NOAA Fisheries Announces Changes to the Management of the Rainbow Runner in Federal Waters around Puerto Rico

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Key Message:

• NOAA Fisheries announces changes to the management of the rainbow runner in Puerto Rico federal waters through a final rule implementing Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (Amendment 4).
• Amendment 4 and its final rule reclassify the rainbow runner, Elagatis bipinnulata , from a reef fish to a pelagic fish under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan.
• This change better aligns federal management with the species' natural life history and fishing patterns.

When the Rule will Take Effect:

Regulations will be effective October 5, 2026.

What this Means:

Regulations implementing Amendment 4 update management by:

• Excluding rainbow runner from specific harvest constraints applicable to Reef Fish, including the Bajo de Sico fishing prohibition in western Puerto Rico and the aggregate recreational bag limit.
• Establishing an annual catch target for each fishing sector (commercial and recreational) consistent with management of the Pelagic Fish group;
• Modifying rainbow runner accountability measures to be consistent with those applied to the Pelagic Fish group under the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan.

These changes increase flexibility and expand harvest opportunities for the commercial and recreational sectors.

The purpose of Amendment 4 and its final rule is to ensure that rainbow runner is managed consistent with its life history characteristics, fishing patterns, and the Caribbean Fishery Management Council's management of other pelagic species.

Formal Federal Register Name/Number: 91 FR 63160 , published October 5, 2026.

Amendment 4 and its rulemaking can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-4-puerto-rico-fishery-management-plan-reclassification-rainbow-runner-pelagic-fish

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Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202