U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 1 Island-Based FMPs Choosing Species for Federal Management within an MSA Context

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2 Establish a seven-member expert panel to apply the full suite of selection criteria to develop a draft list of species to manage within each of the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Croix FMPs. Those draft species lists will be reviewed by the DAPs in July 2015, then brought back to the Council for consideration at their August 2015 meeting. Using each species list as a guide, Council staff will then begin developing alternatives for Action 2 (species groupings), Action 3 (reference points), and additional actions as appropriate. The tentative timeline for development of these FMPs includes presentation of a Public Hearing Draft to the Council no later than their spring, 2016, meeting. Outcomes of the 152nd Caribbean Council Meeting

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3 Three approaches 1)Alternative 1: Bring everything from the old FMPs into the new FMPs. 2)Alternative 2: Choose any combination of the criterions under alternative 3: 3)Alternative 3: Use a stepwise selection process: A)Include for management those species that are classified as overfished in U.S. Caribbean waters based on NOAA Fisheries’ determination, or for which historically identified harvest is now prohibited due to their ecological importance as habitat (corals presently included in the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP) or habitat engineers (midnight, blue, rainbow parrotfish), or those species for which seasonal closures or size limits apply ; B) From the remainder, exclude from federal management those species that have been determined to infrequently occur in federal waters based on expert analysis guided by available data ; C) From the remainder, include for management those species who are biologically vulnerable, constrained to a specific habitat that renders them particularly vulnerable, or have an essential ecological value, as determined by expert analysis ; D) From the remainder, include those species possessing economic importance to the nation or regional economy based on a threshold of landings or value separately determined for each of the recreational, commercial, and aquarium trade sectors as appropriate (e.g., top 90%) and those representing an important component of bycatch, as established by expert analysis. Action 1: Choosing Species to Manage in the U.S. Caribbean

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4 Choosing Species to Manage in the U.S. Caribbean DISCUSSION Alternative 1: Bring everything from the old FMPs into the new FMPs: Reef fish = 81 species plus 58 species of aquarium trade invertebrates Spiny lobster = 1 species Queen conch = 1 species Corals = 94 species of corals and 63 species of aquarium trade invertebrates

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5 Choosing Species to Manage in the U.S. Caribbean DISCUSSION Alternative 2: 2) Choose any combination of the following choice factors : A.Include for management those species that are classified as overfished in U.S. Caribbean waters based on NOAA Fisheries’ determination, or for which historically identified harvest is now prohibited due to their ecological importance as habitat (corals presently included in the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP) or habitat engineers (midnight, blue, rainbow parrotfish), or those species for which seasonal closures or size limits apply ; B.Exclude from federal management those species that have been determined to infrequently occur in federal waters based on expert analysis guided by available data ; C.Include for management those species who are biologically vulnerable, constrained to a specific habitat that renders them particularly vulnerable, or have an essential ecological value, as determined by expert analysis ; D.Include those species possessing economic importance to the nation or regional economy based on a threshold of landings or value separately determined for each of the recreational, commercial, and aquarium trade sectors as appropriate (e.g., top 90%) and those representing an important component of bycatch, as established by expert analysis.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6 Choosing Species to Manage in the U.S. Caribbean DISCUSSION Alternative 3: 3) Use a stepwise selection process: A.Include for management those species that are classified as overfished in U.S. Caribbean waters based on NOAA Fisheries’ determination, or for which historically identified harvest is now prohibited due to their ecological importance as habitat (corals presently included in the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP) or habitat engineers (midnight, blue, rainbow parrotfish), or those species for which seasonal closures or size limits apply ; B. From the remainder, exclude from federal management those species that have been determined to infrequently occur in federal waters based on expert analysis guided by available data ; C. From the remainder, include for management those species who are biologically vulnerable, constrained to a specific habitat that renders them particularly vulnerable, or have an essential ecological value, as determined by expert analysis ; D. From the remainder, include those species possessing economic importance to the nation or regional economy based on a threshold of landings or value separately determined for each of the recreational, commercial, and aquarium trade sectors as appropriate (e.g., top 90%) and those representing an important component of bycatch, as established by expert analysis.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7 From the Remainder: Are they harvested predominately from federal waters? If NOT, they should not be included for federal management. This is a fundamental determination. Unfortunately, we have little suitable data regarding harvest location, but some depth distribution data are available and provided. Shelf edge = shallow-water/deep-water break.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 9 From the Remainder: IF they fall within federal waters based on above criteria, are they: -biologically vulnerable -constrained to a specific habitat that renders them particularly vulnerable -have an essential ecological value

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 10 From the Remainder: FINALLY, are there any remaining species who: - possess economic importance to the nation or regional economy based on a threshold of landings or value separately determined for each of the recreational, commercial, and aquarium trade sectors -do they represent an important component of bycatch THESE DETERMINATIONS ARE BASED ON DISCUSSIONS FROM EXPERT PANEL

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 11 Two Important Notes: 1)If, in the future, another species is identified as meeting these criteria and therefore is appropriate for inclusion, it can be added by amendment 2)In the case of a developing fishery, immediate action can be taken by emergency rule, providing time to plan and respond

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 12 1)Alternative 1: No Action. Organize stocks in the FMU based on the stock complexes historically managed under the Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, and Coral and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMPs 2)Alternative 2: Do not organize the stocks in the FMU in stock complexes. 3)Alternative 3: Organize stocks in the FMU into stock complexes based on criteria developed by the Council and their SSC in cooperation with NMFS’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center and Southeast Regional Office. Action 2 : Establish stock complexes in the Fishery Management Unit (FMU).

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 13 Action 3 (a): Establish a year sequence for determining mean or median annual landings for each stock in the FMU. Alternative 1: No Action. Use the time series in the U.S. Caribbean 2010 or 2011 Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit (ACLs) Amendment to establish management reference points or proxies for stocks in the FMU. Alternative 2: Use the longest year sequence of reliable landings data to establish management reference points or proxies for stocks in the FMU. Alternative 3. Use the most recent three years of available landings data to establish management reference points or proxies for stocks in the FMU. Action 3 : Define Management Reference Points

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 14 Action 3a : Possible Year Sequences St. Croix Commercial St. Thomas/St. John Commercial Alternative (2010 ACL) and (2011 ACL) (2010 ACL) and (2011 ACL) Alternative Alternative Puerto Rico CommercialPuerto Rico Recreational Alternative (2010 ACL) and (2011 ACL) (2010 ACL) and (2011 ACL) Alternative Alternative

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 15 Action 3b : Establish management reference points for stocks in the FMU. Action 3 (b): Establish management reference points for stocks in the FMU. Alternative 1: No Action. For stocks in the FMU, retain the management reference points or proxies presently used for species or species groups within the Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, and Coral and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMPs. Alternative 2(a) through 2(m): For stocks in the FMU, establish management reference points or proxies based on the year sequence of landings data as defined in Action 3(a) and chosen in the following table.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 16 Action 3b : Options to establish management reference points for stocks in FMU. REFERENCE POINT Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) Alternative 2(a) MSY proxy = Median annual landings selected by Council in Action 3(a). Alternative 2(b) MSY proxy = Mean annual landings selected by Council in Action 3(a). Overfishing Limit (OFL) Alternative 2(c) OFL = MSY proxy adjusted using the ORCS scalar; overfishing occurs when annual landings exceed the OFL, unless NMFS’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (in consultation with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council and it’s SSC) determines the overage occurred because data collection/monitoring improved, rather than because landings actually increased. Alternative 2(d) OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing occurs when annual landings exceed the OFL, unless NMFS’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (in consultation with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council and it’s SSC) determines the overage occurred because data collection/monitoring improved, rather than because landings actually increased. Acceptable Biological Catch Control Rule (ABC) Alternative 2(e) ABC= OFL Alternative 2(f) ABC= [OFL x 0.90] Alternative 2(g) ABC= [OFL x 0.85] Alternative 2(h) ABC= [OFL x 0.75] Optimum Yield(OY)/Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Alternative 2(i) OY = ACL = ABC Alternative 2(j) OY = ACL = [ABC x (0.90)] Alternative 2(k) OY = ACL = [ABC x (0.85)] Alternative 2(l) OY = ACL = [ABC x (0.75)] Alternative 2(m) OY = ACL = 0

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 17 Action 4: Ecosystem Species (EC)? To be consider an EC species, the species should:  (A) Be a non-target species or nontarget stock;  (B) Not be determined to be subject to overfishing, approaching overfished, or overfished;  (C) Not be likely to become subject to overfishing or overfished, according to the best available information, in the absence of conservation and management measures; and  (D) Not generally be retained for sale or personal use. Occasional retention of the species would not, in and of itself, preclude consideration of the species under the EC classification.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 18 Draft Timeline August 2015Council Meeting Approve list of species for management. Discuss additional Actions and Alternatives. Council tasks staff to develop public hearing draft (PHD). October 2015SSC MeetingStart the development of management reference points December 2015Council Meeting SERO presents draft actions and alternatives. SERO works on making final changes to the actions and alternatives based on Council feedback. Completed PHD document by the Council meeting in Spring 2016 January 2016SSC MeetingContinue work developing management reference points March 2016Council Meeting Council selects preferred alternatives, approves public hearing draft, and goes out for public hearings for each FMP and EIS. Provide charge to APs to review and comment June 2016Public Hearings August 2016Council MeetingReview outcomes of public hearings October 2016SEROStaff finalizes FMPs December 2016Council MeetingApprove FMPs for Secretarial submission

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 19 Background Slides:

Alternative 3 Criterion A – Puerto Rico Species for Inclusion A.Overfished or Prohibited Harvest + 94 species/species groups of prohibited corals 1. GOLIATH GROUPER 2. GROUPER, NASSAU 3. PARROTFISH, MIDNIGHT 4. PARROTFISH, BLUE 5. PARROTFISH, RAINBOW 6. CONCH, QUEEN SPECIES/SPECIES GROUPS OF PROHIBITED CORALS 7. SNAPPER, BLACK 8. GROUPER, YELLOWEDGE 9. HIND, RED 10. GROUPER, RED 11. SNAPPER, MUTTON 12. SNAPPER, BLACKFIN 13. SNAPPER, LANE 14. SNAPPER, SILK 15. GROUPER, BLACK 16. GROUPER, TIGER 17. GROUPER, YELLOWFIN 18. SNAPPER, VERMILION B. Seasonal Closures C. Federal Size Limits Total # of species included under Alternative 3 Criterion A = 20 of a total of 332 species with reported landings, PLUS 94 corals. 19. SNAPPER, YELLOWTAIL 20. LOBSTER, CARIBBEAN SPINY

Alternative 3 Criterion A – St. Thomas/St. John Species for Inclusion A. Overfished & Prohibited Harvest 1. GOLIATH GROUPER 2. GROUPER, NASSAU 3. PARROTFISH, MIDNIGHT 4. PARROTFISH, BLUE 5. PARROTFISH, RAINBOW 6. CONCH, QUEEN 7. SNAPPER, BLACK 8. GROUPER, YELLOWEDGE 9. HIND, RED 10. GROUPER, RED 11. SNAPPER, MUTTON 12. SNAPPER, BLACKFIN 13. SNAPPER, LANE 14. SNAPPER, SILK 15. GROUPER, BLACK 16. GROUPER, TIGER 17. GROUPER, YELLOWFIN 18. SNAPPER, VERMILION B. Seasonal Closures C. Federal Size Limits Total # of species included under Alternative 3 Criterion A = 20 of a total of 332 species with reported landings. 19. SNAPPER, YELLOWTAIL 20. LOBSTER, CARIBBEAN SPINY

Alternative 3 Criterion A - St. Croix Species for Inclusion A. Overfished & Prohibited Harvest 1. GOLIATH GROUPER 2. GROUPER, NASSAU 3. PARROTFISH, MIDNIGHT 4. PARROTFISH, BLUE 5. PARROTFISH, RAINBOW 6. SNAPPER, BLACK 7. GROUPER, YELLOWEDGE 8. HIND, RED 9. GROUPER, RED 10. SNAPPER, MUTTON 11. SNAPPER, BLACKFIN 12. SNAPPER, LANE 13. SNAPPER, SILK 14. GROUPER, BLACK 15. GROUPER, TIGER 16. GROUPER, YELLOWFIN 17. SNAPPER, VERMILION 18. SNAPPER, YELLOWTAIL 19. LOBSTER, CARIBBEAN SPINY 20. PARROTFISH, STRIPED 21. PARROTFISH, PRINCESS 22. PARROTFISH, QUEEN 23. PARROTFISH, REDBAND 24. PARROTFISH, REDTAIL 25. PARROTFISH, REDFIN 26. PARROTFISH, STOPLIGHT 27. CONCH, QUEEN B. Seasonal Closures C. Federal Size Limits Total # of species included under Alternative 3 Criterion A = 27 of a total of 332 species with reported landings.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 23 National Standard 7 Specific Criteria for Determining Inclusion Not every fishery needs regulations. Criteria in deciding if a fishery needs management through regulations implementing an FMP, the following general factors should be considered, among others: 1) The importance of the fishery to the Nation and the regional economy. 2) The condition of the stock or stocks of fish and whether an FMP can improve or maintain that condition. 3) The extent to which the fishery could be or is already adequately managed by states, by state/Federal programs, by federal regulations pursuant to FMPs or international commissions, or by industry self-regulation, consistent with the policies and standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 24 4) The need to resolve competing interests and conflicts among user groups and whether an FMP can further that resolution. 5) The economic condition of a fishery and whether an FMP can produce more efficient utilization. 6) The needs of a developing fishery and whether an FMP can foster orderly growth. 7) The costs associated with an FMP, balanced against the benefits. National Standard 7 Specific Criteria for Determining Inclusion (cont.)

Proposed Changes to National Standard 1: Conservation and management measures shall prevent overfishing while achieving on a continuing basis, the optimum yield (OY) from each fishery for the U.S. fishing industry. Stocks that Require Conservation & Management Proposes that a stock requires conservation and management if the following two criteria are met: Predominantly caught in Federal waters; and Overfished or subject to overfishing, or likely to become overfished or subject to overfishing. Proposes 10 additional factors that may lead to determination that a stock requires conservation and management (next slide) U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 25

Conservation & Management: Other Factors Other factors to consider in determining the need for conservation and management: (i) The stock is an important component of the marine environment. (ii) The stock is caught by the fishery. (iii) Whether an FMP can improve or maintain the condition of the stocks. (iv) The stock is a target of a fishery. (v) The stock is important to commercial, recreational, or subsistence users. (vi) The fishery is important to the Nation and to the regional economy. (vii) The need to resolve competing interests and conflicts among user groups and whether an FMP can further that resolution. (viii) The economic condition of a fishery and whether an FMP can produce more efficient utilization. (ix) The needs of a developing fishery, and whether an FMP can foster orderly growth. (x) The extent to which the fishery could be or is already adequately managed by states, by state/Federal programs, by Federal regulations pursuant to other FMPs or international commissions, or by industry self-regulation, consistent with the policies and standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 26