Update on Ongoing Caribbean Reef Fish and Spiny Lobster Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations Jennifer Lee Sea Turtle and Fisheries Coordination Branch Southeast Regional Office December 14, 2016

Consultation Background In late 2014, we reinitiated consultation on the 2012 reef fish and spiny lobster fisheries because 5 new coral species had been listed under the ESA that may be affected: Rough cactus (Mycetophyllia ferox) Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) Lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) Mountainous coral (O. faveolata) Boulder coral (O. franksi) Since the initial reinitiation request, NMFS has published two additional final listing rules, requiring expansion of the consultation to analyze several new listed species that are likely to be adversely affected: North Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Distinct Population Segment (DPS) South Atlantic Green Sea Turtle DPS Nassau Grouper

Consultation Status and Next Steps New opinions will replace the active 2012 reef fish and spiny lobster opinions entirely, and include analyses of all listed species in action area, not just the newly listed species triggering the consultation. For each listed species likely to be adversely affected, we generally: Examine the types of interactions that occur when exposed to each fishing gear. Consider factors affecting the likelihood, frequency, and severity of exposure. Evaluate and quantify effects (i.e., number of individuals of each species and the fate) using the best available information. Focus to date has been on updating literature and best available science to incorporate information not available during the last consultation and analysis of the additional coral species. Over the next couple months we will focus on analyzing the new species, particularly Nassau grouper, and also wrapping up other analyses. We anticipate completing the Reef Fish FMP consultation sometime in Spring 2017 and the Spiny Lobster FMP consultation shortly thereafter.

Nassau Grouper Status and Concerns Listed as threatened; most serious threats to the status and recovery of Nassau grouper: fishing on spawning aggregations and inadequate law enforcement protecting spawning aggregations. Protection of spawning aggregation sites is considered a high priority. Bycatch/Discard data sources? Spawning aggregations (reconstituted or novel) in Bajo de Sico in western Puerto Rico and in the Grammanik Bank, south of St. Thomas, USVI are the only documented sites for the Nassau grouper under U.S. jurisdiction. Newer research suggests that spawning activity in these areas may extend beyond the established seasonal fishery closures depending upon lunar cycles.

Who Can I Talk to Later? To later provide or receive information, ask questions, etc., about the Reef Fish and Spiny Lobster FMP on-going consultations (or any other Protected Resources topic), please contact: Jennifer Lee Fishery Biologist and SERO’s Protected Resources Liaison to Southeast Fishery Management Councils SERO, PRD, Sea Turtle and Fisheries Coordination Branch Email: Jennifer.Lee@noaa.gov Phone: (727) 551-5778