South Atlantic Snapper

SAFE REPORT

October 12, 2012

1 DRAFT

1. Snapper Grouper Management Unit ...... 1 2. Overview ...... 5 3. Management Overview ...... 7 3.1. Management History ...... 7 3.2. Current Objectives ...... 9 3.3. Fishing years ...... 9 3.4. Management Specifications ...... 9 3.5. Regulations ...... 23 3.6. Management Program Evaluation ...... 24 4. Stock Status ...... 30 4.1. Status of the Stocks ...... 30 4.2. Assessments ...... 31 5. sampling...... 32 6. Social and Economic information ...... 34 7. Individual and Species Complex Information ...... 39 7.1. Atlantic Spadefish ...... 42 7.2. Black Grouper ...... 43 7.3. Black Sea Bass ...... 44 7.4. Blue Runner ...... 49 7.5. Gag Grouper ...... 50 7.6. Golden Tilefish ...... 53 7.7. Gray Triggerfish ...... 56 7.8. Greater ...... 57 7.9. Hogfish ...... 59 7.10. Mutton Snapper ...... 60 7.11. ...... 61 7.12. Red Porgy ...... 64 7.13. Red Snapper ...... 67 7.14. Scamp ...... 69 7.15. ...... 72 7.16. ...... 75 7.17. Vermilion Snapper ...... 77 7.18. Yellowtail Snapper ...... 79 7.19. Deepwater Grouper and Tilefish Complex ...... 80 DRAFT 7.20. Jacks Complex ...... 82 7.21. Snappers Complex ...... 83 7.22. Grunts Complex ...... 84 7.23. Shallow Water Complex ...... 86 7.24. Porgy Complex ...... 87

DRAFT

List of Tables

Table 1. Species in the Snapper Grouper FMP...... 2 Table 2. Snapper Grouper Species Ecosystem Attributes ...... 3 Table 3. Summary of Snapper Grouper FMP major regulatory amendments (RA) and plan amendments (A)...... 7 Table 4. OFL, ABC, and 2011 Landings Comparison...... 10 Table 5. Commercial and recreational ACLs for snapper-grouper species in the fishery management unit...... 13 Table 6. Table 4-46 from Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Black grouper landings and discard projections (lbs whole weight) for 2011-2015. (Source: OFL projections table A3.3.4.17 of the final SEDAR 19 stock assessment report and ABC projections, R. Muller, FL F ...... 14 Table 7. Table 4-48 from Comprehensive ACL Amendment. ABCs (lbs whole weight) for South Atlantic and by year using jurisdiction allocations specified in the preferred alternative. The ABC for the South Atlantic in 2012 is 245,595 lbs ww...... 14 Table 8. Table 4-51 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Commercial and recreational ACLs by year based on commercial (36.88%) and recreational (63.12%) allocations specified in the preferred alternative...... 15 Table 9. Table 4-63 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. OFL and ABC Recommendations from Gulf Council’s SSC...... 15 Table 10. Table 4-64 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Mutton snapper ABC (landed catch pounds ww) in Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic based on jurisdictional allocation alternatives...... 15 Table 11. Table 4-65 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Mutton snapper values (lbs whole weight) for OFL, ABC, ACL (commercial and recreational sectors combined), commercial ACL, recreational ACL, and recreational ACT based on preferred alternative of ABC = ...... 16 Table 12. Table 4-60a from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Values for ABC (lbs whole weight) for South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico using jurisdiction allocations specified in Alternatives 4 based on recommended ABC of 2,898,500 lbs whole weight for Gulf of Mex ...... 16 Table 13. Table 4-60b from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Values for ACL (lbs whole weight; commercial and recreational sectors combined), commercial ACL, recreational, and recreational ACT based on preferred alternative of ABC = 2,173,875 lbs whole weight fo ...... 17 Table 14. Snapper grouper commercial permits and snapper grouper dealer permits by county and state...... 35 Table 15. Federal snapper grouper charter permits in the South Atlantic region...... 37

DRAFT

List of Figures

Figure 1. Jurisdictional boundaries of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council ...... 1 Figure 2. Total Snapper Grouper FMP Landings by Sector, 1986-2011...... 5 Figure 3. Summary of TIP sampling intensity for , lengths, and trips...... 33 Figure 4. Total economic value of South Atlantic Snapper Grouper commercial landings by state 1986-2011...... 34 Figure 5. The top eleven South Atlantic communities ranked by Pounds and Value Regional Quotient (RQ) of Snapper Grouper species. Only communities with Pounds RQ larger than 3% were included. Data source: ALS 2010 ...... 35 Figure 6. Fishery-independent CPUE for black sea bass, 1990-2010, based on MARMAP trap sampling...... 46 Figure 7. CPUE for black sea bass from the SE headboat survey, 1979-2010 ...... 47

DRAFT

1. Snapper Grouper Management Unit

Management of the federal snapper grouper fishery located off the South Atlantic in the 3-200 nautical mile (nm) U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is conducted under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper Grouper FMP; SAFMC 1983) (Figure 1). This area encompasses approximately 190,223 square miles (492,674 km2). The Snapper Grouper FMP and its amendments are developed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act), other applicable Federal laws, and executive orders (E.O.s) and affect the management of 60 species, listed in Table 1-1. With the exception of black sea bass, bank sea bass, rock sea bass, and scup management are for species in the snapper grouper fishery management unit (FMU) by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) includes U.S. Atlantic waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida, including the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys (Monroe County). Black sea bass, back sea bass, rock sea bass, and scup are not managed by the FMP or regulated by this part north of 35°15.19' N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina.

Figure 1. Jurisdictional boundaries of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

1 REGULATORY AMENDMENT 9 INTRODUCTION DRAFT The following species are included in the South Atlantic Council’s Snapper Grouper FMP.

Table 1. Species in the Snapper Grouper FMP. Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana * triggerfish, Cathidermis sufflamen Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus Banded rudderfish, Seriola zonata Red grouper, morio *Bank Sea Bass, Centropristis ocyurus , Epinephelus guttatus Bar jack, ruber Red porgy, Pagrus pagrus Black grouper, bonaci Red snapper, campechanus Black sea bass, Centropristis striata Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis Black snapper, Apsilus dentatus *Rock Sea bass, Centropristis philadelphica Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella Sailors choice, Haemulon parra Blue runner, crysos Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps Saucereye porgy, Calamus calamus Coney, fulva Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax *Cottonwick, Haemulon melanurum *Schoolmaster, Lutjanus apodus Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus Scup, Stenotomus chrysops Dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus Gag, Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus Tilefish (Golden), Lopholatilus Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi chamaeleonticeps(I think we should list this as Tomtate, Haemulon aurolineatum tilefish since that is its official name or put Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens Golden in Parentheses as below) Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara Whitebone porgy, Calamus leucosteus Gray (mangrove) snapper, Lutjanus griseus White grunt, Haemulon plumierii Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus , Cephalopholis cruentata Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili , Mycteroperca venenosa Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca Jolthead porgy, Calamus bajonado interstitialis Knobbed porgy, Calamus nodosus Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris Lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata *Longspine Porgy, Stenotomus caprinus Mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogoni Margate, Haemulon album Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis , Epinephelus striatus

*Ecosystem component species not in the snapper grouper fishery management unit and not subject to federal regulations.

2 REGULATORY AMENDMENT 9 INTRODUCTION

Table 2. Snapper Grouper Species Ecosystem Attributes

Stock Mean Home Female Genetic Dominant Adult Juvenile Peak Spawning Spawning depth Stock Range or Depth Effect Area Found Spawning Min Max Diff in Area habitat Habitat Spawning Depth (m) Area caught Migration Season SA (m) Fort Pierce Black Sea Small (larger Reef, Oyster, Feb-Jul, NS NA to CH/Atl 32-33 N LB/AR Feb-Apr 15-56 27-34 N 20-35 2 130 Bass move more) SAV Sep, Nov Coast Male Female Gag Ongoing Large Separation Larger SA SA LB/Ledge Est/Reef Mar-Apr Dec-May 24-117 26-33 N 20-50 2 152 offshore

Snowy Rock, Ledge, Inshore of 100- 30- NA Unknown Larger offshore SA plus VA SC/NC Unknown Apr-Sep 176-232 24-34 N 525 Grouper Wreck Adult 50 m 200 50

Reef, Lesser Red Keys and Live, Rock, Keys and NS Small Larger offshore Keys to NC extent Est Feb-Apr Dec-Jun 30-90 30-45 20 95 Grouper NC Sand, AR NC with SAV Possibly Black Keys to Cape Live, Rock, Reef, SAV, NS Small Larger offshore Keys Jan-Mar Year <100 Keys 30-40 9 60 Grouper Lookout Ledges, AR Oyster Round

Speckled Ledges, NA Unknown Larger offshore Keys to CH Unknown Ledges, Rock Unknown May-Oct Unknown Unknown 75-100 28 165 Hind Rock

Unknown in 29-32 N Seasonal Keys to Cape Live, Rock, Scamp NA Larger offshore Carolinas SA rarely in Mar-May Feb-July 33-93 (sampling 30-50 17 113 Possible Hatteras Ledges, AR effect) Live, Rock, Warsaw Live, Rock, NA Unknown Larger offshore Keys to CH Unknown Ledges, Unknown Aug-Oct 70-110 30 500 Grouper AR, Ledges Pinnacles Juveniles use , Goliath Keys to Cape Mangroves NA Moderate estuaries adults Keys Bridges, Jul Jun-Dec 20-50 7 100 Grouper Lookout and Estuaries offshore Coral, AR

Yellowedg Rock and 31 N Unknown e Grouper Keys to Cape Ledges (sampling 100- NA Unknown Larger offshore Hatteras N FL to SC Apr-Oct 160-194 effect) 200 64 275 Cape N FL to Vermilion 20-30 m depth NA Small Larger offshore Canaveral to Cape LB/Rock/AR May-Aug Apr-Dec 18-97 27-34 N <76 14 163 Snapper AR &LB CH Lookout May move inshore Red Fort Pierce Fort Pierce Live Bottom Ongoing Small to form spawning LB/Rock/AR Jun-Sep May-Oct 24-67 27-33 N 20-50 10 150 Snapper to CH to GA Low relief aggregation

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 3 October 2012

Stock Mean Home Female Genetic Dominant Adult Juvenile Peak Spawning Spawning depth Stock Range or Depth Effect Area Found Spawning Min Max Diff in Area habitat Habitat Spawning Depth (m) Area caught Migration Season SA (m) Yellowtail Keys to Cape Live, Rock, Back reefs and NA Unknown Unknown FL May-Jul Feb-Oct 20-40 10 70 Snapper Lookout Reefs, AR SAV S FL Live, Reef, Mutton Spawning Keys to Cape Est (SAV) and May- NS Larger offshore Keys S FL Sandy Jun-Jul 33 Tortugas 25-35 25 95 Snapper Aggregation Lookout Sand bottom Jul/Aug Rubble, AR Gray Spawning Keys to Cape Keys to S Rock, Reef, Mangroves NA Larger offshore Jun-Jul Jun-Sep Florida 30-50 5 180 Snapper Aggregation Lookout FL Hardbottom and Estuaries GA/SC SA/ Atlantic 150- Tilefish NA Unknown Unknown FL/GA Mud Mud Apr-Jun Mar-Nov 190-300 (sampling 80 540 Coast 250 effect) Keys to 32 N Blueline 150- NA Unknown Larger offshore NC/VA and Rocks Rocks May-Sept Feb-Oct 48-234 (sampling 30 256 Tilefish 200 northward effect) Possibly Keys to Cape Live, Rock, Unknown in Variabl Hogfish NA Small Unknown FL Dec-Mar Year Variable 3 75 Lookout Ledges SA e Round Fort Pierce 30-33 N Live, Rock, Unknown in Red Porgy NS Unknown Larger offshore to Cape Carolinas Jan-Feb Dec-May 26-57 (sampling 30-60 9 307 Ledges SA Hatteras effect) Live, Rock, Greater Larger offshore Keys to Reefs, AR, NS Large FL Apr-May Jan-Jun 45-122 Florida 30-50 15 360 Amberjack but mixed NC/VA Water Column Cape Central FL Gray Seasonal Live, Rock, NA Larger offshore Canaveral- to Cape Sargassum Jun-Jul Apr-Aug 20-75 27-33 N 30-40 20 100 Triggerfish Possible Ledges, AR NC/VA Lookout Palm Beach to FL Keys 32-33 White S Fl and Live, Rock, Unknown in Yes Unknown Larger offshore and SC to May-Jun Mar-Sep 22-51 (sampling 30-50 10 75 Grunt SC/NC Ledges, AR SA Cape effect) Hatteras Significant SA Juveniles Pelagic Charleston Rock and 300- Wreckfish NS North extending Pelagic Feb-Mar Dec-May 433-595 31 N 44 600 Adult benthic Bump Ledges 400 Atlantic outside

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 4 October 2012

2. Fisheries Overview

Species included in the Snapper Grouper FMP are identified in Table 1. A description of the life history of these species can be found is included in Volume II of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) (SAFMC 2009; http://www.safmc.net/Portals/0/FEP/VolII_SnapperGrouper.pdf), and key characteristics are summarized in Table 2. A description of fishing practices, vessel, and gear is also provided in the FEP (2009) at http://www.safmc.net/Portals/0/FEP/VolIII_SG%20fishery%20description.pdf as are descriptions of fishing communities (http://www.safmc.net/EcosystemLibrary/FEPVolumeIII/tabid/629/Default.aspx).

Landings for all species in the snapper grouper complex peaked over the recent time period in 1990 at slightly over 25 million pounds (Figure 2). This is followed by a period of steady decline through 1998 to just over 15 million pounds. Since the late 1990s, total landings have typically varied between 15 and 20 million pounds, although landings in the commercial sector have remained considerably below their peak observed in the late 1980's and early 1990's.

Figure 2 shows total landings for all snapper grouper species combined. Landings for individual species and management complexes are provided in Section 7 below.

Figure 2. Total Snapper Grouper FMP Landings by Sector, 1986-2011.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 5 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 6 October 2012

3. Management Overview

3.1. Management History A history of management for snapper grouper species is available at http://www.safmc.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ysLepkQHSkI%3d&tabid=666. Table 3 provides a brief overview of key actions and their effective date.

Table 3. Summary of Snapper Grouper FMP major regulatory amendments (RA) and plan amendments (A).

Document All Actions Major Actions. Note that not all details are provided here. Please refer to Effective Proposed and Final Rules for all impacts of listed documents. By: -Size limits for red snapper, yellowtail snapper, red grouper, Nassau grouper, black sea bass Snapper Grouper 08/31/83 -4” trawl mesh size FMP -Gear limitations – poisons, explosives, fish traps, trawls -Designated modified habitats or artificial reefs as Special Management Zones -Prohibited fishing in SMZs except with hand-held hook-and-line and spearfishing RA #1 03/27/87 gear. -Prohibited harvest of goliath grouper in SMZs. -Prohibited trawl gear to harvest fish south of Cape Hatteras, NC and north of Cape A #1 01/12/89 Canaveral, FL. RA #2 03/30/89 -Established 2 artificial reefs off Ft. Pierce, FL as SMZs. RA #3 11/02/90 -Established at Key Biscayne, FL as SMZ. -Prohibited harvest/possession of goliath grouper in or from the EEZ A #2 10/30/90 -Defined overfishing for goliath grouper and other species A #5 04/06/92 -Wreckfish ITQ system and off loading restrictions. RA #4 07/06/93 -Black Sea Bass commercial definitions. RA #5 07/31/93 -Established 8 SMZs off S. Carolina. -commercial quotas and limits for snowy grouper, golden tilefish. -prohibited sale of Warsaw grouper and speckled hind A #6 07/27/94 -100% logbook coverage upon renewal of permit -creation of the Oculina Experimental Closed Area - size limits, hogfish and mutton snapper - Permit requirements, allowable gear specifications, allowable sale criteria, and At #7 01/23/95 modifed framework procedures. required dealer, charter and headboat federal permits -modified management unit for scup to apply south of Cape Hatteras, NC RA #6 05/22/95 FL EEZ size and bag limits for cubera, hogfish, and gray triggerfish. A #8 12/14/98 -Commercial limited entry and permit requirements RA #7 01/29/99 -Established 10 SMZs at artificial reefs off South Carolina. Bag and size limits and seasonal restrictions for red porgy, black sea bass, greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black grouper, gag grouper. A #9 2/24/99 Aggregate recreational limit of 20 snapper grouper per day. Longlines limited to snowy, Warsaw, yellowedge, and misty grouper, and golden, blueline and sand tilefish. A #9 10/13/00 Resubmitted: Commercial trip limit for greater amberjack -Established 12 SMZs at artificial reefs off Georgia; revised boundaries of 7 existing RA #8 11/15/00 SMZs off Georgia to meet CG permit specs; restricted fishing in new and revised SMZs Emergency 09/08/99 -Prohibited harvest or possession of red porgy. Interim Rule A #10 07/14/00 -Identified EFH and established HAPCs for species in the SG FMU. A #11 12/02/99 -Established SFA criteria for managed stocks (MSY, OY, MFMT, MSST). A #12 09/22/00 -Red porgy rebuilding plan.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 7 October 2012

Document All Actions Major Actions. Note that not all details are provided here. Please refer to Effective Proposed and Final Rules for all impacts of listed documents. By: -Extended for an indefinite period the regulation prohibiting fishing for and possessing A #13A 04/26/04 snapper grouper spp. within the Oculina Experimental Closed Area. -Snowy grouper, golden tilefish, red porgy, black sea bass and vermilion snapper A #13C 10/23/06 quotas; size, trip and possession limits; and gear restrictions. A #14 2/12/09 -Establish eight deepwater II marine protected areas (MPAs). - Establish rebuilding plans and SFA parameters for snowy grouper, black sea bass, A #15A 3/14/08 and red porgy. - Prohibit the sale of bag-limit caught snapper grouper species. A #15B 2/15/10 - Bycatch and ESA provisions. - Allocations for snowy grouper and red porgy. A #16 7/29/09 - Management criteria for gag and vermilion snapper A#17A 12/3/10 -Red snapper rebuilding plan and management criteria. January 31, Specify ACLs, ACTs, and AMs for 9 species undergoing overfishing. A #17B - 2011 -Modify management measures as needed to limit harvest to the ACL or ACT. -Provide presentation of spatial information for Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and EFH- A #19 7/22/10 Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (EFH-HAPC) designations under the Snapper

Grouper FMP RA # 10 5/31/11 - Eliminate closed area for snapper grouper species approved in Amendment 17A RA # 9 Bag limit: - Establish trip limit for vermilion snapper and gag, increase trip limit for greater 6/22/11 amberjack, and reduce bag limit for black sea bass Trip limits: 7/15/11 RA # 11 5/10/12 - Eliminate 240 ft closure for six deepwater species. Comprehensive 4/16/12 -Establish ABC control rules, establish ABCs, ACLs, and AMs for species not ACL Amendment undergoing overfishing (A # 25) Remove some species from South Atlantic FMU and designate others as Ecosystem Component Species -Specify allocations between the commercial and, recreational sectors for species not undergoing overfishing -Limit the total mortality for federally managed species in the South Atlantic to the ACLs A #24 7/11/12 - Specify MSY, rebuilding plan (including ACLs, AMs, and OY), and allocations for red grouper A # 20A -Redistribute latent shares for the wreckfish ITQ program. Comprehensive 1/30/12 - Designate the Deepwater MPAs as EFH-HAPCs Ecosystem-based - Modify sea turtle release gear Amendment 2 - Limit harvest of snapper grouper species in SC Special Management Zones to the bag (A # 23) limit A #18A 7/1/12 - Limit participation and effort in the black sea bass fishery - Modifications to management of the black sea bass pot fishery - Improve the accuracy, timing, and quantity of fisheries statistics RA # 12 under - Adjust the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) and Optimum Yield (OY) for golden tilefish review -Revise recreational Accountability Measures (AMs) for golden tilefish. -Consider specifying a commercial Annual Catch Target (ACT)

A # 18B under -Limit participation and effort in the golden tilefish fishery through establishment of a review longline endorsement -Modify trip limits -specify allocations for gear groups (longline and hook and line) -Change the golden tilefish fishing year

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 8 October 2012

3.2. Current Objectives Red porgy, snowy grouper, red snapper, red grouper, and black sea bass are under rebuilding plans.

Other stocks are managed to achieve OY and prevent landings from exceeding OFL. ACLs and AMs are in place for all managed species to ensure overfishing does not occur.

3.3. Fishing years The fishing year of all snapper grouper species with the exception of black sea bass and greater amberjack is January-December. The fishing year for black sea bass is June-May, and the fishing year for greater amberjack is May-April

3.4. Management Specifications 3.4.1. OFL, ABC, ACL, and comparison to current landings

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 9 October 2012

Table 4. OFL, ABC, and 2011 Landings Comparison. OFL, ABC, and landings for species in the Snapper-Grouper FMP. Values are pounds whole weight (ww) of pounds gutted weight (gw). ABCs are just for the South Atlantic Council’s management area. ABCs represent South Atlantic Council SSC recommendations unless otherwise noted. ABCs and ACLs for data poor species were not implemented until April 16, 2012. ACLs in this table for species managed as complexes represents the contribution of the individual stock to the complex ACL listed below. ABC (SSC Com 2011 Rec 2011 Stock OFL Total ACL 2011 Landings Recommendation) Landings Landings almaco jack UNK 291,222 ww 291,222 ww 370,294 ww 305,419 ww 64,875 ww atlantic spadefish UNK 282,841 ww 282,841 ww 78,773 ww 23,744 ww 55,029 ww banded rudderfish UNK 152,999 152,999 ww 237,820 ww 112,737 ww 125,083 ww bank sea bass Ecosystem Species NA NA 7,543 ww 1,546 ww 5,997 ww bar jack UNK 20,520 ww 20,520 ww 15,813 ww 4,759 ww 11,054 ww black grouper1 818,959 245,595 ww 245,595 ww 96,154 ww 58,804 ww 37,350 ww black sea bass Yield @ MFMT RANGE 847,000 ww 1,146,030 ww 485,307 ww 660,723 ww black snapper UNK 382 ww 382 ww 0 0 0 blackfin snapper UNK 4,154 ww 4,154 ww 7,007 ww 6,354 ww 653 ww blue runner UNK 1,289,941 ww 1,289,941 ww 890,419 ww 238,483 ww 651,936 ww blueline tilefish UNK 592,602 ww 592,602 ww 190,526 ww 139,035 ww 51,491 ww coney UNK 2,589 ww 2,598 ww 227 ww 208 ww 19 ww cottonwick Ecosystem Species NA NA 176 ww 0 176 cubera snapper UNK 31,772 ww 31,772 ww 22,755 ww 5,703 ww 17,052 ww dog snapper UNK 7,523 ww 7,253 ww ‐‐ ‐‐ 1,169 ww gag Yield @ MFMT 885,000 gw 693,000 gw 863,358 ww 666,641 ww 196,717 ww goliath grouper UNK 0 0 0 0 0 gray snapper UNK (mangrove) 894,019 ww 894,019 ww 420,040 ww 82,900 ww 337,140 ww gray triggerfish UNK 672,565 ww 672,565 ww 1,061,712 ww 623,718 ww 437,994 ww graysby UNK 17,856 ww 17,856 ww 4,186 ww 35 ww 4,151 ww

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 10 October 2012

ABC (SSC Com 2011 Rec 2011 Stock OFL Total ACL 2011 Landings Recommendation) Landings Landings greater amberjack 2,005,000 ww 1,968,000 ww 1,968,000 ww 1,526,316 ww 1,110,334 ww 415,982 ww hogfish UNK 147,638 ww 147,638 ww 122,861 ww 70,125 ww 52,736 ww jolthead porgy UNK 42,533 ww 42,533 ww 33,174 ww 4,766 ww 28,408 ww knobbed porgy UNK 61,194 ww 61,194 ww 48,417 ww 41,109 ww 7,308 ww lane snapper UNK 153,466 ww 153,466 ww 44,483 ww 1,901 ww 42,582 ww lesser amberjack UNK 10,568 ww 10,568 ww 49,125 ww 48,679 ww 446 ww longspine porgy Ecosystem Species NA NA 268 0 268 mahogany snapper UNK 160 ww 160 ww 34 ww 0 ww 34 ww margate UNK 34,662 ww 34,662 ww 9,819 ww 3,685 ww 6,134 ww misty grouper UNK 2,863 ww 2,863 ww ‐‐ ‐‐ 0 mutton snapper1 1,213,600 ww 926,000 ww 926,600 ww 294,038 ww 69,649 ww 224,389 ww nassau grouper UNK 0 0 0 0 0 ocean triggerfish Ecosystem Species NA NA 2,485 ww 0 2,485 ww queen snapper UNK 9,344 ww 9,344 ww ‐‐ ‐‐ 0 red grouper2 669,000 ww 573,000 ww 573,000 ww 425,548 ww 314,232 ww 111,316 ww red hind UNK 25,885 ww 25,885 ww 5,513 ww 5,260 ww 253 ww red porgy3 UNK 395,281 ww 395,304 ww 310,061 ww 259,185 ww 72,297 ww red snapper Yield at MFMT range 0 14,999 885 14,114 rock hind UNK 37,569 ww 37,569 ww 23,630 ww 19,387 ww 4,243 ww rock sea bass Ecosystem Species NA NA 1,450 ww 285 ww 1,165 ww sailors choice UNK 35,266 ww 35,266 ww 2,499 ww 0 2,499 ww sand tilefish UNK 8,823 ww 8,823 ww 3,847 ww 829 ww 3,018 ww saucereye porgy UNK 4,205 ww 4,205 ww 437 ww 0 437 ww scamp UNK 492,572 ww 492,572 ww 324,104 ww 267,712 ww 56,392 ww schoolmaster Ecosystem Species NA NA 2,405 ww 0 2,405 ww scup UNK 8,999 ww 8,999 ww 8,865 ww 24 ww 8,841 ww silk snapper UNK 27,519 ww 27,519 ww 28,088 ww 23,006 ww 5,082 ww

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 11 October 2012

ABC (SSC Com 2011 Rec 2011 Stock OFL Total ACL 2011 Landings Recommendation) Landings Landings snowy grouper Yield @ MFMT 102,960 ww 102,960 ww 59,153 ww 57,698 ww 1,455 ww speckled hind UNK 0 0 ‐‐ ‐‐ 29 Tilefish (golden) TBD 668,000 ww 668,000 ww 399,609 ww 399,609 ww 0 tomtate UNK 70,948 ww 70,498 ww 36,957 ww 1,344 ww 35,613 ww vermilion snapper Yield @ MFMT 1,109,000 ww 1,027,152 ww 1,454,480 ww 1,235,085 ww 219,395 ww warsaw grouper UNK 0 0 ‐‐ ‐‐ 234 ww white grunt UNK 635,899 ww 635,899 ww 343,042 ww 100,674 ww 242,368 ww whitebone porgy UNK 30,684 ww 30,864 ww 18,819 ww 19 ww 18,800 ww wreckfish UNK 235,000 ww 235,000 ww ‐‐ ‐‐ 0 ww yellowedge grouper UNK 30,221 ww 30,221 ww 6,670 ww 2,590 ww 4,080 ww yellowfin grouper UNK 9,258 ww 9,258 ww 9,549 ww 9,466 ww 83 ww yellowmouth UNK grouper 4,661 ww 4,661 ww 36 ww 0 36 ww

yellowtail snapper yield @ FMSY 2,898,500 ww 2,173,875 ww 1,322,681 ww 1,078,078 ww 244,603 ww 1. Represents Gulf Council SSC’s recommendation of ABC for the South Atlantic based on jurisdictional allocations established in Gulf Council’s Generic ACL Amendment and the South Atlantic Council’s Comprehensive ACL Amendment. The South Atlantic Council’s SSC recommended an ABC of 610,482 lbs ww for black grouper and an ABC of 1,409,587 lbs ww for mutton snapper. These are ABC recommendations for both the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic management areas. 2. The ABC recommended by the South Atlantic Council’s SSC and adopted by the South Atlantic Council is: 573,000 lbs ww (2011); 647,000 lbs ww (2012); 718,000 lbs ww (2013); and 780,000 lbs ww (2014).

3. Red porgy managed with a commercial quota of 190,050 pounds. This is apparently a rounded value based on allocating 50% of the ABC to the commercial sector and applying a conversion factor of 1.04. The Comp ACL set a recreational ACL equal to the commercial quota, which resulted in the total ACL listed, which is slightly different than the ABC recommendation of the SSC.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 12 October 2012

Table 5. Commercial and recreational ACLs for snapper-grouper species in the fishery management unit.

Shallow-Water Deep-Water Comm. Rec. Comm. Rec. Yellowedge grouper Red hind Blueline tilefish Rock hind Silk snapper Coney 49,488 lbs ww 48,329 lbs ww Misty grouper Graysby 343,869 lbs ww 332,039 lbs ww Queen snapper Yellowfin grouper Yellowmouth Sand tilefish grouper Black snapper Individual ACLs Comm. Rec. Blackfin snapper Atlantic Spadefish 36,476 lbs ww 246,365 lbs ww Jacks Comm. Rec. Bar Jack 6,686 lbs ww 13,834 lbs ww Almaco jack Black grouper 90,575 lbs ww 155,020 lbs ww Banded rudderfish 193,999 lbs ww 261,490 lbs ww Blue Runner 188,329 lbs ww 1,101,612 lbs ww Lesser amberjack Goliath Grouper 0 lbs ww 0 lbs ww Snappers Comm. Rec. Gray Triggerfish 305,262 lbs ww 367,303 lbs ww Cubera snapper Greater Amberjack 800,163 lbs ww 1,167,837 lbs ww Gray snapper Hogfish 48,772 lbs ww 98,866 lbs ww Lane snapper 204,552 lbs ww 882,388 lbs ww Mutton Snapper 157,743 lbs ww 768,857 lbs ww Dog snapper Nassau Grouper 0 lbs ww 0 lbs ww Mahogany snapper Red porgy 197,652 lbs ww 197,652 lbs ww Porgies Comm. Rec. Scamp 341,636 lbs ww 150,936 lbs ww Jolthead porgy Wreckfish 237,500 lbs ww 12,500 lbs ww Knobbed porgy Yellowtail Snapper 1,142,657 lbs ww 1,031,218 lbs ww Saucereye porgy 35,129 lbs ww 112,485 lbs ww Red Grouper 284,680 lbs ww 362,320 lbs ww Whitebone porgy Snowy Grouper 82,900 lbs gw 523 fish Scup Warsaw Grouper 0 lbs ww 0 lbs ww Grunts Comm. Rec. Black Sea Bass 309,000 lbs gw 409,000 lbs gw White grunt* Speckled Hind 0 lbs ww 0 lbs ww Margate Golden Tilefish 541,295 lbs gw 3,019 fish 214,624 lbs ww 562,151 lbs ww Sailor’s choice Black Grouper 90,575 lbs ww 155,020 lbs ww Tomtate Gag 352,940 lbs gw 340,060 lbs gw Red Snapper 0 lbs gw 0 lbs gw Vermilion Snapper 315,523 lbs gw 302,523 lbs gw 307,315 lbs gw

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 13 October 2012

Jurisdictional Issues Black grouper, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper were assessed as one stock, which includes the jurisdiction of both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) Councils. As a result, the South Atlantic Council and the Gulf Council adopted identical actions to allocate the ABC for each of these species to the respective Councils.

Black Grouper At the June 2010 South Atlantic Council meeting, a motion was made for Gulf and South Atlantic Council staff to work together to develop alternative methods for allocating the black grouper catch between the South Atlantic and Gulf Councils’ jurisdictional areas. The stock assessment for black grouper treated the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic management unit as a single stock rather than providing separate assessments. The Gulf Council received a letter dated June 10, 2010, from the South Atlantic Council accepting the Gulf Council’s SSC ABC control rule and the ABC recommendation developed by the Gulf Council’s SSC.

The Gulf Council’s SSC recommended that a five-year time stream from 2011-2015, to include landings and dead discards in whole weight as the ABC for black grouper, for a P* of 0.33 (Table 6).

Table 6. Table 4-46 from Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Black grouper landings and discard projections (lbs whole weight) for 2011-2015. (Source: OFL projections table A3.3.4.17 of the final SEDAR 19 stock assessment report and ABC projections, R. Muller, FL F

OFL ABC Year Landings Discards Total Year Landings Discards Total 2011 695,007 123,952 818,959 2011 523,000 126,761 649,761 2012 652,810 127,396 780,206 2012 522,543 132,399 654,942 2013 627,552 130,213 757,765 2013 545,595 130,978 676,574 2014 619,665 130,237 749,902 2014 558,711 130,314 689,025 2015 615,801 130,207 746,008 2015 564,737 130,018 694,755

The preferred alternative was to use average landings from 1991-2008 to allocate 46% of ABC to the South Atlantic and 54% of the ABC to the Gulf of Mexico (Table 7).

Table 7. Table 4-48 from Comprehensive ACL Amendment. ABCs (lbs whole weight) for South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico by year using jurisdiction allocations specified in the preferred alternative. The ABC for the South Atlantic in 2012 is 245,595 lbs ww.

Year ABC South Atlantic Gulf of Mexico 2011 523,000 245,810 277,190 2012 522,543 245,595 276,948 2013 545,595 256,430 289,165 2014 558,711 262,594 296,117 2015 564,737 265,426 299,311

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 14 October 2012

The Comprehensive ACL Amendment set the ACL = ABC. Sector allocations were established average landings from 1991-2008 + 50% of average landings from 2006-2008. The resulted in allocating 36.88% of the South Atlantic ABC to the commercial sector and 63.12% of the South Atlantic ABC to the recreational sector (Table 8).

Table 8. Table 4-51 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Commercial and recreational ACLs by year based on commercial (36.88%) and recreational (63.12%) allocations specified in the preferred alternative.

Year South Atlantic Comm Rec 2012 245,595 90,575 155,020 2013 256,430 94,571 161,859 2014 (and onwards until modified) 262,594 96,844 165,750

Mutton Snapper The Gulf and South Atlantic Councils requested that jurisdictional allocation alternatives be developed for mutton snapper between the two Council’s jurisdictional areas. The stock assessment for mutton snapper (SEDAR 15A 2008) treated the Gulf and South Atlantic management unit as a single stock rather than providing separate assessments. The stock assessment was completed in 2008 and concluded that the stock is neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing.

The South Atlantic and Gulf Council adopted the ABC for mutton snapper recommended by the Gulf Council’s SSC (Table 9).

Table 9. Table 4-63 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. OFL and ABC Recommendations from Gulf Council’s SSC.

OFL (ww) ABC (ww) Landings Discards Total Landings Discards Total 1,480,000 35,300 1,515,300 1,130,000 26,500 1,156,500

Both Councils established a jurisdictional allocation based on the Florida Keys (Monroe County) jurisdictional boundary between the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils for mutton snapper acceptable biological catch based on the following method: South Atlantic = 82% of the ABC and Gulf = 18% of the ABC. These percentages were derived by using the formula: 50% of the average landings from 1990-2008 + 50% of the average landings from 2006-2008. Recreational and commercial ACLs for the South Atlantic were based on historical landings using the same formula above.

Table 10. Table 4-64 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Mutton snapper ABC (landed catch pounds ww) in Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic based on jurisdictional allocation alternatives.

Not Adjusted for Dead Discards Adjusted for Dead Discards Alternative Gulf South Atl Gulf South Atl Alternative 2 (preferred) 208,080 947,920 203,400 926,600

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 15 October 2012

Table 11. Table 4-65 from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Mutton snapper values (lbs whole weight) for OFL, ABC, ACL (commercial and recreational sectors combined), commercial ACL, recreational ACL, and recreational ACT based on preferred alternative of ABC =

Parameter Value Source OFL 1,515,300 Action 18 Action 18, Preferred ABC 926,000 Alternative 2 Action 5, Preferred ACL 926,000 Alternative 2 Comm Action 4, Preferred ACL 222,384 Alternative 2 Action 4, Preferred Rec ACL 704,216 Alternative 2 Action 7, Preferred Rec ACT 612,668 Alternative 2d

Yellowtail Snapper The ABC for yellowtail snapper was provided by a 2003 stock assessment (SEDAR 3 2003). The assessment indicated the stock was not overfished and was not undergoing overfishing. The recommended ABC from the South Atlantic Council’s SSC was the average of the yield at Foy from the Integrated Catch at Age and Fleet Specific model3 (Table 2, Appendix 3, SEDAR 3 2003).

The South Atlantic and Gulf Councils agreed to a jurisdictional allocation of the ABC based on the Florida Keys (Monroe County) jurisdictional boundary between the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Councils 75% for the South Atlantic and 25% for the Gulf of Mexico. This was stablished by using 50% of average landings from 1993-2008 + 50% of average landings from 2006-2008 (Table 4-60a from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment). The commercial and recreational ACLs were established based on historical data using the formula above.

Table 12. Table 4-60a from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Values for ABC (lbs whole weight) for South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico using jurisdiction allocations specified in Alternatives 4 based on recommended ABC of 2,898,500 lbs whole weight for Gulf of Mex

South Gulf of Alternative Atlantic Mexico Alternative 4 (Preferred) 2,173,875 724,625

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 16 October 2012

Table 13. Table 4-60b from the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Values for ACL (lbs whole weight; commercial and recreational sectors combined), commercial ACL, recreational, and recreational ACT based on preferred alternative of ABC = 2,173,875 lbs whole weight fo

Parameter Value Source ABC 2,173,875 Action 18, Preferred Alternative 4 ACL 2,173,875 Action 6, Preferred Alternative 2 Comm ACL 1,565,190 Action 5, Preferred Alternative 2 Rec ACL 608,685 Action 5, Preferred Alternative 2 Rec ACT 529,556 Action 8, Preferred Alternative 2d

3.4.2. Annual Catch Limits and Targets by Sector

Full details on SAFMC AMs are available in the electronic code of federal regulations at 622.49. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=a887100c584e873836848d1419bd 7e13&rgn=div8&view=text&node=50:10.0.1.1.2.3.1.20&idno=50

Harvest and possession of Nassau grouper, goliath grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind is prohibited.

Atlantic spadefish; bar jack; black grouper; blue runner; gray triggerfish; greater amberjack; hogfish; mutton snapper; scamp; and yellowtail snapper.

The following commercial AM applies to species in the table above that have individual ACLs including: Atlantic spadefish; bar jack; black grouper; blue runner; gray triggerfish; greater amberjack; hogfish; mutton snapper; scamp; and yellowtail snapper.

Commercial: If commercial landings for a an individual species, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable ACL the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of black grouper is prohibited and harvest or possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/ headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or federal waters.

If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and the species is overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 17 October 2012

The following recreational AM apply to the species in the Table 5 above that have individual ACLs including: Atlantic spadefish; bar jack; black grouper; blue runner; gray triggerfish; greater amberjack; hogfish; mutton snapper; red porgy; scamp; and yellowtail snapper..

Recreational: If recreational landings for an individual species, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable ACL, then during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific information available, that a reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.

Without regard to overfished status, if the combined commercial and recreational sector ACLs, as estimated by the SRD, are exceeded in a fishing year, then during the following fishing year, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register stating that both the commercial and recreational sectors will not have an increase in their respective sector ACLs during that following fishing year.

Commercial and Recreational AMs for Species Complexes The following commercial and recreational AMs apply to the species complexes in the table above.

Commercial: If commercial landings for a species complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach their combined commercial ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the complex for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of the species within the complex is prohibited, and harvest or possession of these species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/ headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.

If the combined commercial landings for the complex exceed the ACL, and at least one of the species in the complex is overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.

Recreational: If recreational landings for the complex, combined, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL, then during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 18 October 2012

notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific information available, that a reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.

Commercial AMs for red porgy, wreckfish, golden tilefish, snowy grouper, and vermilion snapper

Red Porgy Commercial: the commercial quota closure provisions function as the equivalent to an AM in the event that the red porgy commercial quota is exceeded in a fishing year.

Wreckfish Commercial: The wreckfish commercial sector is managed under the individual transferrable quota (ITQ) program the ITQ program itself the AM for the commercial sector because commercial landings are closely monitored and ITQ participants are limited to their specific ITQ allocation each fishing year.

Golden tilefish, snowy grouper, vermilion snapper Commercial: If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the quota, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial fishery for the remainder of the fishing year (or season, in the case of vermilion).

Recreational AMs for golden tilefish and snowy grouper

Golden tilefish Recreational (proposed in Regulatory Amendment 12): If recreational landings for golden tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, meet or are projected to meet the recreational ACL of 3,019 fish, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year. If recreational landings for golden tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL, then during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific information available, that a reduction in the length

Snowy grouper Recreational: If recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 523 fish, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. Recreational landings will be evaluated

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 19 October 2012

relative to the ACL as follows. For 2010, only 2010 recreational landings will be compared to the ACL; in 2011, the average of 2010 and 2011 recreational landings will be compared to the ACL; and in 2012 and subsequent fishing years, the most recent 3-year running average recreational landings will be compared to the ACL.

Commercial and recreational AMs for gag, black sea bass, vermilion snapper, red grouper, and red snapper

Gag Commercial: If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the quota, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial fishery for gag and all other shallow-water groupers (red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, coney, graysby, red hind, and rock hind) for the remainder of the fishing year.

Recreational: If recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational ACL of 340,060 lb (154,249 kg), gutted weight, and gag are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the gag recreational fishery for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such notification, the bag and possession limit for gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit also applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/ headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in State or Federal waters.

Without regard to overfished status, if gag recreational landings exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the ACL for that fishing year by the amount of the overage.

Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL as follows. For 2010, only 2010 recreational landings will be compared to the ACL; in 2011, the average of 2010 and 2011 recreational landings will be compared to the ACL; and in 2012 and subsequent fishing years, the most recent 3-year running average recreational landings will be compared to the ACL.

Black Sea Bass Commercial: If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the quota specified in, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year.

If commercial landings exceed the quota, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year, unless

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 20 October 2012

the SRD determines that no overage is necessary based on the best scientific information available.

Recreational: If recreational landings for black sea bass, as estimated by the SRD, are projected to reach the recreational ACL of 409,000 lb (185,519 kg), gutted weight; 482,620 lb (218,913 kg), round weight; the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the bag and possession limit is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/ headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.

If recreational landings for black sea bass, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the recreational ACL the following fishing year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year, unless the SRD determines that no overage is necessary based on the best scientific information available.

Vermilion snapper Recreational: If recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational ACL of 307,315 lb (139,396 kg), gutted weight, and vermilion snapper are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational fishery for vermilion snapper for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such notification, the bag and possession limit of vermilion snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit also applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in State or Federal waters.

Without regard to overfished status, if vermilion snapper recreational landings exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the ACL for that fishing year by the amount of the overage.

Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL as follows. For 2010, only 2010 recreational landings will be compared to the ACL; in 2011, the average of 2010 and 2011 recreational landings will be compared to the ACL; and in 2012 and subsequent fishing years, the most recent 3-year running average recreational landings will be compared to the ACL.

Red grouper Commercial: If commercial landings for red grouper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 21 October 2012

the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of red grouper is prohibited and harvest or possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.

If commercial landings exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.

The applicable commercial ACLs, in round weight, are 284,680 lb (129,129 kg) for 2012, 315,920 lb (143,299 kg) for 2013, and 343,200 lb (155,673 kg) for 2014 and subsequent fishing years.

Recreational: If recreational landings for red grouper, as estimated by the SRD, are projected to reach the applicable ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the bag and possession limit is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.

If recreational landings for red grouper, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the recreational ACL the following fishing year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.

The applicable recreational ACLs, in round weight, are 362,320 lb (164,346 kg) for 2012, 402,080 lb (182,380 kg) for 2013, and 436,800 lb (198,129 kg) for 2014 and subsequent fishing years.

Without regard to overfished status, if the combined commercial and recreational sector ACL (total ACL), as estimated by the SRD, is exceeded in a fishing year, then during the following fishing year, an automatic increase will not be applied to the commercial and recreational sector ACLs. The SRD will evaluate the landings data to determine whether or not an increase in the respective sector ACLs will be applied.

The applicable combined commercial and recreational sector ACLs, in round weight are 647,000 lb (293,474 kg) for 2012, 718,000 lb (325,679 kg) for 2013, and 780,000 lb (353,802 kg) for 2014 and subsequent fishing years. Following an overage of the total ACL, if there is no overage the following fishing year, the SRD will evaluate the landings data to determine whether or not an increase in the respective sector ACLs will be applied.

Red Snapper:

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 22 October 2012

(1) Track CPUE of red snapper via a fishery-independent monitoring program to track changes in biomass and take action to end overfishing if assessment indicates progress is not being made. (2) Track the biomass and CPUE through fishery-dependent sampling. (3) CPUE would be evaluated every three years and adjustments would be made by the framework action. (4) During the closed seasons, the recreational and commercial ACLs are zero (landings only).

During the 2012 opening, the temporary commercial AM was the specification of the length of the opening, the 50 pound (ww) trip limit, the monitoring of landings, and the comparison of the landings to the ACL before potentially re-opening in 2012. The temporary recreational AM was the specification of the length of the opening and the 1-fish per person per day bag limit.

3.5. Regulations Regulations can be found on the Council’s Web site at http://www.safmc.net/. The Code of Federal Regulations can be found at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text- idx?sid=65027985a35c6134f6e25312a5838831&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title50/50tab_0 2.tpl.

Table 16. Commercial and recreational fishing seasons for some snapper grouper stocks.

Species Season Mutton Snapper May 1-Jun 30 (3)

Black Sea Bass None Gag Jan 1-Apr 30 Shallow Water Grouper (1) Jan 1-Apr 30 Red Porgy Jan 1-Apr 30 Greater Amberjack Apr 1-Apr 30

Wreckfish Jan 15- Apr 15 1. Shallow water grouper includes: Gag; black grouper; red grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; graysby; yellowfin grouper; yellowmouth grouper SOURCE for Table : Opening and closings: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SACommandRecSeasonsandClosures.htm

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 23 October 2012

3.6. Management Program Evaluation

Quota tracking and evaluations are handled by NOAA fisheries through the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and the Southeast Regional Office. The information that follows was obtained from the SERO webiste, and represents the most up-to-date information on quotas. http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SouthAtlanticRecLandingsandACLs.html Information through June 2011 is reflected in this report. Table 17. Recreational landings evaluation, for stocks having ACLs in 2012.

2012 Preliminary Recreational Landings by Two-month Wave**

2012 Annual Species Nov- Total Catch Percent Closure Complex Season Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May-Jun Jul-Aug Sep-Oct Dec Reported Limit/Quota Units* of ACL Date Atlantic Jan 1-Dec 2,250 2,406 181,433 186,086 246,365 ww 76% spadefish 31 Bar Jack 0 0 1,647 1,647 13,834 ww 12%

Black 0 0 65,736 65,736 155,020 ww 42% Grouper (a) Blue 90,792 45,011 38,306 174,109 1,101,612 ww 16% runner 95,113 210,794 514,658 820,565 1,445,687 ww 57%

Deepwater 683 3,180 13,514 17,377 332,039 ww 5% complex (b) Dolphin 165,523 892,155 2,208,254 3,265,932 13,530,692 ww 24%

Gag 0 0 35,669 35,669 340,060 gw 10%

Golden 1,012 555 1,947 3,514 1,578 numbers 223% 6/8/2012 tilefish Gray 13,223 15,183 63,536 91,942 367,303 ww 25% triggerfish Greater 38,338 170,541 174,789 383,668 1,167,837 ww 33% amberjack Grunts (c) 15,747 20,137 72,734 108,618 562,151 ww 19%

Hogfish 17,377 8,661 30,095 56,133 98,866 ww 57%

Jacks (d) 5,108 69,172 47,524 121,804 261,490 ww 47%

Mutton 35,019 80,142 166,559 281,720 768,857 ww 37% snapper Porgies (e) 11,290 29,928 6,888 48,106 112,485 ww 43%

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 24 October 2012

Red 4,438 0 43,784 48,222 362,320 ww 13% Grouper Red Porgy 1,907 3,222 24,343 29,472 197,652 ww 15%

Scamp 0 0 37,983 37,983 150,936 ww 25%

Shallow 691 0 13,161 13,852 48,329 ww 29% water grouper (f) Snappers 26,496 16,260 47,235 89,991 882,388 ww 10% (g) Snowy 0 0 1,003 1,003 523 numbers 192% grouper Vermilion 465 1,066 12,596 14,127 307,315 gw 5% snapper Wahoo 138,795 379,763 59,002 577,560 1,427,638 ww 40%

Wreckfish 0 0 0 0 11,750 ww 0%

Yellowtail 38,531 106,157 87,495 232,183 1,031,286 ww 23% snapper Goliath Closed to x x x x x x x 0 ww x n/a grouper Recreational Nassau Harvest x x x x x x x 0 ww x n/a grouper Red x x x x x x x 0 gw x n/a Snapper Speckled x x x x x x x 0 ww x n/a hind Warsaw x x x x x x x 0 ww x n/a grouper

SERO website, http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SouthAtlanticRecLandingsandACLs.html

Table 18.

2012-2013 Preliminary Recreational Landings by Two-month Wave**

Total 2011-2012 Annual Catch Percent of Closure Species Complex Season Jun Jul-Aug Sep-Oct Nov-Dec Jan-Feb Mar-Apr May Units* Reported Limit/Quota ACL Date

Black Sea Bass Jun 1 - May 31 236,261 12,205 248,466 409,000 gw 61% 09/04/12 Black sea bass recreational ACL evaluation.

SERO website, http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SouthAtlanticRecLandingsandACLs.html

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 25 October 2012

Table 19. Evaluation of 2010 and preliminary 2011 Commercial ACLs, for stocks managed on the calendar year.

Snowy Grouper Golden Tilefish Red Porgy Gag Gag, Black Grouper, and Red Grouper Jan 2,641 172,752 6 54 805 Feb 779 154,645 94 69 240 Mar 1341 28,725 98 0 245 Apr 1384 0 0 134 503 May 7,604 0 37,918 105,747 186,288 Jun 6,639 0 21,009 60,192 107,437 Jul 5,838 372 31,571 42,681 79,310 Aug 3,315 46 26,003 23,697 50,523 Sep 5,477 21 27,066 39,233 60,862 Oct 2,564 0 7,455 46,165 64,000 Nov 1,963 0 7,474 52,808 67,857 Dec 2965 0 14232 55887 74334 Total 39,633 327,937 172,353 416,593 675,579 Expanded Total 42,510 356,561 172,926 426,667 692,404 Quota 82,900 282,819 190,050 352,940 662,403 % 51.28 126.07 90.99 120.89 104.53 Closure date March 9

2010 Snowy Grouper Golden Tilefish Red Porgy Gag

Jan 3,587 81,822 6 1,599 Feb 2,603 145,024 0 0 Mar 8,429 93,578 0 0 Apr 11,423 7,561/ Closed 79 115 May 9,091 9 19,895 49,717 Jun 6,240 0 14,683 49,685 Jul 3,021 0 19,611 29,188 Aug 3,498 34 14,704 23,149 Sep 3,765 0 14,362 20,646 Oct 3,372 0 9,933 23,378 Nov 1,960 0 11,852 18,170

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 26 October 2012

Dec 1,918 35 3,626 19,622 Total 58,911 328,063 108,754 235,272 Quota 82,900 295,000 190,050 352,940 % 73.41 112.99 61.63

Table 20. Greater Amberjack and black sea bass commercial landings tracking, 2010/11 and 2011/12 fishing years.

2011-2012

Greater Amberjack Black Sea Bass

May 271,314 June 297,486 June 45,200 July 93,935 July 54,345 August 241 August 83,880 September 0 September 132,398 October 0 October 63,390 November 0 November 50,111 December 1,705 December 85,907 January 2,833 January 63,868 February 2,689 February 66,185 March 2,524 March 203,173 April 847 April 218 May 0 Total 1,119,989 Total 369,033 Expanded Total 1,119,989 Expanded Total 369,033 Quota 1,169,931 Quota 309,000 Percent 95.73 Percent 119.43 Closure Date April 30, 2010 Closure Date July 15, 2011

2010-2011

Greater Amberjack Black Sea Bass

May 176,398 June 78,436 June 61,149 July 50,606 July 42,864 August 58,472 August 65,576 September 42,947 September 52,405 October 10,887 October 70,362 November 115 November 38,146 December 66,917 December 32,489 January 24 January 42,783 February 14 February 52,223 March 128 March 73,270 April 0 April 4,965 May 0

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 27 October 2012

Total 712,630 Total 308,547 Expanded Total 737,740 Expanded Total 323,353 Quota 1,169,931 Quota 309,000 Percent 63.06 Percent 104.64 Closure Date April 30, 2010 Closure Date October 7, 2010

Table 21. Vermilion snapper commercial quota tracking, for 2010 and 2011.

2011

January - June July - December January 105,214 February 92,945 March 24,118 April 331 May 43,946 June 3,844 July 172,384 August 153,405 September 227,032 October 2005 November 587 December 70 Total 172,254 552,397 Expanded Total 270,398 555,483 Quota 315,523 302,523 Percent 85.70 183.62 Closure Date March 10* September 30

*Commercial harvest of vermilion snapper closed on March 10, 2011. However, the January - June 2011 commercial quota was not met. The fishery was reopened from May 1, 2011-May 8, 2011.

2010

January - June July - December January 173,327 February 78,757 March 72,301/ Closed April 0 May 0 June 11 July 74,673 August 147,817 September 186,152 October 17,072/ Closed

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 28 October 2012

November 0 December 0 Total 324,396 425,715 Expanded Total 337,372 442,744 Quota 315,523 302,523 Percent 106.92 146.35 Closure Date October 6

Table 22. List of web links for information on landings and regulations Information Web Link for updates Commercial Landings http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/quotas/southatlantic/saq.htm Recreational Landings http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/RecreationalLandingsandCatchLimits.html Seasons http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SACommandRecSeasonsandClosures.htm Specific Regulations http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/RegulationsbySpecies/tabid/248/Default.aspx

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 29 October 2012

4. Stock Status

4.1. Status of the Stocks The overfishing and overfished status of South Atlantic snapper grouper species is contained in the Report on the Status of U.S. Fisheries http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/05/05_14_12status_of_stocks_rollout.html

Five species are considered overfished (red porgy, snowy grouper, red snapper, red grouper, and black sea bass), and 9 species are undergoing overfishing (vermilion snapper, black sea bass, snowy grouper, red grouper, red snapper, gag, speckled hind, and warsaw grouper).

Table 23. Stock Status summary from 2011 Report to Congress STOCK OVERFISHING OVERFISHED ACTION REQUIRED REBUILDING STATUS Black grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast No No NA N/A Reduce Mortality, Black sea bass - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes No - Rebuilding Continue Rebuilding Year 6 of 10-year plan Gag - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes No Reduce Mortality N/A Gray triggerfish - Southern Atlantic Coast No Unknown NA N/A Greater amberjack - Southern Atlantic Coast No No NA N/A Hogfish - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Nassau grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast/Gulf of Mexico * No Undefined NA N/A Reduce Mortality, Red grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast * Yes Yes Rebuilding Program To be developed Red porgy - Southern Atlantic Coast No Yes Continue Rebuilding Year 12 of 18-year plan Reduce Mortality, Red snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes Yes Continue Rebuilding Year 1 of 35-year plan Scamp - Southern Atlantic Coast No Unknown NA N/A Reduce Mortality, Snowy grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes Yes Continue Rebuilding Year 6 of 34-year plan Speckled hind - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes Unknown Reduce Mortality N/A Tilefish - Southern Atlantic Coast No No NA N/A Vermilion snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes No Reduce Mortality N/A Warsaw grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast Yes Unknown Reduce Mortality N/A White grunt - Southern Atlantic Coast No Unknown NA N/A Wreckfish - Southern Atlantic Coast * No Unknown NA N/A Almaco jack - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Atlantic spadefish - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Banded rudderfish - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Bank sea bass - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Bar jack - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Black snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Blackfin snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Blue runner - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Blueline tilefish - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Coney - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Cottonwick - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Cubera snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Dog snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Gray snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast No Unknown NA N/A Graysby - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Jolthead porgy - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Knobbed porgy - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Lane snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast No Unknown NA N/A Lesser amberjack - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Longspine porgy - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Mahogany snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Margate - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 30 October 2012

Misty grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Ocean triggerfish - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Queen snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Red hind - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Rock hind - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Rock sea bass - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Sailors choice - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Sand tilefish - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Saucereye porgy - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Schoolmaster - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Scup - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Silk snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Tomtate - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Whitebone porgy - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Yellow jack - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Yellowedge grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast No Unknown NA N/A Yellowfin grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Yellowmouth grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast Unknown Unknown NA N/A Mutton snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast / Gulf of Mexico No No NA N/A Goliath grouper - Southern Atlantic Coast / Gulf of Mexico * No Unknown NA N/A Yellowtail snapper - Southern Atlantic Coast / Gulf of Mexico No No NA N/A

4.2. Assessments Completed and scheduled Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) stock assessments for snapper grouper species are located at http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/.

Information from the most recent SEDAR assessments is provided in Table 23.

Table 23. Benchmark and status summary for recently SEDAR assessed snapper grouper species. MSST is in pounds whole weight with exception of vermilion snapper and black sea bass which are in eggs and tilefish which is in metric tons.

Species F/FMSY B/MSST MSST MFMT Last year SEDAR Black sea bass 1.07 0.70 154e10(eggs) 0.698 2010 25 Vermilion snapper 2.05 Unknown 3.95e11(eggs) 0.355 2005 2007 update Red porgy 0.39 0.85 5,529,012 0.20 2004 2006 update Greater amberjack 0.531 1.461 3,207,726 0.424 2006 15 Red snapper 4.12 0.09 317,465 0.178 2009 24 Golden tilefish 0.36 2.43 22.6mt 0.19 2010 25 Snowy grouper 3.00 0.25 3,498,735 0.05 2002 4 Yellowtail snapper* 0.78 1.40 7,853,000 0.33 2001 3 Mutton snapper 0.51 1.28 12,352,501 0.34 2006 15 Red grouper 1.35 0.92 4,914,053 0.221 2007 19 Black grouper 0.50 1.62 5,120,000 0.216 2008 19 Gag 1.31 1.096 8,04,288 0.237 2004 10 *Average of ICA and Fleet-specific models.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 31 October 2012

5. Fishery sampling

Table 24. Sampling available through the SEFSC TIP program for all stocks in the snapper grouper complex, 2003-2011

YEAR Lengths Otoliths Trips 1983 1946 0 201 1984 37366 0 1766 1985 50695 0 2313 1986 38516 0 1604 1987 36011 0 2048 1988 28435 0 1831 1989 27147 0 1744 1990 34722 0 1996 1991 56619 123 2593 1992 57285 942 2609 1993 85398 1287 3515 1994 51955 1049 2581 1995 73144 2890 3593 1996 41053 1734 2704 1997 42564 3192 2797 1998 47157 3020 3222 1999 66707 3718 4089 2000 65656 2613 4625 2001 64143 3511 4457 2002 53158 5336 4986 2003 53783 4539 5348 2004 51511 7089 4525 2005 38411 4730 4162 2006 39780 11214 4071 2007 34597 13556 4835 2008 30276 10470 4307 2009 31373 10503 3969 2010 25576 11006 3238 2011 20815 10337 2074

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 32 October 2012

Snapper‐Grouper TIP Sampling Effort

Otoliths Trips Lengths 16000 100000 14000 90000 80000 12000 70000 10000 60000 Otoliths 8000 50000 and Lengths 6000 40000 30000 4000 Trips 20000 2000 10000 0 0 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 YEAR

Figure 3. Summary of TIP sampling intensity for otoliths, lengths, and trips.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 33 October 2012

6. Social and Economic information

Commercial

16

Millions 14

12

10 North Carolina

8 South Carolina Georgia 6 Florida

4

2

0 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Figure 4. Total economic value of South Atlantic Snapper Grouper commercial landings by state 1986-2011.

The snapper grouper fishery is one of the most economically and culturally important fisheries to both the commercial and recreational sectors. Figure 2 presents the top communities based upon a regional quotient1 of combined commercial landings and value for all snapper grouper species in the South Atlantic snapper grouper complex. There were 154 communities with snapper grouper landings in 2010 but the 11 communities included in Figure 2 were those with Pounds RQ larger than 3 percent. Therefore, because so many

1 The “regional quotient” (RQ) is based upon the overall value of local commercial landings divided by the overall value of commercial landings in the region. These data were assembled from the accumulated landings system which includes all species from both state and federal waters landed in 2010. This breakdown of fisheries involvement is similar to the how communities were categorized in the community profiling of South Atlantic fishing communities (Jepson et al. 2005). However, the categorization within the community profiles included other aspects associated with fishing such as infrastructure and other measures to determine a community’s status with regard to reliance upon fishing.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 34 October 2012 communities have snapper grouper landings, many had low RQs and are not included in the figure.

Key West, FL, has the highest landings of combined snapper grouper species, followed by Murrell’s Inlet, SC, and Miami FL. No Georgia communities made up more than 3% of the snapper grouper landings.

Figure 5. The top eleven South Atlantic communities ranked by Pounds and Value Regional Quotient (RQ) of Snapper Grouper species. Only communities with Pounds RQ larger than 3% were included. Data source: ALS 2010 .

Table 1 shows the number of snapper grouper commercial permits and snapper grouper dealer permits by state and county in the South Atlantic. Note that county/state is based on the mailing address of the permit holder. Although most (>95%) fishing and dealer permit holders have mailing addresses in the South Atlantic region, there are some permit holders who may be located, land catch, and deal fish in other regions.

Table 14. Snapper grouper commercial permits and snapper grouper dealer permits by county and state.

County Commercial Permits* Dealer Permits Brevard 28 6 Broward 13 13 Duval 27 3 Indian River 11 2 Martin 7 2 Florida Miami-Dade 77 10 Monroe 217 24 Nassau 4 0 Palm Beach 43 6 St Johns 10 2

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 35 October 2012

St Lucie 9 2 Volusia 16 7 FL Total 462 77

Camden 1 0 Chatham 1 0 Glynn 1 1 Georgia Liberty 0 0 McIntosh 3 1 GA Total 6 2

Beaufort 1 0 Berkeley 1 0 South Charleston 9 6 Carolina Georgetown 12 2 Horry 20 4 SC Total 43 12

Beaufort 0 1 Brunswick 32 5 Carteret 21 10 Craven 0 2 Dare 19 9 North Hyde 1 1 Carolina New Hanover 18 7 Onslow 11 4 Pamlico 0 0 Pasquotank 0 0 Pender 9 2 NC Total 111 41 South Atlantic Total 622 132 * Data source: SERO Permits database, June 2012. Includes Unlimited and Limited snapper grouper commercial permits.

Recreational The recreational sector of the snapper grouper fishery is very important throughout the region, and recreational landings estimate vary depending on the region and species. Black sea bass, tilefish, vermilion snapper, silk snapper, red grouper, black grouper and gray triggerfish are some of the more important species for private recreational anglers.

The for-hire recreational fleet is also important in each state, and there is a federal charter permit required for snapper grouper. Overall, Florida has the largest number of charter permits (Table 2). The primary communities in North Carolina are part of Dare County, New Hanover County, Brunswick County, and Carteret County. Communities in South Carolina with significant for-hire fleets are in Charleston County and Horry County, and in

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 36 October 2012

Georgia most of the permits are associated with communities in Chatham County and Glynn County. In Florida, almost half of the permits are from Monroe County, and a majority of the permits are associated with communities in south Florida (Brevard, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties).

Table 15. Federal snapper grouper charter permits in the South Atlantic region.

County Charter Permits Brevard 65 Broward 59 Duval 17 Indian River 20 Martin 11 Miami-Dade 42 Florida Monroe 294 Nassau 7 Palm Beach 63 St Johns 23 St Lucie 8 Volusia 32 FL Total 641

Chatham 9 Glynn 5 Georgia McIntosh 1 GA Total 15

Beaufort 14 Berkeley 1 Charleston 36 South Carolina Georgetown 19 Horry 25 SC Total 95

Beaufort 1 Brunswick 44 Carteret 34 Craven 2 Dare 78 North Carolina Hyde 4 New Hanover 29 Onslow 7 Pasquotank 2 Pamlico 0 Pender 7

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 37 October 2012

NC Total 208 South Atlantic Total 959 Data source: SERO Permits Database June 2012.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 38 October 2012

7. Individual Species and Species Complex Information

Table 25. Overview of biological attributes for snapper grouper stocks.

Age Peak Stock Max Age Max Length Max Weight Protogyny Size Mature M Maturity Spawning

Atlantic 100 cm M: 0-1 years 8 years Gonochoristic May Spadefish (39 in) F: 1 year

Black Sea 66 cm 3.6 kg 10-18 cm March - 10 years 0-3 years 5 years 0.30 Bass (26.1 in) (7.9 lbs) (3.6-7.1 in) May

70 cm 5.1 kg March - Blue Runner 11 years (27.7 in) (11.3 lbs) May

69 cm 8.2 kg 24 cm April and Bar Jack (27.3 in) (18.2 lbs) (9.5 in) October

145 cm 36.5 kg 1st: 2 years 105 cm 62.2 cm March - Gag 26 years 0.15 (57.5 in) (81 lbs) 50%: 3 years (41.6 in) (24.7 in) April

Snowy 122 cm 30 kg 72.7 cm 54.1 cm April - 40 years 5 years Grouper (48 in) (66 lbs) (28.8 in) (21.3 in) September

125 cm 23 kg 50.9 cm 48.7-59.2 cm Red Grouper 25 years 2.1-2.4 years 0.20 April (49.2 in) (51.1 lbs) (20.1 in) (19.3-21 in)

Black 151.8 cm 121.4 cm 82.6 cm January - 33 years 5.2 years 0.15 Grouper (60.1 in) (48.1 in) (32.7 in) March

Speckled 110 cm 30 kg 45-60 cm April - 25 years 4-5 years 8-12 years Hind (43.3 in) (66.1 lbs) (17.7-23.6 in) September

107 cm 14.2 kg 70 cm 35.5 cm March – Scamp 30 years 1.28 years 0.15 (42.4 in) (31.3 lbs) (27.8 in) (13.9 in) mid-May

Warsaw 230 cm 263 kg August - 41 years 0.05 – 0.12 Grouper (91 in) (580 lbs) October Males may M: 110 cm transform Goliath 250 cm 455 kg M: 4 years (43.6 in) 0.13 July - 37 years from Grouper (99 in) (1,003 lbs) F: 6 years F: 120 cm (0.04 – 0.19) September immature (47 in) females Nassau 122 cm 23-27 kg 40-50 cm May - 29 years 4-8 years Gonochoristic 0.18 Grouper (48.3 in) (50.5-59.5 lbs) (15.8-19.8 in) August

Vermilion 60 cm 3.2 kg 20 cm 0.25 June - 14 years 2 years NA Snapper (23.8 in) (7.1 lbs) (7.9 in) (0.2-0.3) August M: 22.3 cm 100 cm 22.8 kg (8.8 in) July - Red Snapper 45 years NA 0.25 (39.7 in) (50 lbs) F: 37.8 cm September (15 in) M: 22.4 cm Yellowtail 86.3 cm 4.1 kg (8.9 in) 0.20 17 years NA April - July Snapper (34.2 in) (9.1 lbs) F: 24.8 cm (0.15-0.25) (9.8 in) M: 33 cm Mutton 94 cm 15.6 kg (13.1 in) 29 years NA 0.21 April - May Snapper (37.2 in) (34.6 lbs) F: 41.4 cm (16.4 in)

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 39 October 2012

Age Peak Stock Max Age Max Length Max Weight Protogyny Size Mature M Maturity Spawning

Golden 125 cm 30 kg April - 50 years 0.07 Tilefish (50 in) (66 lbs) September 91 cm 10 kg February - Hogfish 23 years Yes 0.13 (36 in) (22.2 lbs) March 91 cm 7.7 kg 35.1-40 cm 28.9 cm January - Red Porgy 18 years 1.5 years (36 in) (17.1 lbs) (13.9-15.9 in) (11.5 in) April M: 64.4 cm Greater 190 cm 80.6 kg (25.4 in) 17 years F: 1.3 years NA 0.25 April - May Amberjack (75 in) (177.7 lbs) F: 73.3 cm (28.9 in) M: 18 cm Gray 60 cm 6.2 kg (7.1 in) 13 years 0-1 years NA 0.30 June - July Triggerfish (23.8 in) (13.8 lbs) F: 15.8 cm (6.3 in) 200 cm 100 kg 75.1-80 cm February - Wreckfish 76 years NA (79 in) (221 lbs) (29.6-31.5 in) March M: 22 cm 89 cm 20 kg (8.7 in) July - Gray Snapper 24 years F: 2 years NA 0.30 (35.2 in) (44.4 lbs) F: 23 cm August (9.1 in) M: 14.7 cm 60 cm 3.5 kg (5.8 in) Lane Snapper 19 years 1 year 0.11-0.24 April - July (23.8 in) (7.8 lbs) F: 18.5 cm (7.3 in) Cubera 160 cm 56 kg July -

Snapper (63.4 in) (126.5 lbs) August M: 48 cm 128 cm 28.6 kg (19 in) February - Dog Snapper 29 years 0.33 (50.7 in) (63.4 lbs) F: 43 cm March (17 in) Mahogany 48 cm 1.3 kg 0.30 August Snapper (19 in) (2.9 lbs)

Yellowedge 114 cm 18.6 kg 81 cm 56.9 cm April - 85 years 0.05 Grouper (45.3 in) (41 lbs) (32.2 in) (22.4 in) October Blueline 90 cm 7 kg 42 years 0.04-0.17 May Tilefish (35.7 in) (15 lbs) 70 cm 1.1 kg Sand Tilefish (27.7 in) (2.4 lbs) 83 cm 8.3 kg 43.4 cm June - Silk Snapper 6.3 years NA (32.9 in) (18.3 lbs) (17.2 in) August Misty 160 cm 107 kg 81.1 cm 0.14 Grouper (63 in) (236 lbs) (31.9 in) Queen 100 cm 5300 g 53.6 cm 1 year 0.76 April - May Snapper (39 in) (11.7 lbs) (21 in) M: 25-27 cm Blackfin 75 cm 14 kg (9.9-10.7 in) Gonochoristic Snapper (29.8 in) (30.9 lbs) F: 23-25 cm (9.1-9.9 in) Black 65 cm 3.2 kg 34.9 cm February - 1 year NA Snapper (25.7 in) (7.1 lbs) (13.8 in) April Jolthead 76 cm 10.6 cm

Porgy (30.1 in) (23.4 in) Knobbed 54.4 cm 2.63 kg 26.5-37.7 cm 29.8 cm 21 years 6 years April - May Porgy (21.4 in) (5.8 lbs) (10.5-15 in) (11.8 in) Saucereye 56 cm 0.68 kg

Porgy (22.2 in) (1.5 lbs) 46 cm 2.1 kg 15.5 cm Scup June (18.2 in) (4.6 lbs) (6.1 in) Whitebone 41 cm 12 years Yes May Porgy (16.2 in)

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 40 October 2012

Age Peak Stock Max Age Max Length Max Weight Protogyny Size Mature M Maturity Spawning

61 cm 4.1 kg 28.0 cm May - Rock Hind 12 years 6.1 years 0.25 (24.2 in) (9.1 lbs) (11.1 in) August

76 cm 25 kg 27.5-34.5 cm 28.5 cm June - Red Hind 22 years 0.18 (30 in) (55.5 lbs) (10.9-13.7 in) (11.3 in) August

Yellowfin 100 cm 18.5 kg March - 15 years 0.18 Grouper (39.6 lbs) (41.1 lbs) August Yellowmouth 84 cm 10.2 kg 50.3-64.3 cm 40-45 cm March - 41 years 2-4 years Grouper (33.2 in) (22.6 lbs) (19.8-25.3 in) (15.8-17.7 in) May 41 cm 20 cm 13 cm January - Coney 11 years 0.18 (16.2 in) (7.9 in) (5.1 in) February 42.6 cm 1.1 kg 20-23 cm 14 cm June - Graysby 13 years 3.5 years 0.20 (16.9 in) (2.4 lbs) (7.9-9.1 in) (5.5 in) August M: 17.3-27.7 cm 53 cm 4.4 kg M: 2 years (6.9-11 in) White Grunt 27 years NA 0.25 May - June (21 in) (9.8 lbs) F: 1 year F: 16.9-24.1 cm (6.7-9.5 in) Sailor’s 41.2 cm

Choice (16.3 in)

26.1 cm 15-15.9 cm Tomtate 17 years 2 years 0.33 April - June (10.3 in) (5.9-6.3 in)

79 cm 7.1 kg 24 cm February - Margate 0.37 (31.3 in) (2.1 lbs) (9.5 in) April

for complexes include a figure of landings for each stock. It can be small - say 1/4th page. format same as for most of the stocks that follow. Plus Include table of total landings over time:

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 41 October 2012

7.1. Atlantic Spadefish

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Atlantic Spadefish $14,000 $0.30

$12,000 $0.25 of

$10,000 (Adjusted) $0.20 Value

$8,000 (Adjusted)

$0.15 Total Value

Landings $6,000 Price/ Lb Economic

$0.10 Price/Lb

$4,000 Avg Total $2,000 $0.05

Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 42 October 2012

7.2. Black Grouper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Black Grouper $1,000,000 $2.50 $900,000

$800,000 $2.00 of $700,000 (Adjusted)

Value

$600,000 $1.50 (Adjusted)

$500,000 Total Value Landings $400,000 $1.00 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb $300,000 Avg Total $200,000 $0.50

Commercial $100,000 $0 $0.00 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 43 October 2012

7.3. Black Sea Bass

Management Goal: Rebuilding plan in effect, target 2016

Current Status: Recent assessment results from SEDAR 25, including information through 2010, indicated that black sea bass were overfished and but that overfishing was not occurring. The Council implemented a restrictive rebuilding plan in Snapper Grouper FMP Amendment 15A, based on a fixed harvest strategy with commercial and recreational allocations. Black sea bass are scheduled to be rebuilt in 2016. ACLs and AMs were specified in Amendment 17B. A new rebuilding strategy was specified in Amendment 18A, which would allow for changes in the commercial and recreational ACLs based on the results of a future assessment.

Species Overview: The black sea bass (Centropristis striata) is a temperate marine species that inhabits irregular hard-bottom areas, such as wrecks or reefs. They are found from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral, and those found in the South Atlantic Bight usually occur more inshore with other tropical reef fish such as snappers, groupers, porgies and grunts. Black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, that is, they change sex with size. Large individuals are males, and smaller individuals are female. The number of eggs produced in a spawning season ranges from 30 thousand to 500 thousand depending on the size of the fish. The spawning season is June through October in the Mid- Atlantic Bight, and February through May in the South Atlantic Bight. Females reach sexual maturity when they are 7.5 inches long, and males when they are 9 inches long. Black sea bass may live up to 20 years, although fish older than 9 years are rare. The maximum size attained is 24 inches and 6 pounds. Black sea bass are opportunistic feeders eating whatever is available, preferring , , worms, small fish and clams.

Assessment Overview A benchmark assessment of south Atlantic black sea bass was conducted in 2003, through SEDAR 2, and updated in 2005. A second benchmark was completed through SEDAR 25 and provided to the South Atlantic Council in December 2011.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 44 October 2012

Management Program Criteria and Values Criteria Basis Value Source MFMT Fmsy 0.698 SEDAR 25 MSST 1‐M(Bmsy) 154e10 eggs SEDAR 25 OFL (2012) Fmsy 1,189,000 SEDAR 25 ABC Based on 847,000 SEDAR 25 rebuilding plan P‐rebuild Council specified 66% ACL = ABC 847,000 WW / 718,000 GW

Commercial ACL 309,000 Recreational ACL 409,000

Accountability Measures Commercial: The commercial fishery will be closed when projections indicate the commercial ACL will be met. Recreational: If sea bass are overfished, the recreational fishery will be closed when projections indicate the recreational ACL will be met. If the ACL is exceeded in a year, the ACL will be reduced the following year by the amount of the overage.

Current Outlook: Both commercial and recreational sectors have reached and exceeded their allocations in recent years. Increased landings coupled with increased average size and increases in CPUE measures in 2011 and 2012 suggest stock improvement through rebuilding plan impacts or strong recruitment. An assessment update is in preparation and will be provided to the SSC for consideration in April 2013.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 45 October 2012

Figure 6. Fishery-independent CPUE for black sea bass, 1990-2010, based on MARMAP trap sampling.

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 46 October 2012

Figure 7. CPUE for black sea bass from the SE headboat survey, 1979-2010

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Black Sea Bass $1,200,000 $1.40

$1.20

$1,000,000 of $1.00

(Adjusted) $800,000

Value $0.80 (Adjusted)

$600,000 Total Value

Landings $0.60 Price/Lb Economic

$400,000 Price/Lb $0.40 Avg Total $200,000 $0.20 Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 47 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 48 October 2012

7.4. Blue Runner

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Blue Runner $140,000 $0.60

$120,000 $0.50

of $100,000 $0.40 (Adjusted)

Value $80,000 (Adjusted)

$0.30 Total Value Landings

$60,000 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb

$0.20 $40,000 Avg Total $0.10

Commercial $20,000

$0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 49 October 2012

7.5. Gag Grouper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Gag Grouper $2,500,000 $3.00

$2.50 $2,000,000 of

(Adjusted) $2.00

Value $1,500,000 (Adjusted)

$1.50 Total Value Landings $1,000,000 Price/Lb Economic

$1.00 Price/Lb

Avg Total $500,000 $0.50 Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 50 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 51 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 52 October 2012

7.6. Golden Tilefish

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Golden Tilefish $2,000,000 $1.80 $1,800,000 $1.60

$1,600,000 $1.40 of $1,400,000 $1.20 (Adjusted)

Value

$1,200,000

$1.00 (Adjusted)

$1,000,000 Total Value $0.80 Landings $800,000 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb

$0.60 $600,000 Avg Total $400,000 $0.40

Commercial $200,000 $0.20 $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 53 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 54 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 55 October 2012

7.7. Gray Triggerfish

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 56 October 2012

7.8. Greater Amberjack

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Greater Amberjack $1,200,000 $0.90 $0.80

$1,000,000 of

$0.70 (Adjusted)

$800,000 $0.60 Value

(Adjusted)

$0.50 $600,000 Total Value $0.40 Landings

Economic Price/Lb $400,000 $0.30 Price/Lb

$0.20 Avg Total $200,000 $0.10 Commercial $0 $0.00

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 57 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 58 October 2012

7.9. Hogfish

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Hogfish $120,000 $1.80 $1.60 $100,000 $1.40 of

$80,000 $1.20 (Adjusted)

Value

$1.00 (Adjusted)

$60,000 Total Value $0.80 Landings Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb

$40,000 $0.60 Avg Total $0.40 $20,000 Commercial $0.20 $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 59 October 2012

7.10. Mutton Snapper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Mutton Snapper $700,000 $2.00 $1.80 $600,000 $1.60 of

$500,000 $1.40 (Adjusted)

Value $400,000 $1.20 (Adjusted)

$1.00 Total Value

Landings $300,000 $0.80 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb $200,000 $0.60 Avg Total $0.40 $100,000 Commercial $0.20 $0 $0.00 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 60 October 2012

7.11. Red Grouper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Red Grouper $1,000,000 $2.50 $900,000

of $800,000 $2.00

$700,000 (Adjusted)

Value $600,000 $1.50 (Adjusted)

$500,000 Total Value Landings $400,000 $1.00

Economic Price/Lb

Price/Lb $300,000 Total $200,000 $0.50 Avg

Commercial $100,000 $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 61 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 62 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 63 October 2012

7.12. Red Porgy

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Red Porgy $900,000 $1.40 $800,000 $1.20 of $700,000 $1.00 (Adjusted) $600,000 Value

$0.80 (Adjusted)

$500,000 Total Value $400,000

Landings $0.60 Price/Lb Economic

$300,000 Price/Lb $0.40 $200,000 Avg Total $100,000 $0.20 Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 64 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 65 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 66 October 2012

7.13. Red Snapper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Red Snapper $700,000 $3.50

$600,000 $3.00

of $500,000 $2.50 (Adjusted)

Value $400,000 $2.00 (Adjusted)

Total Value

Landings $300,000 $1.50 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb $200,000 $1.00 Avg Total $100,000 $0.50 Commercial

$0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 67 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 68 October 2012

7.14. Scamp

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Scamp $900,000 $3.50 $800,000 $3.00

of $700,000 $2.50

(Adjusted) $600,000

Value $2.00 $500,000 (Adjusted)

Total Value $400,000 Landings $1.50 Price/Lb Economic

$300,000 Price/Lb $1.00 Avg Total $200,000 $0.50 Commercial $100,000 $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 69 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 70 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 71 October 2012

7.15. Snowy Grouper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Snowy Grouper $900,000 $2.50

$800,000 of $700,000 $2.00 (Adjusted) $600,000 Value $1.50 (Adjusted)

$500,000 Total Value $400,000 Landings

$1.00 Price/Lb

Economic $300,000

Price/Lb

$200,000 $0.50 Avg Total $100,000

Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 72 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 73 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 74 October 2012

7.16. Speckled Hind

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 75 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 76 October 2012

7.17. Vermilion Snapper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Vermilion Snapper $2,500,000 $2.50

$2,000,000 $2.00 of

(Adjusted)

Value $1,500,000 $1.50 (Adjusted)

Total Value Landings $1,000,000 $1.00 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb

Avg Total $500,000 $0.50 Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 77 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 78 October 2012

7.18. Yellowtail Snapper

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Yellowtail Snapper $2,500,000 $2.50

$2,000,000 $2.00 of

(Adjusted)

Value

$1,500,000 $1.50 (Adjusted)

Total Value Landings $1,000,000 $1.00 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb

Avg Total $500,000 $0.50 Commercial

$0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 79 October 2012

7.19. Deepwater Grouper and Tilefish Complex

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Deepwater Complex $500,000 $1.40 $450,000 $1.20

of $400,000

$350,000 $1.00 (Adjusted)

Value $300,000 $0.80 (Adjusted)

$250,000 Total Value

Landings $0.60 $200,000 Price/Lb Economic

Price/Lb $150,000 $0.40 Avg Total $100,000 $0.20

Commercial $50,000 $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 80 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 81 October 2012

7.20. Jacks Complex

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Jacks Complex $250,000 $0.90 $0.80 $200,000 of

$0.70 (Adjusted)

$0.60 Value $150,000

$0.50 (Adjusted)

Total Value $0.40 Landings $100,000

Economic Price/Lb

$0.30 Price/Lb

$0.20 Avg Total $50,000

Commercial $0.10 $0 $0.00

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 82 October 2012

7.21. Snappers Complex

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Snapper Complex $60,000 $1.40

$1.20

$50,000 of $1.00

(Adjusted) $40,000

Value $0.80 (Adjusted)

$30,000 Total Value

Landings $0.60 Price/Lb Economic

$20,000 Price/Lb $0.40 Avg Total $10,000 $0.20 Commercial

$0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 83 October 2012

7.22. Grunts Complex

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Grunts Complex $200,000 $0.60 $180,000

$0.50 $160,000 of

$140,000

(Adjusted) $0.40

Value $120,000 (Adjusted)

$100,000 $0.30 Total Value Landings $80,000 Price/Lb Economic

$0.20 Price/Lb $60,000 Avg Total $40,000 $0.10

Commercial $20,000 $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 84 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 85 October 2012

7.23. Shallow Water Complex

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Shallow‐water Complex $180,000 $2.50 $160,000 $2.00 of

$140,000 (Adjusted)

$120,000 Value $1.50

$100,000 (Adjusted)

Total Value $80,000 Landings $1.00 Price/Lb Economic

$60,000 Price/Lb

$40,000 Avg Total $0.50 $20,000 Commercial $0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 86 October 2012

7.24. Porgy Complex

Commercial Economic Value and Price/Lb of Porgy Complex $60,000 $0.80

$0.70

$50,000 of $0.60

(Adjusted) $40,000

Value $0.50

(Adjusted)

$30,000 $0.40 Total Value Landings $0.30 Price/Lb Economic

$20,000 Price/Lb

$0.20 Avg Total $10,000

Commercial $0.10

$0 $0.00

1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 87 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 88 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 89 October 2012

Snapper Grouper SAFE Report 90 October 2012