Vision Blueprint Recreational Regulatory Amendment 26 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region Addresses specific action items in the 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint for select species within the recreational sector of the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region. Including an Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis, and Regulatory Impact Review April 17, 2019 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 4055 Faber Place Drive; Suite 201 North Charleston, SC 29405 Award Number FNA15NMF4410010 Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Document ABC acceptable biological catch FMU fishery management unit ACL annual catch limit LBS GW pounds gutted weight ACT annual catch target LBS WW pounds whole weight ALS Accumulated Landings System M natural mortality rate AM accountability measure MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT Magnuson- ASFMC Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Stevens Fishery Conservation and Commission Management Act B a measure of stock biomass in either MARMAP Marine Resources Monitoring weight or other appropriate unit Assessment and Prediction Program BMSY the stock biomass expected to exist MFMT maximum fishing mortality threshold under equilibrium conditions when fishing at FMSY MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act BCURR the current stock biomass MRFSS Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey COUNCIL South Atlantic Fishery Management Council MRIP Marine Recreational Information Program CS consumer surplus MSST minimum stock size threshold DPS distinct population segment MSY maximum sustainable yield EEZ exclusive economic zone NARW North Atlantic Right Whale EA environmental assessment NEPA National Environmental Policy Act EFH essential fish habitat NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service EFH-HAPC essential fish habitat-habitat areas of particular concern NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ESA Endangered Species Act NOR net operating revenue F a measure of the instantaneous rate of fishing mortality OY optimum yield FCURR the current instantaneous rate of PS producer surplus fishing mortality SECRETARY Secretary of Commerce FMSY the rate of fishing mortality expected to achieve MSY under equilibrium SEDAR Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review conditions and a corresponding biomass of BMSY SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center FMP fishery management plan SERO Southeast Regional Office I SMZ special management zone SOUTH ATLANTIC southeastern united states SPR spawning potential ratio SSB stock spawning biomass SSC Scientific and Statistical Committee TAC total allowable catch II Vision Blueprint Recreational Regulatory Amendment 26 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region Proposed actions: Modify recreational regulations such as aggregate bag limits, seasonal closures, and minimum size limits for certain species in the snapper grouper fishery Responsible Agencies and Contact Persons South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 843-571-4366 4055 Faber Place, Suite 201 843-769-4520 (fax) North Charleston, South Carolina 29405 www.safmc.net IPT lead: Myra Brouwer [email protected] National Marine Fisheries Service 727-824-5305 Southeast Regional Office 727-824-5308 (fax) 263 13th Avenue South http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 IPT lead: Mary Vara [email protected] III Table of Contents Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. IV List of Appendices ......................................................................................................... VIII List of Tables .................................................................................................................... IX List of Figures .................................................................................................................. XII Summary .......................................................................................................................... S-1 Chapter 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 What actions are being proposed in this framework amendment? ................... 1 1.2 Who is proposing the framework amendment? ................................................ 1 1.3 Where is the project located? ............................................................................ 2 1.4 Why is the South Atlantic Council considering action (Purpose and need statement) .......................................................................................................... 3 1.5 What is the history of management for snapper grouper species?.................... 5 Chapter 2. Proposed Actions and Alternatives .................................................................. 6 2.1 Action 1. Establish a deep-water species aggregate ........................................ 6 2.1.1 Comparison of Alternatives: .......................................................................... 8 2.2 Action 2. Specify the recreational season for the deep-water species aggregate. .......................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Comparison of Alternatives: ........................................................................ 10 2.3 Action 3. Specify the aggregate bag limit for the deep-water species aggregate ......................................................................................................... 12 2.3.1 Comparison of Alternatives: ........................................................................ 13 2.4 Action 4. Remove the recreational minimum size limits for queen snapper, silk snapper, and blackfin snapper .................................................................. 15 2.4.1 Comparison of Alternatives: ........................................................................ 15 2.5 Action 5. Reduce the recreational minimum size limit for gray triggerfish in the exclusive economic zone off east Florida ................................................. 17 2.5.1 Comparison of Alternatives ......................................................................... 17 2.6 Action 6. Modify the aggregate bag limit for the 20-fish aggregate ............. 19 2.6.1 Comparison of Alternatives ......................................................................... 19 Chapter 3. Affected Environment .................................................................................... 21 3.1 Habitat Environment ....................................................................................... 21 3.1.1 Inshore/Estuarine Habitat............................................................................. 21 3.1.2 Offshore Habitat........................................................................................... 21 3.1.3 Essential Fish Habitat .................................................................................. 23 3.1.4 Habitat Areas of Particular Concern ............................................................ 23 3.2 Biological and Ecological Environment ......................................................... 25 3.2.1 Fish Populations Affected by this Amendment ........................................... 25 3.2.2 Bycatch and Discards ................................................................................... 28 3.2.3 Other Species Affected ................................................................................ 28 3.2.4 The Stock Assessment Process .................................................................... 29 IV 3.2.5 Protected Species ......................................................................................... 29 3.3 Economic Environment .................................................................................. 32 3.3.1 Economic Description of the Commercial Sector ....................................... 32 3.3.2 Economic Description of the Recreational Sector ....................................... 32 3.4 Social Environment ......................................................................................... 57 3.5 Administrative Environment ........................................................................... 66 3.5.1 Federal Fishery Management ....................................................................... 66 3.5.2 State Fishery Management ........................................................................... 67 3.5.3 Enforcement ................................................................................................. 67 Chapter 4. Environmental Effects and Comparison of Alternatives................................ 69 4.1 Action 1. Establish a deep-water species aggregate ...................................... 69 4.1.1 Biological Effects......................................................................................... 69 4.1.2 Economic Effects ......................................................................................... 70 4.1.3 Social Effects ............................................................................................... 70 4.1.4 Administrative Effects ................................................................................. 70 4.2 Action 2. Specify the recreational season for the deep-water species aggregate. ........................................................................................................ 71 4.2.1 Biological Effects........................................................................................