SSC Report to CFMC 150 th CFMC Meeting held August 12-13, 2014 SSC Meeting held August 5-7, 2014

Ecosystem Models SSC was asked to advise the CFMC relative to need for developing an ecosystem model – specifically Ecopath with Ecosim as proposed by Drs. Ingram and Hill. The SSC noted that it has not yet fully developed or prioritized research needs in its draft 5-yr Research Plan Proposed duration was 6-12 months, but extent of the commitment (funding, man- hours) relative to other priorities was not available

The SSC supports the idea of developing an ecosystem based model but feels that a number of preliminary steps need to be completed before the stated objectives can be achieved or a full fledged effort should be undertaken. Given available data within the US Caribbean even single species assessments have been challenging and it has been noted that additional information has been available. As part of the proposal, one objective was to compile and utilize a master file of fishery independent data (i.e. SEAMAP).

The SSC strongly supports this effort and suggests expanding this effort to include all available data (e.g., coral reef visual census data). A data inventory that integrates data from multiple programs will be extremely useful in developing a broader research plan. Once available data have been identified, the potential of an ecosystem based model can be explored and the stated goals of an ecosystem model can/should be aligned with available information.

Abrir La Sierra, Bajo de Sico and Tourmaline Compatibility Ensure protection of spawning aggregations of reef fish Ensure protection of benthic habitat (including MCEs) supporting those aggregations, which also serves as residential, recruitment, and foraging habitat for a variety of species

Abrir La Sierra, Bajo de Sico and Tourmaline Compatibility Ensure continued and consistent provision of ecological services: recruitment, residential, foraging, and spawning aggregation habitats for commercially and recreationally important reef fish and shellfish, as well as sea turtles. Establish consistency among the three managed areas to facilitate enforcement and avoid confusion among constituents.

Bajo de Sico Tourmaline Abrir la Sierra

ABT Approach by SSC: Evaluate strength of scieintific evidence supporting various actions Spawning – What species are spawning and where – When spawning – Status of species Habitat (and use by other species) Benthic-pelagic coupling Gear- benthos interactions Enforcement Economic impact

ABT Approach by SSC: Other Considerations Effectiveness of other management approaches Need to adopt ecosystem-based managenet Uncertainty and precaution

Spawning - Groupers P=presentA=aggregatedS=spawnR=Resident JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptOctNovDec Bajo de Sico Red hindP,A,S P,A P RRRP NassauP,A,S P,APPPRRRR TigerPP,A PPPP YellowfinP,A PPRRRRP BlackP,A,S P,A PPRRRRP YellowmouthPPPPPPPRRRRP Tourmaline Red hindP,A,S RRRRRRRRR NassauPPPPPPPPPPPP Abril La Sierra Red hindP,A,S PPPRRRRP NassauP YellowfinP BlackP GroupersSSSSSS

Spawning – Other reports & species Bajo de Sico Ocean triggerfish, Yellowfin grouper, Queen snapper, Silk snapper, Blackfin snapper Tourmaline Mutton snapper, Rock hind, Coney, Queen triggerfish Abrir la Sierra Mutton snapper, silk snapper, Yellowtail grouper, Rock hind, Coney, Rainbow parrotfish, Hogfish Ojeda et al. 2007; SEAMAP Note: Much more work done on Bajo de Sico

Federal Closures – Western Puerto Rico J F M A M J J A S O N D Red, Black, Tiger, Yellowfin, Yellowedge Grouper Mutton, Lane Snapper Black, Blackfin, Vermilion, Silk Snapper Red Hind Brief period in summer where no known spawning of important snapper or grouper occurs. BUT: anecdotal reports by indicate aggregation for Nassau, Red Hind during July/August

Status of Spawning Stocks Nassau grouper Only known aggregation at BDS, small, threatened  highly vulnerable. Fish within Desecheo Marine Reserve reported gone. Black grouper BDS is one of only two documented aggregations, both very small Rainbow parrotfish Critically low and fully protected in EEZ; very high ecological value Hogfish Very low ACL due to low population size, vulnerable Queen snapper Recently had ACL overage Red Hind Not responded strongly to 3-month closures (Marshak 2007) Population stable (?) due to current protection (Draft SEDAR 35) Responded strongly to closures at MCD/Hind Bank Yellowfin grouper 14% of aggregations fished out (Ojeda et al.)

Importance for spawning of many species indicates these sites are special places Ojeda et al.2007

Habitat Spawning Habitat Geomorphology is important large-scale factor Structure is critical on small scale – To reduce predation – To provide shelter from current Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) Newly documented Unique coral, fish, algal communities Important connectivity through fish movements

North BDS 77m: Yellowfin grouper & Agaricia

West BDS 70m: Nassau grouper & High relief MCE

Puerto Rico St Croix Vieques Mona St Thomas Highly developed Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems ( m) are unique and patchily distributed Source: UPR MCE Cruises

Habitat - Bajo de Sico Many areas of bank used by spawning fishes Broad area of MCEs – Includes well-developed, high relief areas – Abundance of A. lamarki Critical feeding habitat for Hawksbill Turtles Designated critical habitat for A. cervicornis (30m) Strong benthic – pelagic coupling – Focal point for large pelagics – Upwelling – Important area for humpback whales

Tourmaline & Abrir la Sierra Not as well studied List of spawning/aggregating species fewer MCEs not as highly developed But shallow reef areas are very important Good connectivity to shallow nursery areas Still important humpback whale areas

Benthic – Pelagic Coupling NOAA Workshop on vertical zonation within MPAs Address the need and scientific justification for implementing completely no-take MPAs that would preclude fishing for pelagic species Describe current knowledge about the nature, direction, strength, and predictability of benthic- pelagic ecological linkages Develop a conceptual framework for predicting whether and how the removal of pelagic fishes may significantly disrupt or otherwise influence ecological linkages

Benthic – Pelagic Coupling To protect benthic species Workshop recommends NOT allowing pelagic fishing under the following conditions: Spawning aggregations sites - these are areas where pelagic species congregate in large numbers in a spatially and temporally predictable fashion Depths less than m in coral reef and temperate reef ecosystems - there is little separation of benthic and pelagic systems Around atolls or shallow seamounts

Gear- Benthos Interactions Given the depths involved: No pelagic gear that cannot be rigged to fish deep Spear fishing is selective – But is subject to the fisher – Potentially disruptive to fish behavior – Injured fish and scent of blood – draw predators Lobster fishing can lead to habitat destruction Anchoring is a known factor in habitat destruction

Enforcement

Economic Impact No clear consensus from users of whether closures would inhibit or enhance employment and investment opportunities (Griffith et al. 2007, p 119 in ABT Draft) = little net impact (but could be individual winners and losers) Stated impact from full year closure was almost equal to 6 month closure (Griffith et al. 2007, p 118 in ABT Draft) Alternative and adjacent areas available for fishers to fish – Economic return during closed season was same as during open season at ALS (public comment) If closed areas function in a manner anticipated by the SSC, the longterm benefits from recovered populations are likely to outweigh costs associated with the closures (i.e., spillover to adjacent areas and recruitment of larvae to downstream areas)

Recommendations Regardless of the duration of the closures at each site, we recommend each closure to be complete to all fishing – Prohibition of all fishing for is based on benthic- pelagic coupling, but also to reduce management uncertainty relative to enforcement due to potential gear – benthic interactions (leading to direct or incidental harvest of demersal species, habitat damage) Recommend that anchoring in all three areas be prohibited year round

Recommendations Recommend that Bajo de Sico be closed year round Recommended that Abrir la Sierra and Tourmaline be closed for 6 months from December-May – Note: a majority of the SSC felt a 12 month closure of Abrir la Sierra and Tourmaline were justified

A Larger Context SSC discussions indicated that The CFMC should engage more rigorously in Ecosystem-based Management, including the use of no-take MPAs, especially given problems with landings data and ABC/ACL calculations The Ecological Integrity of reef fish communities needs to be “restored”. – Need large predators to restore top-down ecological controls, which should enhance ecosystem resilience – Need large parrotfishes to control algal overgrowth

The CMFC should further investigate the existence of other spawning aggregation sites and species – Formal recommendations may be forthcomming in the revised Research Plan Management should consider closure of other key areas