Caribbean Fishery Management Council

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC), headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a federal government entity responsible for managing fishery resources in the U.S. Caribbean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a Regional Fishery Management Council, the organization focuses on creating comprehensive fishery management plans, conservation efforts, and ensuring sustainable utilization of marine resources. The CFMC operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and plays a critical role in marine ecosystem research, stakeholder engagement, and developing strategies to prevent overfishing and promote long-term fishery health.

The CFMC has been awarded multiple cooperative agreements from NOAA, primarily under the Regional Fishery Management Councils federal grant program (CFDA 11.441), focusing on advanced marine research and conservation initiatives. Recent grant activities have included detailed studies of grouper spawning aggregations, utilizing sophisticated technologies such as diver underwater visual census, stereo diver operated video, remotely operated vehicle video, and passive acoustic monitoring. The council has conducted comprehensive research on red hind reproductive activity, oceanographic data collection, and habitat characterization at specific marine sites like Tourmaline Reef. Additionally, the CFMC has been developing climate resilience research, engaging local fishermen in data collection methods, and working to create adaptive management strategies for fishery resources. Their recent grants, ranging from $350,000 to $4,813,042, support projects that run from 2022 to 2028, demonstrating a sustained commitment to marine ecosystem research and sustainable fishery management in the Caribbean region.