---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 C.F.R. § 622.481"
title: "50"
number: "622.481"
heading: "Size limits."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/50/622.481"
---

# §622.481. 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. Croix 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. Croix is responsible for ensuring that all species on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this section. See [§ 622.10](/cfr/50/622.10.md) regarding requirements for landing fish intact. See [§ 622.485(c)(2)](/cfr/50/622.485.md?p=c-2) regarding requirements for landing spiny lobster intact. See [§ 622.485(e)](/cfr/50/622.485.md?p=e) regarding requirements for landing queen conch with the meat and shell intact.

- (a) **Reef fish.**
  - (1) **Yellowtail snapper—** 12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
  - (2) Parrotfishes, except for redband parrotfish, and prohibited blue parrotfish, midnight parrotfish, or rainbow parrotfish—9 inches (22.9 cm), FL.
  - (3) **Redband parrotfish—** 8 inches (20.3 cm), FL.
- (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.
- (d) [Reserved]
- (e) **Queen conch.**
  - (1) The minimum size limit is either 9 inches (22.9 cm) in length, that is, from the tip of the spire to the distal end of the shell, or 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) in lip width at its widest point.
  - (2) A queen conch not in compliance with its size limit, as specified in [paragraph (e)(1)](#e-1) of this section, in or from the EEZ around St. Croix, 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. Croix is responsible for ensuring that queen conch on board are in compliance with the size limit specified in [paragraph (e)(1)](#e-1) this section.

## Notes

### Amendments

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

### Source

Source: 87 FR 56217, Sept. 13, 2022 unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

### Source

Source: 78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

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