SSC Meeting San Juan, PR August 31, 2009

Clarification regarding recommendations The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) has previously stated that data currently available are insufficient to determine the overfishing limit (OFL) and allowable biological catch (ABC) for the species/species units undergoing overfishing. These are the fishing level determinations that are the responsibility of the SSC. However, the SSC felt that we could provide advice to the CFMC regarding the species the proposed ACLs.

Queen Conch Annual Catch Limits SSC Recommendations St. Croix The EEZ is closed to fishing for queen conch in St. Thomas/St. John District and Puerto Rico. Therefore, queen conch is not undergoing overfishing in federal waters in these jurisdictions. SSC recommends that the CFMC establish compatible regulations with the USVI local government (Alternative 2: Sub alternative C) The USVI has established regulations to protect queen conch populations and these regulations were approved by the local Fisheries Advisory Committees.

SSC comments regarding Queen conch ACL The annual catch limit of 50,000 lb is conservative as compared to recent catches and mean catch for recent years on St. Croix. Note: Currently, there is insufficient information available to scientifically determine OFL and ABC. Conch can be overfished easily and recovery may take a long time, e.g. Florida. The CFMC should establish a framework mechanism in the FMP amendment that will allow it to revise the ACL for queen conch when the data is available to determine a sustainable ACL.

Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Background Annual catch levels of parrotfish lower in STT/STJ District and Puerto Rico than St. Croix To reduce parrotfish catches on STX, gill and trammel nets banned in federal waters except for specific uses in 2005 and in the VI in 2006 (implemented in 2008) In 2004 Puerto Rico banned scuba with nets, implemented gill mesh regulation of 2”, and imposed beach seine regulations.

ACL Recommendations for Parrotfish for St. Croix The SSC recommends that the ACL for parrotfish group 1 in STX be set at 300,000 lbs (revised mean annual catch level). Once ACL reached, then the St. Croix EEZ should be closed to parrotfish fishing for the rest of the year. SSC recommends that adequate data be collected to allow a scientifically based OFL and ABC and that the ACL be reviewed in 5 years. The SSC recommended that an ACL be established that includes both recreational and commercial catches. Once a comprehensive ACL is established, quotas for commercial and recreational fisheries can be established. Data is currently lacking on recreational catch of parrotfish. This needs to be addressed.

Comments regarding ACL for Parrotfish for St. Croix Not enough information to determine if the proposed 300,000 lb ACL relates to MSY. Because of the uncertainty regarding actual catch levels of parrotfish on St. Croix and the socioeconomic and cultural importance of parrotfish, the SSC recommends a higher ACL level on St. Croix than in the other jurisdictions. Parrotfish abundance on St. Croix may be high because: Shelf is shallow providing habitat that may support high numbers of parrotfish. Parrotfish are a herbivore. Species, such as parrotfish, that are low on the food chain may increase in numbers by up to an order of magnitude when their predators are fished to low levels. This may be happening in St. Croix. The SSC is not recommending that this be allowed to occur elsewhere.

ACL Recommendations for Parrotfish for Puerto Rico SSC recommends a 80,000 lb ACL for parrotfish (Alternative 3, Sub alternative B) and recommends that this ACL be re-visited in 5 years. If the ACL is exceeded then the SSC recommends closing the EEZ to parrotfish fishing for the remainder of the year. Comments: Parrotfish do not have the same cultural and socio-economic importance in Puerto Rico as they do in St. Croix. It has been shown that lack of herbivores contribute to the decline of coral reefs. Because of the ecosystem importance of parrotfish, the SSC recommends caution in establishing the ACL level in Puerto Rico. Data show that catches of parrotfish are declining on Puerto Rico.

ACL Recommendations for Parrotfish St. Thomas/St. John The SSC recommends that establishing an ACL of 50,000 lbs for St. Thomas/St. John District (average landings for years about 47,000 pounds) (Alternative 4, Sub alternative B). If the ACL level is exceeded, the EEZ should be closed to fishing for parrotfish. Comments: SSC members expressed concern about the increasing effort that has occurred to maintain catch levels in the trap fishery on St. Thomas/St. John.

Grouper Unit 4 Grouper Unit 4: yellowfin, red, tiger, black (misty – proposal to transfer to new deepwater Grouper Unit 5) Regulations implemented since 2005: Area closure Feb 1 – April 30 – Grammanik Bank – protect spawning aggregation of yellowfin grouper and other species (tiger and Nassau groupers, snappers) which spawn at this site Seasonal closure Feb 1 – April 30 in federal and territorial waters for yellowfin grouper

Grouper Unit 4 Recommendations to CFMC An ACL for commercial and recreational sectors should not be considered in isolation. The Council should consider an ACL for both sectors combined and then quotas for each sector.

SSC Comments – Grouper Unit 4 The overfishing that was occurring when the SFA Amendment was being developed (targeting of spawning aggregations) may not be occurring anymore because of the regulations that are in place. In the VI (especially St. Thomas/St. John), there is very high compliance with the seasonal and area closures. Concern was expressed that the fish in this unit have been observed showing up at spawning aggregation sites one to two months before spawning occurs and may be vulnerable at this time. Dr. Richard Nemeth has been monitoring the Grammanik Bank. The SSC recommends that he be asked to provide information to the Council on the trends in size and abundance of yellowfin grouper (and other species spawning at this site). The SSC recommends that the CFMC be conservative until data is available to indicate that the status has changed.

Snapper Unit 1 Snapper Unit 1: Silk, Black, Blackfin, Vermillion (Wenchman – proposed) Seasonal closure from Oct 1 to Dec 31 – federal waters in 2005 and STT/STJ District in 2006 – not STX Seasonal closure from Oct 1 to Dec 31 in PR for silk and vermillion snapper in 2007

Snapper Unit 1 An ACL for commercial and recreational sectors should not be considered in isolation. The Council should consider an ACL for both sectors combined and then quotas for each sector (no quorum).