gorgonian

*Iciligorgia schrammi,* Deepwater sea fan

Family Briareidae

*Briareum asbestinum,* Corky sea finger

Family Clavulariidae

Carijoa riisei

*Telesto* spp.

2. Gorgonian corals—Order Gorgonacea

Family Ellisellidae

*Ellisella* spp., Sea whips

Family Gorgoniidae

*Gorgonia flabellum,* Venus sea fan

*G. mariae,* Wide-mesh sea fan

*G. ventalina,* Common sea fan

*Pseudopterogorgia acerosa,* Sea plume

*P. albatrossae*

*P. americana,* Slimy sea plume

*P. bipinnata,* Bipinnate plume

*P. rigida*

*Pterogorgia anceps,* Angular sea whip

*P. citrina,* Yellow sea whip

Family Plexauridae

*Eunicea calyculata,* Warty sea rod

*E. clavigera*

*E. fusca,* Doughnut sea rod

*E. knighti*

*E. laciniata*

*E. laxispica*

*E. mammosa,* Swollen-knob

*E. succinea,* Shelf-knob sea rod

*E. touneforti*

Muricea atlantica

*M. elongata,* Orange spiny rod

*M. laxa,* Delicate spiny rod

*M. muricata,* Spiny sea fan

*M. pinnata,* Long spine sea fan

*Muriceopsis* spp.

*M. flavida,* Rough sea plume

*M. sulphurea*

*Plexaura flexuosa,* Bent sea rod

*P. homomalla,* Black sea rod

*Plexaurella dichotoma,* Slit-pore sea rod

*P. fusifera*

*P. grandiflora*

*P. grisea*

*P. nutans,* Giant slit-pore

Pseudoplexaura crucis

*P. flagellosa*

*P. porosa,* Porous sea rod

*P. wagenaari*

3. Hard Corals—Order Scleractinia

Family Acroporidae

*Acropora cervicornis,* Staghorn coral

*A. palmata,* Elkhorn coral

*A. prolifera,* Fused staghorn

Family Agaricidae

*Agaricia agaricites,* Lettuce leaf coral

*A. fragilis,* Fragile saucer

*A. lamarcki,* Lamarck's sheet

*A. tenuifolia,* Thin leaf lettuce

*Leptoseris cucullata,* Sunray lettuce

Family Astrocoeniidae

*Stephanocoenia michelinii,* Blushing star

Family Caryophylliidae

*Eusmilia fastigiata,* Flower coral

*Tubastrea aurea,* Cup coral

Family Faviidae

*Cladocora arbuscula,* Tube coral

*Colpophyllia natans,* Boulder coral

*Diploria clivosa,* Knobby brain coral

*D. labyrinthiformis,* Grooved brain

*D. strigosa,* Symmetrical brain

*Favia fragum,* Golfball coral

*Manicina areolata,* Rose coral

*M. mayori,* Tortugas rose coral

*Montastrea annularis,* Boulder star coral

*M. cavernosa,* Great star coral

*Solenastrea bournoni,* Smooth star coral

Family Meandrinidae

*Dendrogyra cylindrus,* Pillar coral

*Dichocoenia stellaris,* Pancake star

*D. stokesi,* Elliptical star

*Meandrina meandrites,* Maze coral

Family Mussidae

*Isophyllastrea rigida,* Rough star coral

*Isophyllia sinuosa,* Sinuous cactus

*Mussa angulosa,* Large flower coral

*Mycetophyllia aliciae,* Thin fungus coral

*M. danae,* Fat fungus coral

*M. ferox,* Grooved fungus

*M. lamarckiana,* Fungus coral

*Scolymia cubensis,* Artichoke coral

*S. lacera,* Solitary disk

Family Oculinidae

*Oculina diffusa,* Ivory bush coral

Family Pocilloporidae

*Madracis decactis,* Ten-ray star coral

*M. mirabilis,* Yellow pencil

Family Poritidae

*Porites astreoides,* Mustard hill coral

*P. branneri,* Blue crust coral

*P. divaricata,* Small finger coral

*P. porites,* Finger coral

Family Rhizangiidae

*Astrangia solitaria,* Dwarf cup coral

*Phyllangia americana,* Hidden cup coral

Family Siderastreidae

*Siderastrea radians,* Lesser starlet

*S. siderea,* Massive starlet

4. Black Corals—Order Antipatharia

*Antipathes* spp., Bushy black coral

*Stichopathes* spp., Wire coral

II. [Reserved]

Aquarium Trade Species in the Caribbean Coral FMP

I. Sponges—Phylum Porifera

A. Demosponges—Class Demospongiae

*Amphimedon compressa,* Erect rope sponge

*Chondrilla nucula,* Chicken liver sponge

Cinachyrella alloclada

*Geodia neptuni,* Potato sponge

*Haliclona* spp., Finger sponge

*Myriastra* spp.

*Niphates digitalis,* Pink vase sponge

*N. erecta,* Lavender rope sponge

Spinosella plicifera

*S. vaginalis*

Tethya crypta

II. Coelenterates—Phylum Coelenterata

A. Anthozoans—Class Anthozoa

1. Anemones—Order Actiniaria

*Aiptasia tagetes,* Pale anemone

*Bartholomea annulata,* Corkscrew anemone

*Condylactis gigantea,* Giant pink-tipped anemone

*Heteractis lucida,* Knobby anemone

*Lebrunia* spp., Staghorn anemone

*Stichodactyla helianthus,* Sun anemone

2. Colonial Anemones—Order Zoanthidea

*Zoanthus* spp., Sea mat

3. False Corals—Order Corallimorpharia

*Discosoma* spp. (formerly *Rhodactis* ), False coral

*Ricordea florida,* Florida false coral

III. Annelid Worms—Phylum Annelida

A. Polychaetes—Class Polychaeta

Family Sabellidae, Feather duster worms

*Sabellastarte* spp., Tube worms

*S. magnifica,* Magnificent duster

Family Serpulidae

*Spirobranchus giganteus,* Christmas tree worm

IV. Mollusks—Phylum Mollusca

A. Gastropods—Class Gastropoda

Family Elysiidae

*Tridachia crispata,* Lettuce sea slug

Family Olividae

*Oliva reticularis,* Netted olive

Family Ovulidae

*Cyphoma gibbosum,* Flamingo tongue

B. Bivalves—Class Bivalvia

Family Limidae

*Lima* spp., Fileclams

*L. scabra,* Rough fileclam

Family Spondylidae

*Spondylus americanus,* Atlantic thorny oyster

C. Cephalopods—Class Cephalopoda

1. Octopuses—Order Octopoda

Family Octopodidae

*Octopus* spp. (except the Common octopus, *O. vulgaris* )

V. Arthropods—Phylum Arthropoda

A. Crustaceans—Subphylum Crustacea

1. Decapods—Order Decapoda

Family Alpheidae

*Alpheus armatus,* Snapping shrimp

Family Diogenidae

*Paguristes* spp., Hermit crabs

*P. cadenati,* Red reef hermit

Family Grapsidae

*Percnon gibbesi,* Nimble spray crab

Family Hippolytidae

*Lysmata* spp., Peppermint shrimp

*Thor amboinensis,* Anemone shrimp

Family Majidae, Coral crabs

*Mithrax* spp., Clinging crabs

*M. cinctimanus,* Banded clinging

*M. sculptus,* Green clinging

*Stenorhynchus seticornis,* Yellowline arrow

Family Palaemonida

*Periclimenes* spp., Cleaner shrimp

Family Squillidae, Mantis crabs

*Gonodactylus* spp.

*Lysiosquilla* spp.

Family Stenopodidae, Coral shrimp

*Stenopus hispidus,* Banded shrimp

*S. scutellatus,* Golden shrimp

VI. Echinoderms—Phylum Echinodermata

A. Feather stars—Class Crinoidea

*Analcidometra armata,* Swimming crinoid

*Davidaster* spp., Crinoids

*Nemaster* spp., Crinoids

B. Sea stars—Class Asteroidea

*Astropecten* spp., Sand stars

*Linckia guildingii,* Common comet star

*Ophidiaster guildingii,* Comet star

*Oreaster reticulatus,* Cushion sea star

C. Brittle and basket stars—Class Ophiuroidea

*Astrophyton muricatum,* Giant basket star

*Ophiocoma* spp., Brittlestars

*Ophioderma* spp., Brittlestars

*O. rubicundum,* Ruby brittlestar

D. Sea Urchins—Class Echinoidea

*Diadema antillarum,* Long-spined urchin

*Echinometra* spp., Purple urchin

*Eucidaris tribuloides,* Pencil urchin

*Lytechinus* spp., Pin cushion urchin

*Tripneustes ventricosus,* Sea egg

E. Sea Cucumbers—Class Holothuroidea

*Holothuria* spp., Sea cucumbers

VII. Chordates—Phylum Chordata

A. Tunicates—Subphylum Urochordata

**Table 2 of Appendix A to Part 622—Caribbean Reef Fish**

Lutjanidae—Snappers

Unit 1

Black snapper, *Apsilus dentatus*

Blackfin snapper, *Lutjanus buccanella*

Silk snapper, *Lutjanus vivanus*

Vermilion snapper, *Rhomboplites aurorubens*

Wenchman, *Pristipomoides aquilonaris*

Unit 2

Cardinal, *Pristipomoides macrophthalmus*

Queen snapper, *Etelis oculatus*

Unit 3

Gray snapper, *Lutjanus griseus*

Lane snapper, *Lutjanus synagris*

Mutton snapper, *Lutjanus analis*

Dog snapper, *Lutjanus jocu*

Schoolmaster, *Lutjanus apodus*

Mahogany snapper, *Lutjanus mahogoni*

Unit 4

Yellowtail snapper, *Ocyurus chrysurus*

Serranidae—Sea basses and Groupers

Unit 1

Nassau Grouper, *Epinephelus striatus*

Unit 2

Goliath grouper, *Epinephelus itajara*

Unit 3

Coney, *Epinephelus fulvus*

Graysby, *Epinephelus cruentatus*

Red hind, *Epinephelus guttatus*

Rock hind, *Epinephelus adscensionis*

Unit 4

Black grouper, *Mycteroperca bonaci*

Red grouper, *Epinephelus morio*

Tiger grouper, *Mycteroperca tigris*

Yellowfin grouper, *Mycteroperca venenosa*

Unit 5

Misty grouper, *Epinephelus mystacinus*

Yellowedge grouper, *Epinephelus flavolimbatus*

Haemulidae—Grunts

White grunt, *Haemulon plumierii*

Margate, *Haemulon album*

Tomtate, *Haemulon aurolineatum*

Bluestriped grunt, *Haemulon sciurus*

French grunt, *Haemulon flavolineatum*

Porkfish, *Anisotremus virginicus*

Mullidae—Goatfishes

Spotted goatfish, *Pseudupeneus maculatus*

Yellow goatfish, *Mulloidichthys martinicus*

Sparidae—Porgies

Jolthead porgy, *Calamus bajonado*

Sea bream, *Archosargus rhomboidalis*

Sheepshead porgy, *Calamus penna*

Pluma, *Calamus pennatula*

Holocentridae—Squirrelfishes

Blackbar soldierfish, *Myripristis jacobus*

Bigeye, *Priacanthus arenatus*

Longspine squirrelfish, *Holocentrus rufus*

Squirrelfish, *Holocentrus adscensionis*

Malacanthidae—Tilefishes

Blackline tilefish, *Caulolatilus cyanops*

Sand tilefish, *Malacanthus plumieri*

Carangidae—Jacks

Blue runner, *Caranx crysos*

Horse-eye jack, *Caranx latus*

Black jack, *Caranx lugubris*

Almaco jack, *Seriola rivoliana*

Bar jack, *Caranx ruber*

Greater amberjack, *Seriola dumerili*

Yellow jack, *Caranx bartholomaei*

Scaridae—Parrotfishes

Blue parrotfish, *Scarus coeruleus*

Midnight parrotfish, *Scarus coelestinus*

Princess parrotfish, *Scarus taeniopterus*

Queen parrotfish, *Scarus vetula*

Rainbow parrotfish, *Scarus guacamaia*

Redfin parrotfish, *Sparisoma rubripinne*

Redtail parrotfish, *Sparisoma chrysopterum*

Stoplight parrotfish, *Sparisoma viride*

Redband parrotfish, *Sparisoma aurofrenatum*

Striped parrotfish, *Scarus croicensis*

Acanthuridae—Surgeonfishes

Blue tang, *Acanthurus coeruleus*

Ocean surgeonfish, *Acanthurus bahianus*

Doctorfish, *Acanthurus chirurgus*

Balistidae—Triggerfishes

Ocean triggerfish, *Canthidermis sufflamen*

Queen triggerfish, *Balistes vetula*

Sargassum triggerfish, *Xanthichthys ringens*

Monacanthidae—Filefishes

Scrawled filefish, *Aluterus scriptus*

Whitespotted filefish, *Cantherhines macrocerus*

Black durgon, *Melichthys niger*

Ostraciidae—Boxfishes

Honeycomb cowfish, *Lactophrys polygonia*

Scrawled cowfish, *Lactophrys quadricornis*

Trunkfish, *Lactophrys trigonus*

Spotted trunkfish, *Lactophrys bicaudalis*

Smooth trunkfish, *Lactophrys triqueter*

Labridae—Wrasses

Hogfish, *Lachnolaimus maximus*

Puddingwife, *Halichoeres radiatus*

Spanish hogfish, *Bodianus rufus*

Pomacanthidae—Angelfishes

Queen angelfish, *Holacanthus ciliaris*

Gray angelfish, *Pomacanthus arcuatus*

French angelfish, *Pomacanthus paru*

Aquarium Trade Species in the Caribbean Reef Fish FMP:

Frogfish, *Antennarius* spp.

Flamefish, *Apogon maculatus*

Conchfish, *Astrapogon stellatus*

Redlip blenny, *Ophioblennius atlanticus*

Peacock flounder, *Bothus lunatus*

Longsnout butterflyfish, *Chaetodon aculeatus*

Foureye butterflyfish, *Chaetodon capistratus*

Spotfin butterflyfish, *Chaetodon ocellatus*

Banded butterflyfish, *Chaetodon striatus*

Redspotted hawkfish, *Amblycirrhitus pinos*

Flying gurnard, *Dactylopterus volitans*

Atlantic spadefish, *Chaetodipterus faber*

Neon goby, *Gobiosoma oceanops*

Rusty goby, *Priolepis hipoliti*

Royal gramma, *Gramma loreto*

Creole wrasse, *Clepticus parrae*

Yellowcheek wrasse, *Halichoeres cyanocephalus*

Yellowhead wrasse, *Halichoeres garnoti*

Clown wrasse, *Halichoeres maculipinna*

Pearly razorfish, *Hemipteronotus novacula*

Green razorfish, *Hemipteronotus splendens*

Bluehead wrasse, *Thalassoma bifasciatum*

Chain moray, *Echidna catenata*

Green moray, *Gymnothorax funebris*

Goldentail moray, *Gymnothorax miliaris*

Batfish, *Ogcocephalus* spp.

Goldspotted eel, *Myrichthys ocellatus*

Yellowhead jawfish, *Opistognathus aurifrons*

Dusky jawfish, *Opistognathus whitehursti*

Cherubfish, *Centropyge argi*

Rock beauty, *Holacanthus tricolor*

Sergeant major, *Abudefduf saxatilis*

Blue chromis, *Chromis cyanea*

Sunshinefish, *Chromis insolata*

Yellowtail damselfish, *Microspathodon chrysurus*

Dusky damselfish, *Pomacentrus fuscus*

Beaugregory, *Pomacentrus leucostictus*

Bicolor damselfish, *Pomacentrus partitus*

Threespot damselfish, *Pomacentrus planifrons*

Glasseye snapper, *Priacanthus cruentatus*

High-hat, *Equetus acuminatus*

Jackknife-fish, *Equetus lanceolatus*

Spotted drum, *Equetus punctatus*

Scorpaenidae—Scorpionfishes

Butter hamlet, *Hypoplectrus unicolor*

Swissguard basslet, *Liopropoma rubre*

Greater soapfish, *Rypticus saponaceus*

Orangeback bass, *Serranus annularis*

Lantern bass, *Serranus baldwini*

Tobaccofish, *Serranus tabacarius*

Harlequin bass, *Serranus tigrinus*

Chalk bass, *Serranus tortugarum*

Caribbean tonguefish, *Symphurus arawak*

Seahorses, *Hippocampus* spp.

Pipefishes, *Syngnathus* spp.

Sand diver, *Synodus intermedius*

Sharpnose puffer, *Canthigaster rostrata*

Porcupinefish, *Diodon hystrix*

**50 CFR Part 622**

3. Appendix E to part 622 is revised to read as follows:

**Appendix E to Part 622—Caribbean Island/Island Group Management Areas**

**Table 1 of Appendix E to Part 622—
                        Coordinates of the Puerto Rico Management Area.**

The Puerto Rico management area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points.

| Point | North latitude | West longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A (intersects with the International/EEZ boundary) | 19°37′29″ | 65°20′57″ |
| B | 18°25′46.3015″ | 65°06′31.866″ |
| From Point B, proceed southerly along the 3-nautical mile Territorial boundary of the St. Thomas/St. John island group to Point C |  |  |
| C | 18°13′59.0606″ | 65°05′33.058″ |
| D | 18°01′16.9636″ | 64°57′38.817″ |
| E | 17°30′00.000″ | 65°20′00.1716″ |
| F | 16°02′53.5812″ | 65°20′00.1716″' |
| From Point F, proceed southwesterly, then northerly, then easterly, and finally southerly along the International/EEZ boundary to Point A |  |  |
| A (intersects with the International/EEZ boundary) | 19°37′29″ | 65°20′57″ |

**Table 2 of Appendix E to Part 622—
                        Coordinates of the St. Croix Management Area.**

The St. Croix management area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points.

| Point | North latitude | West longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G | 18°03′03″ | 64°38′03″ |
| From Point G, proceed easterly, then southerly, then southwesterly along the International/EEZ boundary to Point F |  |  |
| F | 16°02′53.5812″ | 65°20′00.1716″ |
| E | 17°30′00.000″ | 65°20′00.1716″ |
| D | 18°01′16.9636″ | 64°57′38.817″ |
| G | 18°03′03″ | 64°38′03″ |

**Table 3 of Appendix E to Part 622—
                        Coordinates of the St. Thomas/St. John Management Area.**

The St. Thomas/St. John management area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points.

| Point | North latitude | West longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A (intersects with the International/EEZ boundary) | 19°37′29″ | 65°20′57″ |
| From Point A, proceed southeasterly along the International/EEZ boundary to Point G |  |  |
| G | 18°03′03″ | 64°38′03″ |
| D | 18°01′16.9636″ | 64°57′38.817″ |
| C | 18°13′59.0606″ | 65°05′33.058″ |
| From Point C, proceed northerly along the 3-nautical mile Territorial boundary of the St. Thomas/St. John island group to Point B |  |  |
| B | 18°25′46.3015″ | 65°06′31.866″ |
| A (intersects with the International/EEZ boundary) | 19°37′29″ | 65°20′57″ |