Final ESA Listing Determination for Nassau Grouper Southeast Regional Office Adam Brame Adam.Brame@noaa.gov Caribbean Fishery Management Council Meeting June 28-29, 2016

Nassau grouper listed as Threatened Why has NOAA Fisheries listed Nassau grouper? Life history characteristics increase vulnerability to harvest and population decline Form spawning aggregations Slow growing and late maturing Large decline in the population due to direct harvest Decline in the size and number of spawning aggregations Limited effectiveness of regulations in recovering the population Notably – lack of law enforcement in many foreign nations (non-U.S.)

Why Threatened and not Endangered? After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, we determined that the Nassau grouper meets the definition of a threatened species. Dramatic decline in the population but: Still occupies its historic range Abundance is stable or increasing in areas with effective regulations Further regulations will be necessary in some countries to counteract past population decline and ongoing threats Differences between threatened and endangered species: Endangered - species is currently at risk extinction Threatened - species is not in immediate danger of becoming extinct but is at risk of becoming endangered over the foreseeable future Endangered species are afforded higher protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including prohibitions on import, export, and “take”

Impact on the Fishing Industry? This rule will not result in any changes to Nassau grouper regulations for U.S. fishermen Harvest and possession of Nassau grouper is and will remain prohibited in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (both federal and state waters) We will need to evaluate some federal fishery management plans through the ESA Section 7 process What is the impact of incidental bycatch of Nassau grouper?

Impact on Foreign Fisheries/Trade? Nassau grouper is still targeted in commercial fisheries of some Caribbean countries, some of which may still export Nassau grouper to the U.S. Listing Nassau grouper as threatened will not immediately impact trade If we develop an ESA 4(d) rule to adopt conservation measures for Nassau grouper, it could affect imports from foreign nations What is a 4(d) rule and why would we consider one? A 4(d) rule provides regulations necessary for the conservation of any threatened species May be used to extend any or all of the protections for an endangered species (e.g., “take,” import, export) to a threatened species

Next Steps… Evaluate current Fishery Management Plans to assess potential for Nassau grouper bycatch Consider whether and where critical habitat should be designated (U.S. waters only) Consider whether a 4(d) rule is needed to increase conservation of Nassau grouper

QUESTIONS?