DOCSLIB.ORG

FINAL REEF FISH AMENDMENT 30B: October 2008

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
FINAL REEF FISH AMENDMENT 30B: October 2008 rev.10/10/2008 FINAL REEF FISH AMENDMENT 30B: GAG – END OVERFISHING AND SET MANAGEMENT THRESHOLDS AND TARGETS, RED GROUPER – SET OPTIMUM YIELD TAC AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES, TIME/AREA CLOSURES, AND FEDERAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE Including Environmental Impact Statement, Regulatory Impact Review, and Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis October 2008 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 National Marine Fisheries Service Tampa, Florida 33607 Southeast Regional Office th 813-348-1630 263 13 Avenue South 813-348-1711 (fax) St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 888-833-1844 Toll Free 727-824-5308 [email protected] 727-824-5305 (fax) http://www.gulfcouncil.org http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov This is a publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA05NMF4410003. This page left intentionally blank Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT IV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VII FISHERY IMPACT STATEMENT - SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT XXII INTRODUCTION XXII PROBLEMS AND METHODS XXII SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DATA NEEDS XXIII FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (FEIS) COVER SHEET XXVI 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 BACKGROUND 1 1.2 STATUS OF THE RED GROUPER AND GAG STOCKS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO 3 1.2.1 Gag35B Stock Assessment (SEDAR 10) With Subsequent Reanalysis 3 1.2.2 Red6B Grouper Stock Assessment (SEDAR 12) 11 1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION 15 1.4 HISTORY OF MANAGEMENT 17 2 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 25 2.1 ACTION 1. SET GAG THRESHOLDS AND BENCHMARKS 25 2.2 ACTION 2. RED GROUPER MINIMUM STOCK SIZE THRESHOLD (MOVED TO CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED) 30 2.3 ACTION 3. SET GAG TAC 30 2.4 ACTION 4. SET RED GROUPER TAC 36 2.5 ACTION 5. RED GROUPER AND GAG ALLOCATIONS 41 2.6 ACTION 6. SHALLOW-WATER GROUPER ANNUAL CATCH LIMITS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES 47 2.7 ACTION 7. SHALLOW-WATER GROUPER, RED GROUPER AND GAG COMMERCIAL QUOTAS 55 2.8 ACTION 8. APPLICATION OF QUOTA CLOSURES 59 2.9 ACTION 9. RECREATIONAL HARVEST OF GAG AND RED GROUPER 67 2.10 ACTION 10. ALTERNATIVES TO REDUCE DISCARD MORTALITY OF GROUPER 89 2.11 ACTION 11. CREATION OF TIME/AREA CLOSURES 93 2.12 ACTION 12. DURATION OF TIME/AREA CLOSURES 105 2.13 ACTION 13. FEDERAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 112 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY AND AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 116 3.1 DESCRIPTION OF GEAR TYPES USED IN THE COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERIES 116 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 118 3.3 DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 122 3.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 130 3.4.1 Commercial Sector 130 3.4.2 Recreational Sector 148 i 3.4.3 Affected Environment, Social 171 3.4.4 Madeira Beach, Florida (incorporated, pop. 4,511) 174 3.4.5 Panama City, Florida (incorporated, pop. 36,417) 178 3.4.6 St. Petersburg, Florida (incorporated, pop. 248,232) 182 3.5 ADMINISTRATIVE ENVIRONMENT 186 4 BYCATCH PRACTICABILITY ANALYSES 187 5 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 203 5.1 ACTION 1. SET GAG THRESHOLDS AND BENCHMARKS 203 5.2 ACTION 2. RED GROUPER MINIMUM STOCK SIZE THRESHOLD 209 5.3 ACTION 3. SET GAG TAC 209 5.4 ACTION 4. SET RED GROUPER TAC 221 5.5 ACTION 5. RED GROUPER AND GAG ALLOCATIONS 227 5.6 ACTION 6. SHALLOW-WATER GROUPER ANNUAL CATCH LIMITS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES 239 5.7 ACTION 7. SHALLOW-WATER GROUPER, RED GROUPER, AND GAG COMMERCIAL QUOTAS 243 5.8 ACTION 8. APPLICATION OF QUOTA CLOSURES 252 5.9 ACTION 9. RECREATIONAL HARVEST OF GAG AND RED GROUPER 266 5.10 ACTION 10. ALTERNATIVES TO REDUCE DISCARD MORTALITY OF GROUPER 281 5.11 ACTION 11. CREATION OF TIME/AREA CLOSURES 293 5.12 ACTION 12. DURATION OF TIME/AREA CLOSURES 308 5.13 ACTION 13. FEDERAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 313 5.14 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSES (CEA) 319 5.15 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE EFFECTS 345 5.16 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM USES AND LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 346 5.17 MITIGATION, MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES 347 5.18 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 348 5.19 ANY OTHER DISCLOSURES 349 6. REGULATORY IMPACT REVIEW 350 6.1 INTRODUCTION 350 6.2 PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN THE FISHERIES 351 6.3 OBJECTIVES 351 6.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERIES 351 6.5 IMPACTS OF MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 351 6.5.1 Action 1: Set Gag Thresholds and Benchmarks 351 6.5.2 Action 2: Action Moved to the Considered but Rejected Section 352 6.5.3 Action 3: Set Gag TAC 352 6.5.4 Action 4: Set Red Grouper TAC 352 6.5.5 Action 5: Gag and Red Grouper Allocations 353 6.5.6 Action 6: Shallow-water grouper Interim Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures 353 6.5.7 Action 7: Shallow Water, Gag and Red Grouper Commercial Quotas 353 6.5.8 Action 8: Application of Quota Closures 354 6.5.9 Action 9: Recreational Harvest of Gag and Red Grouper 354 ii 6.5.10 Action 10: Grouper Discard Mortality Reduction 355 6.5.11 Action 11: Creation of Time/Area Closures 355 6.5.12 Action 12: Duration of Time/Area Closures 356 6.5.13 Action 13: Federal Regulatory Compliance 356 6.6 PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COSTS 356 6.7 DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANT REGULATORY ACTION 357 7 REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT ANALYSIS 357 8 OTHER APPLICABLE LAW 370 9 LIST OF PREPARERS 377 10 LIST OF AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PERSONS TO WHOM COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT/EIS ARE SENT 377 11 PUBLIC HEARING LOCATIONS AND DATES 378 12 SCOPING HEARING SUMMARIES 378 13 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED 401 ACTION 2. RED GROUPER MINIMUM STOCK SIZE THRESHOLD 401 ACTION 8. APPLICATION OF QUOTA CLOSURES 402 ACTION 9. RECREATIONAL HARVEST OF GAG AND RED GROUPER 408 ACTION 10. ALTERNATIVES TO REDUCE DISCARD MORTALITY OF GROUPER 410 14 REFERENCES 413 15 INDEX 424 16 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON DEIS 428 iii ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT AA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries ABC Allowable Biological Catch ACL Annual Catch Limit ALS Accumulated Landings System (commercial fishing statistics) AM Accountability Measures APA Administrative Procedures Act ASPIC A Stock Production Model Incorporating Covariates B Biomass BiOp Biological Opinion CEA Cumulative Effects Analysis CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CFLP Coastal Fisheries Logbook Program CFR Code of Federal Regulations CMP Coastal Migratory Pelagic COI Certificate of Inspection Council Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council CPI Consumer Price Index CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act DQA Data Qualtiy Act DEIS Draft EIS EA Environmental Assessment EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EFH Essential Fish Habitat EIS Environmental Impact Statement ELMR Estuarine Living Marine Resources E.O. Executive Order ESA Endangered Species Act F Instantaneous Fishing Mortality Rate FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FEIS Final EIS FL Fork Length FLS Fisheries Logbook System FMP Fishery Management Plan FR Federal Register GAJ Greater Amberjack GMFMC Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council GOM Gulf of Mexico GOMFF Gulf of Mexico Finfish GOMRF Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish GTF Gray Triggerfish GULFFIN Gulf Fisheries Information Network HAPC Habitat Area of Particular Concern iv IFQ Individual Fishing Quota IRFA Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis M Natural Mortality Rate MFMT Maximum fishing mortality threshold (overfishing threshold) MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act mp million pounds MRFSS Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey MSFCMA Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act MSRA Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act MSST Minimum stock size threshold (overfished threshold) MSY Maximum sustainable yield NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NOAA National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration NOS National Ocean Service OMB Office of Management and Budget OY Optimum yield PRA Paperwork Reduction Act RA Regional Administrator, SERO RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act RFFA Reasonalbly Foreseeable Future Action RFSAP Reef Fish Stock Assessment Panel RIR Regulatory Impact Review SAV Submerged Aquatic Vegetation SAFMC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council SEIS Supplemental EIS SEAMAP Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center SEDAR Southeast Data, Assessment and Review SERO Southeast Regional Office (NMFS) SFA Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 SIA Social Impact Assessment SL Standard Length SMZ Special Management Zone SPR Spawning Potential Ratio SSB Spawning Stock Biomass SSBR Spawning Stock Biomass per Recruit SSC Scientific and Statistical Committee TAC Total allowable catch TIP Trip Interview Program TL Total length TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department USGC U. S. Coast Guard VEC Valued Environmental Component VPA Virtual Population Analyses wF West Florida v VMS Vessel Monitoring System YPR Yield per Recruit vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Stock assessments were conducted in 2006 under the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process for gag (SEDAR 10) and red grouper (SEDAR 12), with additional analyses conducted in 2007. Both assessments were subsequently re-evaluated, resulting in corrections to some of the gag data inputs. While red grouper was found to have fully recovered from its previous condition of overfished and undergoing overfishing, gag were found to be undergoing overfishing as of 2004. The overfished status for gag is undetermined since gag do not have a Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) compliant definition for minimum stock size threshold (MSST). However, under any MSST definition considered in this amendment, gag was not overfished in 2004. Red grouper were placed under a rebuilding plan in 2004. The stock had been found to be overfished and undergoing overfishing in both a 1999 stock assessment and a subsequent 2002 assessment. However, the 2002 assessment indicated that the stock was recovering faster than previously estimated, most likely due to a strong recruitment year class in 1997. Management measures implemented in 2004 as part of the rebuilding plan included a reduced aggregate commercial shallow-water grouper quota, a red grouper quota within the aggregate quota, and a recreational bag limit of two red grouper within the five fish aggregate grouper bag limit.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fish Spawning Aggregations
    Fish Spawning Aggregations a focal point of fisheries management and marine conservation in Mexico Photo: Octavio Aburto Authorship Brad Erisman – Coastal Fisheries Research Program, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373 William Heyman – LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc., 4103 S. Texas Avenue, Bryan TX 77802 Stuart Fulton – Comunidad y Biodiversidad, Isla del Peruano 215, Lomas de Miramar, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico Timothy Rowell – Gulf of California Marine Program, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 Illustrations – Larry Allen and Madeline Wukusick Graphic Design – Madeline Wukusick | www.communique.design Photography – Octavio Aburto, Richard Barnden, Douglas David Seifert, Walt Stearns, Cristina Limonta, Alfredo Barroso Citation – Erisman, B., W.D. Heyman, S. Fulton, and T.Rowell 2018. Fish spawning aggregations: a focal point of fisheries management and marine conservation in Mexico. Gulf of California Marine Program, La Jolla, CA. 24 p. Email Contact: Brad Erisman, [email protected] Fish Spawning Aggregations // 2 Contents > Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 > What are fish spawning aggregations (FSAs)? ............................................................................................................ 5 > What kinds of fishes form FSAs? ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report Characterization of Commercial Reef Fish Catch And
    SEDAR 15-RD07 Final Report Characterization of commercial reef fish catch and bycatch off the southeast coast of the United States. CRP Grant No. NA03NMF4540416 Funding amount: $100,000 Federal $4,130 Match Patrick J. Harris and Jessica Stephen Marine Resources Research Institute South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 217 Fort Johnson Road P.O. Box 12559 Charleston, SC 29412 I. Characterization of commercial reef fish catch and bycatch off the southeast coast of the United States. Patrick J. Harris, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, SC 29412. Grant Number: NA03NMF4540416 July 2005. II. Abstract There is clearly a need to characterize the entire catch of commercial fishermen and compare differences in abundance and species diversity to what is caught in fishery-independent gear. As we move towards a multi-species management approach, these types of data are essential. In addition, estimates of release mortality are needed for stock assessments but currently this is not being measured for fishery-dependent data. Many reef fishes captured at depths greater than ~ 20 m often have problems submerging when released by commercial fishermen. The goal of the research project was to characterize the entire (retained and discarded) catch of reef fishes from a selected commercial fisherman including total catch composition and disposition of fishes that were released. During April- November 2004, Captain Mark Marhefka dedicated one fishing trip (5-7 day duration) each month to the collection of fishery-dependent data. Date, location and collection number were recorded for each site fished by Captain Marhefka using a PDA equipped with a GPS.
    [Show full text]
  • RNA Detection Technology for Applications in Marine Science: Microbes to Fish Robert Michael Ulrich University of South Florida, [email protected]
    University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 6-25-2014 RNA Detection Technology for Applications in Marine Science: Microbes to Fish Robert Michael Ulrich University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, and the Molecular Biology Commons Scholar Commons Citation Ulrich, Robert Michael, "RNA Detection Technology for Applications in Marine Science: Microbes to Fish" (2014). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5321 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. RNA Detection Technology for Applications in Marine Science: Microbes to Fish by Robert M. Ulrich A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Marine Science University of South Florida Major Professor: John H. Paul, Ph.D. Valerie J. Harwood, Ph.D. Mya Breitbart, Ph.D. Christopher D. Stallings, Ph.D. David E. John, Ph.D. Date of Approval June 25, 2014 Keywords: NASBA, grouper, Karenia mikimotoi, Enterococcus Copyright © 2014, Robert M. Ulrich DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my fiancée, Dr. Shannon McQuaig for inspiring my return to graduate school and her continued support over the last four years. On no other porch in our little town have there been more impactful scientific discussions, nor more words of encouragement. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I gratefully acknowledge the many people who have encouraged and advised me throughout my graduate studies.
    [Show full text]
  • Valuable but Vulnerable: Over-Fishing and Under-Management Continue to Threaten Groupers So What Now?
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339934856 Valuable but vulnerable: Over-fishing and under-management continue to threaten groupers so what now? Article in Marine Policy · June 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103909 CITATIONS READS 15 845 17 authors, including: João Pedro Barreiros Alfonso Aguilar-Perera University of the Azores - Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán -México 215 PUBLICATIONS 2,177 CITATIONS 94 PUBLICATIONS 1,085 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Pedro Afonso Brad E. Erisman IMAR Institute of Marine Research / OKEANOS NOAA / NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center 152 PUBLICATIONS 2,700 CITATIONS 170 PUBLICATIONS 2,569 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Comparative assessments of vocalizations in Indo-Pacific groupers View project Study on the reef fishes of the south India View project All content following this page was uploaded by Matthew Thomas Craig on 25 March 2020. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Marine Policy 116 (2020) 103909 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Marine Policy journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/marpol Full length article Valuable but vulnerable: Over-fishing and under-management continue to threaten groupers so what now? Yvonne J. Sadovy de Mitcheson a,b, Christi Linardich c, Joao~ Pedro Barreiros d, Gina M. Ralph c, Alfonso Aguilar-Perera e, Pedro Afonso f,g,h, Brad E. Erisman i, David A. Pollard j, Sean T. Fennessy k, Athila A. Bertoncini l,m, Rekha J.
    [Show full text]
  • Snapper and Grouper: SFP Fisheries Sustainability Overview 2015
    Snapper and Grouper: SFP Fisheries Sustainability Overview 2015 Snapper and Grouper: SFP Fisheries Sustainability Overview 2015 Snapper and Grouper: SFP Fisheries Sustainability Overview 2015 Patrícia Amorim | Fishery Analyst, Systems Division | [email protected] Megan Westmeyer | Fishery Analyst, Strategy Communications and Analyze Division | [email protected] CITATION Amorim, P. and M. Westmeyer. 2016. Snapper and Grouper: SFP Fisheries Sustainability Overview 2015. Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Foundation. 18 pp. Available from www.fishsource.com. PHOTO CREDITS left: Image courtesy of Pedro Veiga (Pedro Veiga Photography) right: Image courtesy of Pedro Veiga (Pedro Veiga Photography) © Sustainable Fisheries Partnership February 2016 KEYWORDS Developing countries, FAO, fisheries, grouper, improvements, seafood sector, small-scale fisheries, snapper, sustainability www.sustainablefish.org i Snapper and Grouper: SFP Fisheries Sustainability Overview 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The goal of this report is to provide a brief overview of the current status and trends of the snapper and grouper seafood sector, as well as to identify the main gaps of knowledge and highlight areas where improvements are critical to ensure long-term sustainability. Snapper and grouper are important fishery resources with great commercial value for exporters to major international markets. The fisheries also support the livelihoods and food security of many local, small-scale fishing communities worldwide. It is therefore all the more critical that management of these fisheries improves, thus ensuring this important resource will remain available to provide both food and income. Landings of snapper and grouper have been steadily increasing: in the 1950s, total landings were about 50,000 tonnes, but they had grown to more than 612,000 tonnes by 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • Sedar50-Rd30
    Stock Complexes for Fisheries Management in the Gulf of Mexico Nicholas A. Farmer, Richard P. Malinowski, Mary F. McGovern, and Peter J. Rubec SEDAR50-RD30 22 July 2016 Marine and Coastal Fisheries Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science ISSN: (Print) 1942-5120 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/umcf20 Stock Complexes for Fisheries Management in the Gulf of Mexico Nicholas A. Farmer, Richard P. Malinowski, Mary F. McGovern & Peter J. Rubec To cite this article: Nicholas A. Farmer, Richard P. Malinowski, Mary F. McGovern & Peter J. Rubec (2016) Stock Complexes for Fisheries Management in the Gulf of Mexico, Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 8:1, 177-201, DOI: 10.1080/19425120.2015.1024359 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19425120.2015.1024359 Published with license by the American Fisheries Society© Nicholas A. Farmer, Richard P. Malinowski, Mary F. McGovern, and Peter J. Rubec Published online: 26 May 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 379 View related articles View Crossmark data Citing articles: 1 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=umcf20 Download by: [216.215.241.165] Date: 22 July 2016, At: 08:08 Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 8:177–201, 2016 Published with license by the American Fisheries Society ISSN: 1942-5120 online DOI: 10.1080/19425120.2015.1024359 SPECIAL SECTION: SPATIAL ANALYSIS, MAPPING, AND MANAGEMENT OF MARINE FISHERIES Stock Complexes for Fisheries Management in the Gulf of Mexico Nicholas A. Farmer* and Richard P.
    [Show full text]
  • Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus Striatus) in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, with Evidence for a Spawning Aggregation Site Recovery
    Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, with Evidence for a Spawning Aggregation Site Recovery ELIZABETH KADISON, RICHARD S. NEMETH, JEREMIAH BLONDEAU, TYLER SMITH, and JACQUI CALNAN Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands ABSTRACT The exploitation by fishing of fish spawning aggregations has caused many to disappear over the last fifty years, and has been a primary cause of dramatic stock declines of several large snapper and grouper species Caribbean-wide. In the USVI and Puerto Rico, the major Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) spawning aggregation sites were fished to extinction the 1970s, and although the species is now federally protected, most sites show no signs of recovery. In 2003, Nassau grouper were found aggregating in small numbers to spawn on an offshore reef south of St. Thomas called the Grammanik Bank. The bank was seasonally, from February to May, closed to all bottom fishing beginning in 2005 due to the aggregating of the yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) on the site. Since 2005, increased numbers, a significantly greater mean size, and a larger size range of Nassau grouper have been documented on the bank. The fish are spatially and temporally mixed with yellowfin grouper during courtship, and it is believed this behavior may be an artifact of decreased numbers of Nassau, now using the yellowfin as surrogate aggregation members. It is doubtful that any other large Nassau grouper spawning aggregation sites remain in the USVI, so the effectiveness of the Grammanik Bank fishing closure may play a significant role in the recovery of local stocks.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Demographic Parameter Synthesis for Exploited Florida and Caribbean Coral Reef Fishes
    Please do not remove this page Life history demographic parameter synthesis for exploited Florida and Caribbean coral reef fishes Stevens, Molly H; Smith, Steven Glen; Ault, Jerald Stephen https://scholarship.miami.edu/discovery/delivery/01UOML_INST:ResearchRepository/12378179400002976?l#13378179390002976 Stevens, M. H., Smith, S. G., & Ault, J. S. (2019). Life history demographic parameter synthesis for exploited Florida and Caribbean coral reef fishes. Fish and Fisheries (Oxford, England), 20(6), 1196–1217. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12405 Published Version: https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12405 Downloaded On 2021/09/28 21:22:59 -0400 Please do not remove this page Received: 11 April 2019 | Revised: 31 July 2019 | Accepted: 14 August 2019 DOI: 10.1111/faf.12405 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Life history demographic parameter synthesis for exploited Florida and Caribbean coral reef fishes Molly H. Stevens | Steven G. Smith | Jerald S. Ault Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Abstract Miami, FL, USA Age‐ or length‐structured stock assessments require reliable life history demo‐ Correspondence graphic parameters (growth, mortality, reproduction) to model population dynamics, Molly H. Stevens, Rosenstiel School of potential yields and stock sustainability. This study synthesized life history informa‐ Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, tion for 84 commercially exploited tropical reef fish species from Florida and the Miami, FL 33149, USA. U.S. Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). We attempted to identify a Email: [email protected] useable set of life history parameters for each species that included lifespan, length Funding information at age, weight at length and maturity at length.
    [Show full text]
  • Saltwater Fish Identification Guide
    Identification Guide To South Carolina Fishes Inshore Fishes Red Drum (Spottail, redfish, channel bass, puppy drum,) Sciaenops ocellatus May have multiple spots along dorsal surface.. RKW Black Drum Pogonias cromis Broad black vertical bars along body. Barbells on chin. Spotted Seatrout (Winter trout, speckled trout) Cynoscion nebulosus Numerous distinct black spots on dorsal surface. Most commonly encountered in rivers and estuaries. RKW Most commonly encountered just offshore around live bottom and artificial reefs. Weakfish (Summer trout, Gray trout) Cynoscion regalis RKW Silver coloration with no spots. Large eye Silver Seatrout Cynoscion nothus RKW Spot Leiostomus xanthurus Distinct spot on shoulder. RKW Atlantic Croaker (Hardhead) Micropogonias undulatus RKW Silver Perch (Virginia Perch) Bairdiella chrysoura RKW Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus Broad black vertical bars along body. RKW Pinfish (Sailors Choice) Lagodon rhomboides Distinct spot. RKW Southern Kingfish (Whiting) Menticirrhus americanus RKW Extended 1st dorsal filament Northern Kingfish SEAMAP- Menticirrhus saxatilis SA:RPW Dusky 1st dorsal-fin tip Black caudal fin tip Gulf Kingfish SEAMAP- Menticirrhus littoralis SA:RPW Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma No ocellated spots . RKW Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus Five ocellated spots in this distinct pattern. B. Floyd Gulf flounder Paralichthys albigutta B. Floyd Three ocellated spots in a triangle pattern. B. Floyd Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix RKW Inshore Lizardfish Synodus foetens RKW RKW Ladyfish Elops saurus Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus RKW Lookdown Selene vomer RKW Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber Juvenile RKW Juvenile spadefish are commonly found in SC estuaries. Adults, which look very similar to the specimen shown above, are common inhabitants of offshore reefs. Cobia Rachycentron canadum Adult D. Hammond Juvenile RKW D.
    [Show full text]
  • FISHES (C) Val Kells–November, 2019
    VAL KELLS Marine Science Illustration 4257 Ballards Mill Road - Free Union - VA - 22940 www.valkellsillustration.com [email protected] STOCK ILLUSTRATION LIST FRESHWATER and SALTWATER FISHES (c) Val Kells–November, 2019 Eastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico: brackish and saltwater fishes Subject to change. New illustrations added weekly. Atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa Sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus Deepwater chimaera, Hydrolagus affinis Atlantic spearnose chimaera, Rhinochimaera atlantica Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum Whale shark, Rhincodon typus Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus Ragged-tooth shark, Odontaspis ferox Crocodile Shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai Thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus Basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus White shark, Carcharodon carcharias Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus Longfin mako, Isurus paucus Porbeagle, Lamna nasus Freckled Shark, Scyliorhinus haeckelii Marbled catshark, Galeus arae Chain dogfish, Scyliorhinus retifer Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis Smalleye Smoothhound, Mustelus higmani Dwarf Smoothhound, Mustelus minicanis Florida smoothhound, Mustelus norrisi Gulf Smoothhound, Mustelus sinusmexicanus Blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus Bignose shark, Carcharhinus altimus Narrowtooth Shark, Carcharhinus brachyurus Spinner shark, Carcharhinus brevipinna Silky shark, Carcharhinus faiformis Finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon Galapagos Shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis Bull shark, Carcharinus leucus Blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus Oceanic whitetip shark,
    [Show full text]
  • Using Fishers' Anecdotes, Naturalists' Observations and Grey
    F I S H and F I S H E R I E S , 2005, 6, 121–133 Using fishers’ anecdotes, naturalists’ observations and grey literature to reassess marine species at risk: the case of the Gulf grouper in the Gulf of California, Mexico Andrea Sa´enz–Arroyo1,2, Callum M. Roberts2, Jorge Torre1 & Micheline Carin˜o-Olvera3 1Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C., Bahı´a de Bacochibampo, S/N Colonia Lomas de Corte´s, Guaymas, 85450 Sonora, Me´xico; 2Environment Department, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK; 3Universidad Auto´noma de Baja California Sur, A´ rea Interdisciplinaria de Ciencias Sociales, Apartado Postal 19 -B, La Paz, 23080 Baja California Sur, Me´xico Abstract Correspondence: Designing fishing policies without knowledge of past levels of target species Andrea Sa´enz– Arroyo, Comunidad y abundance is a dangerous omission for fisheries management. However, as fisheries Biodiversidad A.C., monitoring started long after exploitation of many species began, this is a difficult Bahı´a de Bacochib- issue to address. Here we show how the ‘shifting baseline’ syndrome can affect the ampo, S/N Colonia stock assessment of a vulnerable species by masking real population trends and Lomas de Corte´s, thereby put marine animals at serious risk. Current fishery data suggest that landings Guaymas, 85450 Sonora, Me´xico of the large Gulf grouper (Mycteroperca jordani, Serranidae) are increasing in the Gulf Tel.: +52622-2212670 of California. However, reviews of historical evidence, naturalists’ observations and a Fax: +52622-2212671 systematic documentation of fishers’ perceptions of trends in the abundance of this E-mail: asaenz@ species indicate that it has dramatically declined.
    [Show full text]
  • Ensuring Seafood Identity: Grouper Identification by Real-Time Nucleic
    Food Control 31 (2013) 337e344 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Food Control journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foodcont Ensuring seafood identity: Grouper identification by real-time nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (RT-NASBA) Robert M. Ulrich a, David E. John b, Geran W. Barton c, Gary S. Hendrick c, David P. Fries c, John H. Paul a,* a College of Marine Science, MSL 119, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA b Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 140 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA c EcoSystems Technology Group, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA article info abstract Article history: Grouper are one of the most economically important seafood products in the state of Florida and their Received 19 September 2012 popularity as a high-end restaurant dish is increasing across the U.S. There is an increased incidence rate Accepted 3 November 2012 of the purposeful, fraudulent mislabeling of less costly and more readily available fish species as grouper in the U.S., particularly in Florida. This is compounded by commercial quotas on grouper becoming Keywords: increasingly more restrictive, which continues to drive both wholesale and restaurant prices higher each RT-NASBA year. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognize 56 species of fish that can use “grouper” FDA seafood list as an acceptable market name for interstate commerce. This group of fish includes species from ten Grouper fi fi Mislabeling different genera, making accurate taxonomic identi cation dif cult especially if distinguishing features such as skin, head, and tail have been removed.
    [Show full text]