The harvest and possession restrictions of this section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John is responsible for the limit applicable to that vessel. Any of the following species caught in the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John must be released immediately with a minimum of harm.

(a) Reef fish. No person may fish for or possess the following reef fish species in or from the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John.

(1) Goliath grouper or Nassau grouper.

(2) Blue parrotfish, midnight parrotfish, or rainbow parrotfish.

(b)-(c) [Reserved]

(d) Coral, sea cucumber, and sea urchin. A coral, sea cucumber, or sea urchin may not be fished for or possessed in or from the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John. The taking of coral in the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John is not considered unlawful possession provided it is returned immediately to the sea in the general area of fishing.

(e) Queen conch. No person may fish for or possess queen conch in or from the EEZ around St. Thomas and St. John.