Recommendations from the ACLG

February 23-25 2008

SSC Motion 1

• In cases where the data available matches that in Scenario 7, provide the management advice in Scenario 7: “Taking into account fishery independent research, control a fishery with the purpose of collecting needed data. Catch and/or effort is limited to what is required to collect sufficient data.”

SSC Motion 2

• In cases where the data available matches that in Scenario 1, provide the management advice in Scenario 1: “OFL would be >, =, or < recent catch based on ratio of Fmsy/F.”

SSC Motion 3

• In cases where the data available matches that in Scenario 3, provide the management advice in Scenario 3: “If trend in F is increasing, catch level should be reduced from recent levels. If not, catch level should not exceed recent catch.”

SSC Motion 4

• In cases where the data available matches that in Scenario 4, provide the management advice in Scenario 4: “Catch level should not exceed average catch in recent years (determined on a case by case basis).”

SSC Motion 5

• In cases where the data available matches that in Scenario 5, provide the management advice in Scenario 5: Can give management advice (e.g., effort), but not catch advice.”

SSC Motion 6

• The SSC recommends modifying the species complexes in accordance with the recommendations of the SEDAR and the ACL Group. The list is attached along with the justification.

SSC Motion 7

• The currently defined Grouper Unit 4 belongs in Scenario 7 based on current data availability. If the current Grouper Unit 4 is modified as recommended to create Grouper Units 4 and 5, both belong in Scenario 7 based on current data availability.

SSC Motion 8

• Queen conch belongs in Scenario 7 based on current data availability.

SSC Motion 9

• Nassau grouper belongs in Scenario 7 based on current data availability.

SSC Motion 1• The SSC approves the use of Table 1 as a basis

for management advice. The table contains eight scenarios. The appropriate scenario for any specific stock complex will depend on data availability for that complex. Each scenario specifies whether the calculation of an OFL is possible, and provides management advice.

• If estimates of OFL are available by application of Table 1, the SSC could give ABC recommendations in accordance with a Council-agreed ABC control rule.

SSC Motion 2

• The SSC recommends adopting the revised species groupings approved by the CFMC data SEDAR and the ACL Group. These new groupings are shown in Table 2.

• In addition the SSC continues to recommend splitting parrotfish into two groups, as approved in an SSC motion at its previous meeting.

SSC Motion 3• The SSC assigns stock complexes to the following

scenarios, based on data quality and availability:

– Queen conch – Scenario 7

– Nassau grouper – Scenario 7

– Grouper Unit 4 (as currently defined) – Scenario 7 • (Grouper Units 4 and 5, as proposed, would both

fall in Scenario 7)

– Parrotfish (as currently defined) – Scenario 4• (Parrotfish Unit 1, as proposed, would fall in

Scenario 4; Parrotfish Unit 2, as proposed, would fall in Scenario 7)

– Snapper Unit 1 – Scenario 7

X SSC Motion 3 continued• Ideally catch levels associated with Scenario 7 should be

set based on a level appropriate for attaining necessary data.

• The SSC cannot refute the catch level recommendations of the ACLG.

• The SSC agrees that the recommendations of the ACLG with regard to parrotfish are consistent with Scenario 4.

X SSC Motion 3 continuedAdditional management guidance:

• Regarding Queen conch, the catch recommendations of the ACLG are consistent with Scenario 7 in the short term, if adequate data collection ensues.

• Regarding Nassau grouper, given the condition of the stock, the catch recommendations of the ACLG are consistent with Scenario 7 in the short term. The collection of fishery independent data should be emphasized until the time a fishery controlled for the purposes of data collection can ensue.

• Regarding Grouper Unit 4:

– For Puerto Rico, no additional guidance beyond that in Scenario 7 is possible.

– For St. Thomas and St. John, current management measures are consistent with Scenario 7 in the short term, if adequate data collection ensues.

X SSC Motion 3 continued• Regarding Parrotfish, under the current stock complex, the

recommendations of the ACLG are consistent with Scenario 7 in the short term, if adequate data collection ensues.

• Regarding Parrotfish, if the current stock complex is split based on SSC recommendations:

– The ACLG recommendations for the overall Parrotfish complex applied to the new Parrotfish Unit 1 are consistent with Scenario 7 in the short term, if adequate data collection ensues.

– Regarding the new Parrotfish Unit 2, the SSC recommends, given the status of the stocks, that the catch should be set to 0. The collection of fishery independent data should be emphasized until the time a fishery controlled for the purposes of data collection can ensue.

• Regarding Snapper Unit 1,

Summary ACLG Scenario Recommendations

PR STT STX

QC ACL EEZ =0

closely monitor

ACL=50,000 lb

ACL EEZ=0

(ACL=EEZ+State=50,000 lb; 200 qc/boat

5-month closed

Nassau ABC=0

monitor aggregations

ABC=0 ABC=0

NOTE: Commercial Sector

Summary ACLG Scenario Recommendations

PR STT STX

Parrotfish 3 (99-06 avg.) (80,000)

4 (94-06 avg.) (ABC=50,000)

4 (94-06 avg.) (max. 270,000)

GU4 7 (94-06 avg)

7 7

SU1 1 (99-06 avg.)

(284,400)

7 7

NOTE: Commercial Sector

Queen Conch

• SSC in conjunction with the Commonwealth look at Average catch for conch to develop ACL for PR

SU1 PR

• For PR use Scenario 1 to determine the OFL for snapper unit 1. The SSC should determine appropriate species grouping options for use in determining OFL and use average catch from 1999-2006. Based on analysis of scenario 1 for snapper unit 1 in PR we recommend an OFL of 284,400 lbs for PR.

Issues

• Recreational Data

• Expertise of the fishers vs no data

• Lack of data (biological parameters, etc.)

• No attempt at collecting data

• Too many regulations and NO Monitoring

• No Enforcement

• Other problems

Queen Conch St Croix

• A quota be set for 50,000 lb, 6-month closure, 200 conch per boat, no possession when the season is closed or quota reached. Size limit 9 inches or 3/8” LT (14 yes)

• ACL (Commercial) STX EEZ+State=50,000 lb

Queen Conch

• ACL commercial (STT/STJ): 50,000 lb

• ACL EEZ =0 (STT/STJ)

• 13 yes

Queen Conch

• Recommend that the queen conch fishery be closely monitored

• ACL EEZ PR = 0 (AS/DO) –all yes

Nassau Grouper

• ABC = 0

• Monitoring of the Nassau grouper aggregations is highly recommended

• (D.O./J.M.) 14 yes -- carries

Queen Conch

• SSC in conjunction with the Commonwealth look at Average catch for conch to develop ACL for PR (DO/PS) (14 yes)

Parrotfish

• STT parrotfish (commercial) ACL=50,000 lb (DO/JM) (withdrawn)

Methodology Recommendation 1

• Approved Scenario 4 as shown including the advice given when the data fall within this scenario. (JB/PS) [In the cases where we have only catch data and no length data] (all yes)

Methodology Recommendation 2

• Approved Scenario 3 as shown including the advice given when the data fall within this scenario. (JB/PS) [In the cases where the demographic data is not useful but have length data, no recruitment anomaly andhave catch data] (all yes)

STT/STJ Parrotfish

• ABC commercial STT/STJ parrotfish= 50,000 lb (JM/DO) (all yes)– Scenario 4 (1994-2006 average of catches)

STX Parrotfish

• ABC commercial STX (1994-2006) = 270,000

– Parrotfish and STX will fall in Scenario 4 recommend not increase catch more than 270,000 and decrease if the Council was to be precautionary (TD/JB/GM) – 1 no Marcia (decrease the catch)

Parrotfish Puerto Rico

• Methodology of Scenario 3 for Puerto Rico parrotfish with average catch for 1999-2006 (80,000 lbs)

• Recommended catches of 80,000 lbs for parrotfish (when OFL cannot be determined) and Council can be more precautionary if they want to be. Setting the most appropriate years to set the level. (RG/DM) yes

• Recent catch corrected (0.54 for 04-05-06) provides an average catch of 73,000 lb

• (F not increasing from preliminary analysis) Todd – increase in mean length 1999-2000 for 2 species --

GU4

• For STT GU4 use scenario 7 with the comments on creating Experimental fishery and monitoring (JB/JM) (1 abstention)

GU4

• For STX GU4 use scenario 7 with the comments on creating Experimental fishery and monitoring (PS/JB) {Intent to collect the data needed SSC to get the correct language; not as per NMFS’ experimental permits, etc.} (2 abstentions) number of members 11

GU4

• Use scenario 7 for Puerto Rico GU4 (all yes)

SU1

• STT/STX SU1 under Scenario 7 (JB/)

Methodology

• Approve Scenario 1 (TG/PS) methodology and advice from scenario 1(all yes)

SU1 PR

Opposed Andy

SU1

• Based on analysis scenario 1 for SU1 recommend that set and ABC of 200,000 lb (RG/JB)

• See Todd’s e-mail

• Issues mis id silks and others; most landed species;

•

• Recommend STFA be involved in the development of the expertimental fishery