MARFIN & Saltonstall-Kennedy, and SEFSC Projects in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

SEFSC

Bonnie J. Ponwith, Ph.D.CFMC August, 2015

Marine Fisheries Initiative -- MARFIN• Dr. John Hoenig, Virginia Institute of Marine Science• Assessment of maturity in commercially and

recreationally important reef fishes from the U.S. Virgin Islands

• Dr. Virginia Shervette, University of South Carolina• Filling critical life history information gaps of data-poor

fisheries in U.S. Caribbean waters: Age, growth, and reproduction of queen triggerfish and four species of parrotfish

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2

Saltonstall-Kennedy• Dr. Richard Nemeth, University of the Virgin Islands• Management of red hind (Epinephelus guttatus)

spawning aggregations in the U.S. Caribbean Islands: What is the most effective option for stock enhancement?

• Dr. Jerald Ault, University of Miami• Capacity Building for Design and Analysis of Fishery-

Independent Surveys of Reef-fishes in Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3

Saltonstall-Kennedy (continued)• Dr. Jerald Ault, University of Miami• Extending Fishery-Independent Surveys for Reef-fishes

in Puerto Rico to Mid-Depth and Deep Reefs• Dr. Tracy Yandle, Dr. Sherry Larkin, Dr. Jennifer Sweeney

Tookes, and Mr. Michael Page, Emory University• Assessing the Viability of a Commercial Lionfish Fishery

in the U.S. Virgin Islands• Dr. Hector Ruiz• Sustainability and recovery of groupers in Puerto Rico

and the US Virgin Islands

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4

SEFSC Project: Commercial Catch Sampling • In FY14, a study was conducted to design a port sampling

program for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. • In FY15, the results of the study were implemented at a

pilot scale and includes catch and biological sampling. • The final report will include a summary of pilot study and

recommendations for full-scale implementation. • Concept is to generate effort and landings estimates and

link them to the Commercial Catch Records data.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5

SEFSC Project: Fishery-independent Survey• NOAA FSV PISCES fishery-independent data collection

cruise will be conducted October-November, 2015.• sampling adjacent to PR, STT-STJ and STX• Three camera systems will collect visual images• Bandit gear used to collect data and specimens• Acoustic surveys will be conducted over night in selected

area to map and characterize bottom habitat.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7

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