Black Sea Bass. Centropristis striata. Diane Rome Peebles

Transcription

1 Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata Diane Rome Peebles United States of America/Northwest Atlantic, United States of America/Western Central Atlantic Bottom trawls, Traps September 10, 2013 Seafood Watch Consulting Researcher Disclaimer Seafood Watch strives to have all Seafood Reports reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science and aquaculture. Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program or its recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report. Seafood Watch Standard used in this assessment: Standard for Fisheries vf2

2 Table of Contents About Seafood Watch Guiding Principles Summary Final Seafood Recommendations Introduction Assessment Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment Criterion 2: Impacts on other species Criterion 3: Management Effectiveness Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem Acknowledgements References Appendix A: Extra By Catch Species Appendix B: Review Schedule

3 About Seafood Watch Monterey Bay Aquarium s Seafood Watch program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from The program s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of Best Choices, Good Alternatives or Avoid. The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch s sustainability recommendations and the underlying Seafood Reports will be updated to reflect these changes. Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Reports in any way they find useful. For more information about Seafood Watch and Seafood Reports, please contact the Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium by calling

4 Guiding Principles Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished 1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Based on this principle, Seafood Watch had developed four sustainability criteria for evaluating wildcatch fisheries for consumers and businesses. These criteria are: How does fishing affect the species under assessment? How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species? How effective is the fishery s management? How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem? Each criterion includes: Factors to evaluate and score Guidelines for integrating these factors to produce a numerical score and rating Once a rating has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommendation. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and online guide: Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife. Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they re caught. Avoid/Red Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. 1 Fish is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates 4

5 Summary This report focuses upon the northern and southern stocks of the black sea bass. Black sea bass (BSB) in the Mid-Atlantic region are commercially exploited using bottom otter trawl, fish pot/traps, and handline gear, while the commercial fishery in the South Atlantic harvests black sea bass utilizing primarily fish pot/traps and handline gear. Both fisheries have large recreational components that are beyond the scope of this report, thus, only the commercial exploitation by otter trawl and the fish pot/trap gears, the two largest components of the fishery, will be explored here. The northern stock of BSB is co-managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council manages the southern stock (SAFMC). According to the latest stock assessment, both the northern and southern stocks of BSB are classified as not overfished, as they are currently above the biomass target established by the MAFMC/SAFMC complex. However, due to the significant level of uncertainty, the stock status is considered low concern instead of very low concern as per the Seafood Watch Criteria. The fishing pressure and mortality on the northern stock of BSB is a very low concern according to the Seafood Watch criteria because it is not overfished and the stock assessment models predict that fishing mortality will not reduce stock productivity. Fishing pressure on the South Atlantic stock of BSB is categorized as a low concern, due to the fact that overfishing is not occurring, but the stock was listed as experiencing overfishing until the most recent assessment. The northern stock of BSB is commercially exploited in a mixed species fishery that utilizes otter trawl and a more selective single species fishery that employs fish pot/trap gear. Otter trawl gear is nonselective, and therefore can result in large amounts of bycatch. Most species captured in the otter trawl fishery are retained and BSB make up a minor portion of the overall catch. The trawl fishery for sea bass targets Atlantic flatfish and scup in addition to BSB, which includes primarily summer founder and to a lesser extent windowpane, winter, and yellowtail flounders. Summer flounder is inherently moderately resilient to fishing pressure, and the stock has recently been rebuilt to target levels under a sustainable level of fishing mortality. Windowpane flounder is moderately resilient to fishing pressure and the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic stock is at moderate abundance with overfishing not occurring. The Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic stock of winter flounder is overfished with overfishing not occurring. The Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic stock of yellowtail flounder is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. In addition, the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery has been implicated in having a negative impact on the federally listed loggerhead turtle. Due to the threatened nature of the turtle, the otter trawl fishery is deemed to have a severe impact on other retained or bycatch species. The fish pot/trap gear used to capture BSB is selective, utilizing often-unbaited traps to capture structure oriented fish. Due to the high degree of gear selectivity, the Mid-Atlantic trap fishery is considered to have minimal impact on other retained and bycatch species. The commercial fishery in the South Atlantic utilizes fish pot/trap gear to target the southern stock of BSB. As with the Mid-Atlantic trap fishery, the South Atlantic trap fishery is also species specific. When BSB is the target species, it accounts for over 90% of the total landings by weight. Management of BSB is considered a low concern by Seafood Watch criteria. Effective management is in place that accounts for the uncertainty associated with the stock, and has maintained or recovered the stock above its established thresholds. Both the northern and southern fish pot/trap fisheries are considered all species retained --not applicable by Seafood Watch criteria with respect to management of non-retained species, as they both have very low bycatch. The otter trawl fishery is classified as moderate concern with respect to its management of bycatch species because of its implementation of bycatch reduction techniques. The effectiveness of these techniques, 5

6 however, is uncertain. The otter trawl fisheries, which catch BSB, have the largest impact on bottom habitat because the gear is continuously in contact with the habitat. Spatial closures have been employed in the Mid-Atlantic in an attempt to mitigate the impact of trawling gear on sensitive bottom habitat. The fish pot/trap BSB fisheries have a moderate impact on the substrate because they contact hard bottom habitats as well as potentially live coral habitats, however, they typically impact a much smaller area in relation to the otter trawl gear. The fisheries do not catch exceptional species. 6

7 Final Seafood Recommendations SPECIES/FISHERY CRITERION 1: IMPACTS ON THE SPECIES CRITERION 2: IMPACTS ON OTHER SPECIES CRITERION 3: MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS CRITERION 4: HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM OVERALL RECOMMENDATION Black sea bass United States of America Northw est Atlantic, Bottom traw ls, United States of America Black sea bass United States of America Northw est Atlantic, Traps (unspecified), United States of America Black sea bass United States of America Western Central Atlantic, Traps (unspecified), United States of America Green (4.47) Red (0.90) Green (3.46) Red (1.94) Avoid (2.28) Green (4.47) Green (5.00) Green (4.00) Yellow (2.45) Best Choice (3.85) Green (3.83) Green (4.75) Green (4.00) Yellow (2.60) Best Choice (3.71) Scoring Guide Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact. Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4). Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score > , and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High Concern 2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores Avoid/Red = Final Score 2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores. 2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High Concern for either factor under Management (Criterion 3). 7

8 Introduction Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation This report focuses upon the northern and southern stocks of the black sea bass. Black sea bass (BSB) in the Mid-Atlantic region are commercially exploited using bottom otter trawl and fish pot/trap gear, while the commercial fishery in the South Atlantic harvests black sea bass utilizing primarily fish pot/trap gear. The northern stock of BSB is co-managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council manages the southern stock (SAFMC). Species Overview The BSB (Centropristis striata) is caught along the Atlantic coast of the United States between the Gulf of Maine and the southern tip of Florida, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico (Shepherd and Neiland 2010)(McGovern et al. 2002). BSB is managed as three separate stocks: the Mid-Atlantic, the South Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico stocks. (Drohan et al. 2007). This report focuses on the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic stocks BSB are not subject to federal management in the Gulf of Mexico. Cape Hatteras, NC represents the management unit division between the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic stocks and recent evidence indicates that this geographic barrier is likely a genetic barrier as well, further vindicating the formation of two management units (ASMFC 2009)(Roy et. al 2012). The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) co-manage the northern stock from Maine to Cape Hatteras, NC. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) manages the southern stock, from Cape Hatteras, NC to the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys, FL. The BSB is a member of the order Perciformes and family Serranidae. BSB are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning all fish are born with female-shaped gonads, however, not all fish mature as females. Between the ages of 2 and 5, or once individuals have reached a total length between 9 and 13 inches, a certain proportion of individuals undergo sexual transition from female to male (Shepherd 2008)(ASMFC 2009). Following this transition, BSB males follow two paths, becoming either dominant or subordinate males (Shepherd 2008). It is thought that the transition is dependent upon visual cues and also varies with latitude (McGovern et al. 2002). It is hypothesized that dominant males control the hermaphroditic transition, and the removal of large dominant males has been shown to accelerate this transition in other protogynous reef fish (Shepherd 2008). The timing of spawning varies geographically. The southern stock begins spawning first, as early as February, with spawning events progressing northward through spring and summer (ASMFC 2009). Peak spawning in the southern stock occurs between March and May, while the northern stock peak spawning occurs from May to June (Vaughan et al. 1998)(Wenner et al. 1986)(Drohan et al. 2007). The age of sexual maturation also varies by latitude with northern females maturing and therefore undergoing sexual transition at an older age relative to southern individuals (McGovern et al. 2002). The number of dominant males in spawning aggregates may strongly influence recruitment to the fishery. In other protogynous species, the preservation of large dominant males is crucial for the sustainability of the stock. In theory, removing large males causes more females to transition in the population, thereby removing not only biomass but also large egg reservoirs as well. BSB are a relatively short-lived species, with maximum ages reported to be between 7 and 10 years of age (Froese and Pauly 2012)(Shepherd 2008)(Wenner et al. 1986). BSB grow quickly, with juveniles growing between 0.29 and 0.74 mm per day depending upon the season. Adult BSB growth appears to vary by latitude and sex, with southern individuals and males growing more slowly. The relationship between sex and growth, however, is still a subject of debate (Drohan et al. 2007). The maximum size of BSB is 60 to 66 cm (Froese and Pauly 2012)(Shepherd 2008). 8

9 BSB are structure oriented fish that prefer live-bottom and reef habitat, and inhabit shallow coastal waters when water temperatures are above 7oC (Shepherd 2008)(ASMFC 2012). As water temperatures decrease, BSB in the northern stock migrate offshore and southward to overwintering grounds (ASMFC 2012)(Shepherd 2008). The timing and extent of migration depend upon the point of origin for the individual, with more northerly residents migrating earlier in the year and farther distances in response to bottom water temperatures (Shepherd 2008). Tagging studies of the southern stock of BSB, however, have indicated that minimal migration occurs south of Cape Hatteras, NC (McGovern et al. 2002). As water temperatures rise, the BSB return to the nearshore environment to spawn (Shepherd 2008). Production Statistics The northern stock is fished commercially using otter trawl, handline, and fish pot/trap gear, and the type of gear used coincides with the seasonal distribution of the species. During the winter months, when BSB are offshore, they are captured in the summer flounder and scup fishery using otter trawl gear (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994). Following the spring/summer inshore migration, BSB in the Mid-Atlantic are targeted with unbaited fish pot/traps (Shepherd 2008). The southern stock is fished primarily with fish pot/trap and handline gear. Both Atlantic stocks support large commercial and recreational fisheries. Though an important gear type (particularly in the recreational fishery, but also used commercially to catch many species from a multispecies complex), handline fisheries are not included in this assessment. Since 1989, otter trawl gear has not been an allowable gear for the harvest of snapper grouper species in the South Atlantic, which is one important reason for the regional difference in gear usage. Northern Stock Total commercial landings of BSB from the northern stock peaked at 9,883 metric tons in Landings then steadily declined to a low of 566 MT in 1971, and have hovered around 1400 MT since 1974 (Figure 1) (Shepherd 2008). The recreational component of the BSB fishery represents a large source of exploitation on the northern stock (Figure 2). Figure 1 Figure 1. Total commercial black sea bass landings from the northern stock from 1939 to Figure borrowed from 53rd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (NEFSC 2012a). 9

10 Figure 2 Figure 2. Commercial and recreational landings and discards in metric tons through time. Figure borrowed from 53rd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (NEFSC 2012a). Southern Stock In the southern BSB stock, commercial hook and line landings peaked in the 1990s and have since been in steady decline. Commercial pot/trap landings peaked a decade earlier and have remained stable ever since (Figure 3; Figure 4)(SEDAR 2011). 10

11 Figure 3 Figure 3. Total commercial hook and line landings for BSB in the South Atlantic, where open circles represent observed landings and closed circles and lines display predicted landings. Figure borrowed from Southeast Data Assessment and Review 2011 (SEDAR 2011). 11

12 Figure 4 Figure 4. Total commercial pot/trap landings for BSB in the South Atlantic, where open circles represent observed landings and closed circles and lines display predicted landings. Figure borrowed from Southeast Data Assessment and Review 2011 (SEDAR 2011). As with the northern stock, recreational take exceeds the take from the commercial fishery. Recreational landings from the southern stock during the 1980s were highly variable, reaching a peak in the late 1980s (Figure 5). Since this peak, the recreational landings have exhibited much lower variability surrounding the annual landings of BSB (SEDAR 2011). 12

13 Figure 5 Figure 5. Total recreational landings of BSB from the South Atlantic Bight, where open circles represent observed landings and closed circles and lines display predicted landings. Figure borrowed from Southeast Data Assessment and Review 2011 (SEDAR 2011). Importance to the US/North American market. All BSB are found in U.S. waters and therefore BSB does not contribute to import statistics. There are no export statistics specifically for BSB. The Fisheries Statistics Division at the National Marine Fisheries Service only lists the general category of sea bass (NOAA 2012a). Common and market names. BSB have a variety of common names: black will, chub, pinbass, old humpback, blackfish, rock bass, black bass, bluefish, and tallywag (ASMFC 2009)(Seafood Handbook 2012). Primary product forms BSB is available live, fresh, and frozen. Fresh and frozen BSB can be purchased whole, dressed (head-on), headed and gutted, and in fillet form (Seafood Handbook 2012). 13

14 Assessment This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available at Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing rating influences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown. The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score 2.2=Red or High Concern Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical Criterion 1 Summary BLACK SEA BASS Region Method United States of America/Northwest Atlantic Bottom trawls United States of America United States of America/Northwest Atlantic Traps (unspecified) United States of America United States of America/Western Central Atlantic Traps (unspecified) United States of America Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score 3.00: Low 4.00: Low Concern 5.00: Very Low Concern 3.00: Low 4.00: Low Concern 5.00: Very Low Concern Green (4.47) Green (4.47) 3.00: Low 4.00: Low Concern 3.67: Low Concern Green (3.83) Criterion 1 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Inherent Vulnerability Low The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 0-35, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it resilient to fishing, (e.g., early maturing). Medium The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 36-55, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it neither particularly vulnerable nor resilient to fishing, (e.g., moderate age at 14

15 sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderate maximum size, and middle of food chain). High The FishBase vulnerability score for species is , OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make is particularly vulnerable to fishing, (e.g., long-lived (>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduction rate, large body size, and top-predator). Note: The FishBase vulnerability scores is an index of the inherent vulnerability of marine fishes to fishing based on life history parameters: maximum length, age at first maturity, longevity, growth rate, natural mortality rate, fecundity, spatial behaviors (e.g., schooling, aggregating for breeding, or consistently returning to the same sites for feeding or reproduction) and geographic range. Factor Abundance 5 (Very Low Concern) Strong evidence exists that the population is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass. 4 (Low Concern) Population may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished 3 (Moderate Concern) Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. 2 (High Concern) Population is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing. 1 (Very High Concern) Population is listed as threatened or endangered. Factor Fishing Mortality 5 (Very Low Concern) Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribution to the mortality of species is negligible ( 5% of a sustainable level of fishing mortality) (Low Concern) Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fishery does not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribution to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality is unknown, but the population is healthy and the species has a low susceptibility to the fishery (low chance of being caught) (Moderate Concern) Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has a moderate-high susceptibility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place. 1 (High Concern) Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species is depleted, and no management is in place. 0 (Critical) Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing. BLACK SEA BASS Factor Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Low The FishBase vulnerability score is 31 out of 100, translating into a low vulnerability classification by Seafood Watch (Froese and Pauly 2012). 15

16 Factor Abundance UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Low Concern SSBcurrent: SSBtarget = 1.17 and the SSB 2010 is 111% of SSB MSY (NEFSC 2012a)(ASMFC 2012). However, there is a high degree of scientific uncertainty surrounding stock assessments for this stock. The latest age structured stock assessment and model were not accepted by external peer reviewers (see Criterion 3.1), due to uncertainties in the stock structure; therefore, until an appropriate age-based model can be developed, the stock is assessed using length-based methods, although an age-based assessment would offer substantial advantages (NEFSC 2011a). There is also uncertainty in how the stock is affected by harvesting given its life history as a protogynous hermaphrodite. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Low Concern Prior to 2013, the stock was below SSBmsy but above MSST and was considered to be rebuilding. The 2013 assessment update found that stock size had rebounded to just above SSBmsy (SSB2012/SSBmsy = 1.03). Therefore, the stock is considered recovered. However, the stock assessment update indicates that there is high uncertainty in the estimate of stock abundance. In addition, the increasing trend in abundance is driven by estimates of high recruitment in recent years, but recruitment declines in the latest two years of the assessment, and age composition data do not support the high recruitment data (SEDAR 2013). This leads to a high degree of uncertainty in the finding that biomass is above SSBmsy, although the stock abundance estimates are well above MSST, so it is highly likely that the stock is not overfished. Factor Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Very Low Concern F current: F MSY = 0.48 (NEFSC 2012a). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Low Concern Between 1991 and 2011, F current: F MSY was estimated to be greater than 1.0, indicating overfishing was occurring. However, according to the 2013 assessment update, the estimated fishing mortality rate from (the most recent estimate in the time series) dropped well below Fmsy; F /Fmsy was estimated at Therefore, overfishing is no longer occurring (SEDAR 2013). However, there is some uncertainty, both because of the recent history of overfishing, and because of a high degree of uncertainty in the stock assessment estimates (SEDAR 2013). 16

17 Criterion 2: Impacts on other species All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion 1. Seafood Watch defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing. To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard rate score (ranges from 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score 2.2=Red or High Concern Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Crtitical Criterion 2 Summary Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix A. BLACK SEA BASS - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC - BOTTOM TRAWLS - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Subscore: 1.00 Discard Rate: 0.90 C2 Rate: 0.90 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Loggerhead turtle 1.00:High 1.00:Very High Concern Pilot whale (unspecified) 1.00:High 2.00:High Concern 2.33:Moderate Concern Thorny skate 1.00:High 2.00:High Concern 2.33:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.00) Red (2.16) Red (2.16) Blackback 3.00:Low 2.00:High Concern 3.67:Low Concern Yellow (2.71) Butterfish 3.00:Low 2.00:High Concern 3.67:Low Concern Yellow (2.71) Short-beaked common dolphin 1.00:High 4.00:Low Concern 2.33:Moderate Concern Yellow (3.05) Barndoor skate 1.00:High 4.00:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern Green (3.83) Goosefish 1.00:High 4.00:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern Green (3.83) 17

18 Smooth skate 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern Green (3.83) Windowpane 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern Green (3.83) Yellowtail flounder 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern Green (3.83) Rosette skate 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern Green (3.83) Winter skate 1.00:High 5.00:Very Low Concern Little skate 2.00:Medium 5.00:Very Low Concern Clearnose skate 1.00:High 5.00:Very Low Concern Longfin squid 2.00:Medium 5.00:Very Low Concern Scup 2.00:Medium 5.00:Very Low Concern Spiny dogfish 1.00:High 5.00:Very Low Concern Summer flounder 2.00:Medium 5.00:Very Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern 3.67:Low Concern 5.00:Very Low Concern 5.00:Very Low Concern 5.00:Very Low Concern 5.00:Very Low Concern Green (4.28) Green (4.28) Green (4.28) Green (5.00) Green (5.00) Green (5.00) Green (5.00) BLACK SEA BASS - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Subscore: 5.00 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 5.00 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Scup 2.00:Medium 5.00:Very Low Concern 5.00:Very Low Concern Green (5.00) BLACK SEA BASS - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC - TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED) - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Subscore: 5.00 Discard Rate: 0.95 C2 Rate: 4.75 Species No other main species caught Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore 18

19 The northern stock of BSB is commercially exploited using otter trawl and fish pot/trap gear. Otter trawl gear is nonselective and is used to target a diverse multispecies assemblage, and can, therefore, result in the bycatch of large amounts of unintended species. Most species captured in the otter trawl fishery are retained and most incidental species make up a minor portion of the overall catch. However, the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery has been implicated in having a negative impact on the federally listed loggerhead turtle. The fish pot/trap gear used to capture BSB is fairly selective, often utilizing unbaited traps to capture structure-oriented fish. The commercial fishery in the South Atlantic utilizes fish pot/trap gear to target the southern stock of BSB. As with the Mid-Atlantic trap fishery, the South Atlantic trap fishery is also species specific. When BSB is the target species, it accounts for over 90% of the total landings by weight. Criterion 2 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Inherent Vulnerability (same as Factor 1.1 above) Factor Abundance (same as Factor 1.2 above) Factor Fishing Mortality (same as Factor 1.3 above) LOGGERHEAD TURTLE Factor Inherent Vulnerability High High vulnerability (Seafood Watch criteria document p9). Factor Abundance Very High Concern Loggerhead turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered, depending upon the geographic location of the subpopulation. The Northwest Atlantic distinct population segment (DPS) is considered threatened (NMFS 2012a). Factor Fishing Mortality High Concern Bycatch of loggerhead turtles in both recreational and commercial fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic constitutes a significant threat to their survivability (Conant et al. 2009). Trawl, longline, and gillnet fishing gear are particularly prone to entangling loggerhead turtles, leading to elevated mortality in the population (Conant et al. 2009). The Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery, despite being required to implement turtle excluder 19

20 devices (TEDs), captured an estimated 616 loggerhead turtles per year from 1996 through 2004 (Murray 2008), although most of the loggerhead interactions have been attributed to fishing for summer flounder (Warden 2011) Although the fishery does have management in place, this level of bycatch is a substantial contributor to the cumulative bycatch of loggerhead turtles that is impeding their recovery; therefore, Seafood Watch deems the fishing mortality occurring on loggerhead populations by the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery to be a high concern. Factor Discard Rate 40-60% The discard to landings ratio is 0.42 for the northern bottom trawl fishery (NEFSC 2012a). The Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery targets primarily summer flounder and scup, with BSB occurring as a retained species during the winter months when the BSB are offshore (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994). During the remainder of the year, BSB inhabit shallower coastal waters and dwell mainly in structured habitat, though they still overlap with summer flounder and scup. Due to the inability of trawling gear to exploit fish in highly structured habitat, BSB are exploited mainly through commercial fish pot gear as well as recreational hook and line fisheries (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994)(NEFSC 2004). SCUP Factor Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Medium The FishBase vulnerability score for scup is 38 (Froese and Pauly 2012). For this reason, scup inherent vulnerability is deemed medium. Factor Abundance UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Very Low Concern B/B = 2.02, and NMFS lists scup as not overfished (NMFS 2012b). MSY Factor Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Very Low Concern Fishing mortality in 2010 was F = 0.040, with a 50% probability that F was between and This level of fishing mortality is substantially below the threshold reference point F MSY = F 40% = 0.177, and F /F = (Terceiro 2011) MSY 20

21 Factor Discard Rate 40-60% The discard to landings ratio is 0.42 for the northern bottom trawl fishery (NEFSC 2012a). The Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery targets primarily summer flounder and scup, with BSB occurring as a retained species during the winter months when the BSB are offshore (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994). During the remainder of the year, BSB inhabit shallower coastal waters and dwell mainly in structured habitat, though they still overlap with summer flounder and scup. Due to the inability of trawling gear to exploit fish in highly structured habitat, BSB are exploited mainly through commercial fish pot gear as well as recreational hook and line fisheries (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994)(NEFSC 2004). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA < 20% The discard to landings ratio is 0.13 for the northern stock fish pot/trap fishery (NEFSC 2012a). Due to the inability of trawling gear to exploit fish in highly structured habitat, BSB are exploited mainly through commercial fish pot gear as well as recreational hook and line fisheries (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994)(NEFSC 2004). The BSB fish pot/trap fishery is fairly species-specific, with BSB constituting roughly 96% of the total catch (Eklund and Targett 1991). 21

22 Criterion 3: Management Effectiveness Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of nonretained species (bycatch strategy). The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score 2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern = Red or High Concern Rating is Critical if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ratings are Critical. Criterion 3 Summary Region / Method United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Bottom trawls / United States of America United States of America / Western Central Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America Harvest Strategy Bycatch Strategy Score Green (4.00) Green (3.46) Green (4.00) Management of BSB is considered a low concern by Seafood Watch criteria. Effective management is in place that accounts for the uncertainty associated with the stock, and has maintained or recovered the stock above its established thresholds. Both the northern and southern fish pot/trap fisheries are considered all species retained --not applicable by Seafood Watch criteria with respect to management of non-retained species, as they both have very low bycatch. The otter trawl fishery is classified as moderate concern with respect to its management of bycatch species because of its implementation of bycatch reduction techniques. The effectiveness of these techniques, however, is uncertain. Criterion 3 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Harvest Strategy Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of Concern, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Following of Scientific Advice, Enforcement of Regulations, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ineffective, moderately effective, or highly effective. 5 (Very Low Concern) Rated as highly effective for all seven subfactors considered 4 (Low Concern) Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern rated highly effective and all 22

23 other subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 3 (Moderate Concern) All subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 2 (High Concern) At minimum, meets standards for moderately effective for Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern, but at least one other subfactor rated ineffective. 1 (Very High Concern) Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of Concern rated ineffective. 0 (Critical) No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concern species), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring. Factor 3.1 Summary FACTOR MANAGEMENT OF FISHING IMPACTS ON RETAINED SPECIES Region / Method Strategy Recovery Research Advice Enforce Track Inclusion United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America Highly Effective N/A Moderately Effective Highly Effective Moderately Effective Moderately Effective Highly Effective United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Bottom trawls / United States of America Highly Effective N/A Moderately Effective Highly Effective Moderately Effective Moderately Effective Highly Effective United States of America / Western Central Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America Highly Effective N/A Highly Effective Highly Effective Highly Effective Moderately Effective Highly Effective The MAFMC and ASMFC manage the northern stock of BSB under the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (SFSCBSB FMP). The SFSCBSB FMP controls fishing mortality by setting commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits, size restrictions, and seasonal closures {Kerns 2010}. In addition to the quota system, several gear modification and minimum catch sizes have been implemented through the SFSCBSB FMP {Kerns 2010}. The BSB Monitoring Committee is required to conduct a comprehensive review of the performance of the fishery every five years. The SAFMC manages the southern stock of the BSB under the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (SGFMP). To manage the BSB stock, the SGFMP also employs commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits, in addition to harvest and gear restrictions. Stock assessment data are collected from three commercial and two recreational fleets and from fishery independent surveys {SEDAR 2011}. The commercial fishery was closed early during the harvest season for 4 consecutive years, from 2008/2009 through 2011/2012, due to the commercial quota being met. Commercial landings are routinely exceeded, resulting in deductions from the subsequent year s commercial quota {SEDAR 2011}{Southeast Fishery Bulletin 2011}. Subfactor Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? To achieve a highly effective rating, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species. 23

24 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective BSB are managed under the Summer Flounder, Scup, and BSB Fishery Management Plan (SFSCBSB FMP). The SFSCBSB FMP currently defines overfishing of BSB as fishing in excess of F MSY, which is set to F40% (Kerns 2010). The SFSCBSB FMP controls fishing mortality by setting a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit, size restrictions, and seasonal closures (Kerns 2010). The SFSCBSB FMP also established transferable state-by-state quotas based upon historic catch shares, and developed a mechanism for annual interstate transfer of quota allocations (MAFMC 2002)(MAFMC 2009). The total allowable landings (TAL) is divided between the commercial (49%) and recreational (51%) fisheries. After the TAL is reached, any reported overage by a given state is withheld from that state s allocation in the following year in order to avoid frequent, detrimental overages (SFSCBSB FMP). The commercial and recreational quotas for BSB in 2010 were 1,066 and 830 metric tons, respectively (NEFSC 2012a). The recreational quota was exceeded in In addition to the quota system, several gear modification and minimum catch sizes have been implemented through the SSBFMP (Kerns 2010). Otter trawl gear must have a diamond mesh, with specified minimum mesh sizes and maximum roller diameters. The fish pot/trap gear is required to have escape vents to allow undersized individuals to escape, as well as degradable fasteners that prevent lost traps from ghost fishing (Kerns 2010). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective The BSB fishery, in the South Atlantic Region is managed under the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, which was approved in 1983 to manage snappers, groupers, and related demersal species under the authority of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SEDAR 2011). The original FMP established minimum mesh sizes for trawling and minimum fish sizes. In 1989, Amendment 1 to the Snapper Grouper FMP prohibited the use of trawl gear from Cape Hatteras, NC to Cape Canaveral, FL (SAFMC 1989). The BSB fishery was placed into a rebuilding plan in 1992, which prohibited fish pots, entanglement nets, and longline gear as well as established protocols for permitting and regulations for landed BSB (SEDAR 2011). The establishment of a limited entry program and adjustments to the minimum TL regulations followed in 1998 and Subfactor Recovery of Species of Concern Considerations: When needed, are recovery strategies/management measures in place to rebuild overfished/threatened/ endangered species or to limit fishery s impact on these species and what is their likelihood of success? To achieve a rating of Highly Effective, rebuilding strategies that have a high likelihood of success in an appropriate timeframe must be in place when needed, as well as measures to minimize mortality for any overfished/threatened/endangered species. 24

25 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA N/A The otter trawl fishery targets summer flounder, scup, Loligo squid, and BSB. None of the species are considered species of concern based upon Seafood Watch criteria 1 or 2. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA N/A The fishery targets BSB, which is no longer considered a species of concern. Subfactor Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the health of the population and the fishery s impact on the species? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, population assessments must be conducted regularly and they must be robust enough to reliably determine the population status. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective The SFSCBSB FMP requires the use of vessel trip reporting by commercial fishermen, and states are required to collect dealer reports to determine the commercial landings for BSB (Kerns 2010). The Northeast Fishery Science Center (NEFSC) conducts a weighout program to determine age and length frequencies, and at-sea sampling estimate discard rates, in the commercial catch (Kerns 2010). In addition, fishery-independent surveys are conducted annually by the NEFSC and at the state level (Kerns 2010). Tagging studies tracking the movement of BSB have been completed (Moser and Shepherd 2009). However, annual age information is not available and the statistical-catch-at-age model recently developed for the stock was not accepted by external reviewers (see below). The BSB Monitoring Committee is required to conduct a comprehensive review of the performance of the fishery in relation to the ACL every five years. The BSB Monitoring Committee is charged with setting annual research, commercial, and recreational quotas. The committee also establishes minimum size limits, possession limits, minimum mesh size requirements, escape vent criteria, and recreational season duration. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective Stock assessment data are collected from three commercial and two recreational fleets and fishery independent surveys (SEDAR 2011). Commercial fleet data provides information on annual landings, discard mortality, length and age composition of landings, and annual length of discards for BSB (SEDAR 2011). The Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction Program (MARMAP) provide fishery-independent data relating to the abundance of BSB. 25

26 Subfactor Management Record of Following Scientific Advice Considerations: How often (always, sometimes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scientific recommendations/advice (e.g. do they set catch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effective rating is given if managers nearly always follow scientific advice. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective Beginning in 1991, the BSB fishery stock has been modeled and reviewed by the SARC/SAW process. A Virtual Population Analysis was conducted in 1995, and revised in 1997 and 1998 (Shepherd 2008). From 2002 through 2004, a comprehensive tagging program was implemented to determine if BSB stock status could be assessed accurately (Shepherd 2008). The results of the tag/recapture study were not sufficient to accurately determine stock abundance. To supplement this gap in knowledge, length-based modeling studies, which utilize both fishery-dependent and -independent indices, have continued to the present. In 2011, a benchmark stock assessment was produced using a statistical-catch-at-age model, which was rejected by peer reviewers (the Center of Independent Experts) for management purposes. Instead, the reference points and assessment approved at the Data Poor Species Workshop in 2007 are used (NEFSC 2011a). The Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee is required to consider and account for the various sources of uncertainty when making recommendations for the annual catch targets (ACT) for the BSB. The ACTs must be less than or equal to the established ACT limits for the fishery. The periodicity for determining both the ACT and ACL by the BSB Monitoring Committee is dependent upon the findings and of the Scientific and Statistical Committee of the MAFMC. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective BSB was first assessed under the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) process in This initial assessment was updated in In 2011, the current BSB stock assessment was approved (SEDAR 2011). The southern stock of BSB is modeled using an age-based stock assessment model, which is thought to be more robust than the length-based models used in the northern stock (NEFSC 2011a). The SEFSC and SERO closely monitor the commercial quota and recreational harvest limits established by the SAFMC. Subfactor Enforcement of Management Regulations Considerations: Do fishermen comply with regulations, and how is this monitored? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be regular enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective If either sector-specific ACL is exceeded more than 25% of the time, as determined by the BSB Monitoring Committee, the ACLs must be reviewed to reduce the frequency of overages. Starting in 1997, all vessels 26

27 receiving a permit for BSB were required to submit a vessel trip report upon the completion of each fishing trip (Orphanides and Magnusson 2007). In addition, the MAFMC is empowered to select more frequent reviews of the BSB stock status if it deems there is a risk of BSB overfishing. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective Selected dealers are required to submit commercial landings data in the form of quota monitoring reports. The SEFSC uses these quota reports to project when the quota is expected to be met each year, thus allowing the SERO and NOAA to close the fishery and avoid overages (NMFS 2012c). A logbook reporting system began in the SA snapper grouper fishery in 1992 (SEDAR 2008). The program is not yet electronic, although SAFMC is in the process of considering whether to implement electronic logbook reporting (SAFMC 2012). Commercial observer coverage for the SA snapper grouper fishery is performed by the SEFSC observer program (Poffenberger 2004)(NMFS 2012d). Subfactor Management Track Record Considerations: Does management have a history of successfully maintaining populations at sustainable levels or a history of failing to maintain populations at sustainable levels? A Highly Effective rating is given if measures enacted by management have been shown to result in the long-term maintenance of species overtime. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective Using SSB relative to SSB Target and SSB threshold levels as a proxy for FMP efficacy, it can be seen that early in the FMP implementation process, the BSB stock frequently hovered around the SSB threshold level (Figure 8). Since the 1998 amendment to the FMP, the BSB SSB has increased to a steady plateau at the SSB Target. Justification: 27

28 Figure 6 Figure 8. Displays the projected spawning stock biomass trends through time in relation to the different management thresholds (borrowed from (ASMFC 2012)). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective The commercial fishery was closed early during the harvest season for consecutive years from 2008/2009 through 2011/2012 due to the commercial quota being met. Commercial landings routinely exceed the established quota, resulting in deductions from the subsequent year s quota (SEDAR 2011)(Southeast Fishery Bulletin 2011). Subfactor Stakeholder Inclusion Considerations: Are stakeholders involved/included in the decision-making process? Stakeholders are individuals/groups/organizations that have an interest in the fishery or that may be affected by the management of the fishery (e.g., fishermen, conservation groups, etc.). A Highly Effective rating is given if the management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective Public comment periods are required and the public is encouraged to give feedback pertaining to all proposed management actions. In addition, the Cooperative Tagging Program initiative brings together commercial, recreational, state, and federal entities to develop a deeper understanding of the BSB stock s distributional changes. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Highly Effective The SAFMC welcomes and encourages public comment pertaining to all proposed regulations. Factor Bycatch Strategy SCORING GUIDELINES Four subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy and Implementation, Scientific Research and Monitoring, Record of Following Scientific Advice, and Enforcement of Regulations. Each is rated as ineffective, moderately effective, or highly effective. Unless reason exists to rate Scientific Research and Monitoring, Record of Following Scientific Advice, and Enforcement of Regulations differently, these rating are the same as in (Very Low Concern) Rated as highly effective for all four subfactors considered 4 (Low Concern) Management Strategy rated highly effective and all other subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 3 (Moderate Concern) All subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 2 (High Concern) At minimum, meets standards for moderately effective for Management Strategy but 28

29 some other factors rated ineffective. 1 (Very High Concern) Management exists, but Management Strategy rated ineffective. 0 (Critical) No bycatch management even when overfished, depleted, endangered or threatened species are known to be regular components of bycatch and are substatntially impacted by the fishery FACTOR BYCATCH STRATEGY Region / Method United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Bottom trawls / United States of America United States of America / Western Central Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America All Kept Critical Strategy Research Advice Enforce Yes All Species Retained No No Moderately Effective Yes All Species Retained Moderately Effective Moderately Effective Moderately Effective The fish pot/trap gear of the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic is fairly selective, with BSB constituting 96% and 90%, respectively, of the total landings. Therefore, the fish pot/trap fisheries receive a score of all species retained under the Seafood Watch criteria. The management of the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery on bycatch species is deemed a moderate concern by Seafood Watch criteria because there are measures in place to control its interaction with the threatened loggerhead turtle, though these could be strengthened further. Subfactor Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management strategy/measures are in place to reduce the impacts of the fishery on bycatch species and how successful are these management measures? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, the primary bycatch species must be known and there must be clear goals and measures in place to minimize the impacts on bycatch species (e.g., catch limits, use of proven mitigation measures, etc.). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective The Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery utilizes TEDs to minimize the impact on loggerhead turtle populations (Murray 2008). Title 50 CFR requires Turtle Excluder Device (TED) use in certain areas and times for the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery (NMFS 2011); these devices, while not 100% effective, do successfully reduce turtle bycatch rates (Murray 2008). The areas and seasons requiring TED use presumably are meant to protect the greatest concentrations of sea turtles; for example, the protected area encompasses much of the region where one study predicted the highest interaction rates (Warden 2011). However, as the water warms in the summer and fall, turtles may range farther north (Warden 2011), where they are subject to capture in trawl gear that does not have TEDs installed. NMFS is considering strengthening sea turtle protections by increasing the size of the TED escape opening required in the summer flounder fishery, and expanding the zones where TEDS are required to include more northerly regions of sea turtle occurrence (NMFS 2009a)(Warden 2011). As a result, because the bycatch strategy is somewhat effective but could be improved and because there are continuing concerns with sea turtle bycatch, this strategy is considered moderately effective. 29

30 Subfactor Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: Is bycatch in the fishery recorded/documented and is there adequate monitoring of bycatch to measure fishery s impact on bycatch species? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, assessments must be conducted to determine the impact of the fishery on species of concern, and an adequate bycatch data collection program must be in place to ensure bycatch management goals are being met UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective The otter trawl fishery is deemed moderately effective because there is limited federal observer coverage but no state-sponsored observer programs in the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fisheries that target BSB ( & Sea Turtle Strategy: State Trawl Gear Reports). Observer coverage for Mid-Atlantic otter trawl coverage in 2011 was estimated to be 3.5% in federal waters (Wigley et al. 2011). Subfactor Management Record of Following Scientific Advice Considerations: How often (always, sometimes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scientific recommendations/advice (e.g., do they set catch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effective rating is given if managers nearly always follow scientific advice. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective The otter trawl fishery is considered moderately effective. Amendment 17 to the SFSCBSB FMP established Standard Bycatch Reporting Methodologies (SBRM) for bycatch species (MAFMC 2007). The SBRM in the northeast is designed to determine where observer coverage is necessary to reduce bycatch and verify industry data. Observers in the MA otter trawl fishery also recently started collecting more information about the types of trawl nets and TEDs being used, so this data will enable analysis of whether or not certain gear types affect turtle bycatch rates (NMFS 2011). Subfactor Enforcement of Management Regulations Considerations: Is there a monitoring/enforcement system in place to ensure fishermen follow management regulations and what is the level of fishermen s compliance with regulations? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be consistent enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderately Effective The otter trawl fishery is ranked as moderately effective because there are measures in place to monitor compliance. Starting in 1997, all vessels receiving a permit for BSB were required to submit a vessel trip report upon the completion of each fishing trip (Orphanides and Magnusson 2007). Additionally, there is limited observer coverage for the otter trawl fishery, see Scientific Research & Monitoring section above. 30

31 Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem This Criterion assesses the impact of the fishery on seafloor habitats, and increases that base score if there are measures in place to mitigate any impacts. The fishery s overall impact on the ecosystem and food web and the use of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) principles is also evaluated. Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management aims to consider the interconnections among species and all natural and human stressors on the environment. The final score is the geometric mean of the impact of fishing gear on habitat score (plus the mitigation of gear impacts score) and the Ecosystem Based Fishery Management score. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score 2.2=Red or High Concern Rating cannot be Critical for Criterion 4. Criterion 4 Summary Region / Method Gear Type and Substrate Mitigation of Gear Impacts EBFM Score United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America 2.00: Moderate Concern 0.00: No Effective Mitigation 3.00: Moderate Concern Yellow (2.45) United States of America / Northwest Atlantic / Bottom trawls / United States of America 1.00: High Concern 0.25: Minimal Mitigation 3.00: Moderate Concern Red (1.94) United States of America / Western Central Atlantic / Traps (unspecified) / United States of America 2.00: Moderate Concern 0.25: Minimal Mitigation 3.00: Moderate Concern Yellow (2.60) The otter trawl fisheries, which catch BSB, have the largest impact on bottom habitat because the gear is continuously in contact with the habitat. Spatial closures have been employed in the Mid-Atlantic in an attempt to mitigate the impact of trawling gear on sensitive bottom habitat. The fish pot/trap BSB fisheries have a moderate impact on the substrate because they contact hard bottom habitats as well as potentially live coral habitats, however, they typically impact a much smaller area in relation to the otter trawl gear. The fisheries do not catch exceptional species. Criterion 4 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate 5 (None) - Fishing gear does not contact the bottom 4 (Very Low) - Vertical line gear 3 (Low) Gears that contacts the bottom, but is not dragged along the bottom (e.g. gillnet, bottom longline, 31

32 trap) and is not fished on sensitive habitats. Bottom seine on resilient mud/sand habitats. Midwater trawl that is known to contact bottom occasionally ( 2 (Moderate) Bottom dragging gears (dredge, trawl) fished on resilient mud/sand habitats. Gillnet, trap, or bottom longline fished on sensitive boulder or coral reef habitat. Bottom seine except on mud/sand 1 (High) Hydraulic clam dredge. Dredge or trawl gear fished on moderately sensitive habitats (e.g., cobble or boulder) 0 (Very High) Dredge or trawl fished on biogenic habitat, (e.g., deep-sea corals, eelgrass and maerl) Note: When multiple habitat types are commonly encountered, and/or the habitat classification is uncertain, the score will be based on the most sensitive, plausible habitat type. Factor Mitigation of Gear Impacts +1 (Strong Mitigation) Examples include large proportion of habitat protected from fishing (>50%) with gear, fishing intensity low/limited, gear specifically modified to reduce damage to seafloor and modifications shown to be effective at reducing damage, or an effective combination of moderate mitigation measures (Moderate Mitigation) 20% of habitat protected from fishing with gear or other measures in place to limit fishing effort, fishing intensity, and spatial footprint of damage caused from fishing (Low Mitigation) A few measures are in place (e.g., vulnerable habitats protected but other habitats not protected); there are some limits on fishing effort/intensity, but not actively being reduced 0 (No Mitigation) No effective measures are in place to limit gear impacts on habitats Factor Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management 5 (Very Low Concern) Substantial efforts have been made to protect species ecological roles and ensure fishing practices do not have negative ecological effects (e.g., large proportion of fishery area is protected with marine reserves, and abundance is maintained at sufficient levels to provide food to predators) 4 (Low Concern) Studies are underway to assess the ecological role of species and measures are in place to protect the ecological role of any species that plays an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem. Measures are in place to minimize potentially negative ecological effect if hatchery supplementation or fish aggregating devices (FADs) are used. 3 (Moderate Concern) Fishery does not catch species that play an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem, or if it does, studies are underway to determine how to protect the ecological role of these species, OR negative ecological effects from hatchery supplementation or FADs are possible and management is not place to mitigate these impacts 2 (High Concern) Fishery catches species that play an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem and no efforts are being made to incorporate their ecological role into management. 1 (Very High Concern) Use of hatchery supplementation or fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the fishery is having serious negative ecological or genetic consequences, OR fishery has resulted in trophic cascades or other detrimental impacts to the food web. Factor Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderate Concern BSB are associated with highly structured habitat (NMFS 2007). The traps likely contact areas of livebottom/coral habitat as well as rocky bottom habitat (Shepherd pers. comm. 2012). 32

33 Although the Mid-Atlantic fishing region is dominated by sand with approximately 5% gravel (Stokesbury pers. comm. 2012)(NEFMC 2010), it also includes structured habitats. These include manmade reefs, rocky habitat, and natural reefs that include populations of stony coral Astrangia poculata, gorgonians Leptogorgia virgulata, and other biogenic organisms (Steimle and Zetlin 2000)(Stevenson pers. comm. 2012). BSB are strongly associated with reefs and structured habitat, including hard bottom and areas of live coral (NMFS 2007). Reef habitats in the fishery area are not currently protected. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA High Concern Although the Mid-Atlantic fishing region is dominated by sand with approximately 5% gravel (Stokesbury pers. comm. 2012)(NEFMC 2010), it also includes structured habitats. These include manmade reefs, rocky habitat, and natural reefs that include populations of stony coral Astrangia poculata, gorgonians Leptogorgia virgulata, and other biogenic organisms (Steimle and Zetlin 2000)(Stevenson pers. comm. 2012). BSB are strongly associated with reefs and structured habitat, including hard bottom and areas of live coral (NMFS 2007). Reef habitats in the fishery area are not currently protected. Trawling is less likely to occur in live coral habitats than is trap fishing (Shepherd pers. comm. 2012); however, given the strong habitat associations, there is a risk that trawl fishing for BSB occurs over live coral habitat, as well as rocky reefs. Lacking protections and information to the contrary, the Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl fishery is conservatively deemed to be a high concern when landing BSB. Other target species of the trawl fishery, particularly summer flounder, are associated with and fished over sandy and gravel habitats (Shepherd pers. comm. 2012). Factor Mitigation of Gear Impacts UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA No Effective Mitigation The fish pot/trap fisheries directed at the BSB northern stocks are classified as exhibiting no mitigation, because there are no spatial closures intended to explicitly protect the habitat of northern stock of BSB. Justification: With regard to direct protection of essential fish habitat (EFH), there are restrictions on trawling in approximately 20% of representative habitat in the Mid-Atlantic, but only a portion of this is closed to all mobile fishing gears, with the other areas specifying allowed trawl gear based on mesh size. These protections include the northern and southern scup GRAs, which set a minimum mesh size of 5.0, and the recent closure of four submarine canyons to all trawling in order to protect juvenile and adult tilefish (NOAA 2009). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Minimal Mitigation The otter trawl fishery is classified as having minimal mitigation due to the presence of spatial closures that impact this fishery, but do not cover at least 20% of the habitat. Justification: With regard to direct protection of essential fish habitat (EFH), there are restrictions on trawling in approximately 20% of representative habitat in the Mid-Atlantic, but only a portion of this is closed to all 33

34 mobile fishing gears, with the other areas specifying allowed trawl gear based on mesh size. These protections include the northern and southern scup GRAs, which set a minimum mesh size of 5.0, and the recent closure of four submarine canyons to all trawling in order to protect juvenile and adult tilefish (NOAA 2009). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Minimal Mitigation Spatial closures are in place for the southern stock, with approximately 190,441 square miles under fish pot prohibition and 18,669 square miles of BSB pot prohibition in particular. This is considered minimal mitigation as it does not cover at least 20% of the habitat. Justification: With regard to direct protection of essential fish habitat (EFH), there are restrictions on trawling in approximately 20% of representative habitat in the Mid-Atlantic, but only a portion of this is closed to all mobile fishing gears, with the other areas specifying allowed trawl gear based on mesh size. These protections include the northern and southern scup GRAs, which set a minimum mesh size of 5.0, and the recent closure of four submarine canyons to all trawling in order to protect juvenile and adult tilefish (NOAA 2009). Factor Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / NORTHWEST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC, TRAPS (UNSPECIFIED), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Moderate Concern The fisheries do not catch exceptional species. Outside the development of an EFH document, there have been no efforts to fully assess the impacts of the fisheries on the ecosystem. 34

35 Acknowledgements Scientific review does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program, or its seafood recommendations, on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report. Seafood Watch would like to thank the consulting researcher and author of this report, Nick Przyuski, as well as John Carmichael and three anonymous reviewers for graciously reviewing this report for scientific accuracy. 35

36 References ASMFC Species profile: Black sea bass. Joint management yields rebuilt status for popular mid-atlantic fish. Excerpted from ASMFC Fisheries Focus 18(6). ASMFC Black Sea Bass Life History and Habitat Needs. Conant, T. A., P. H. Dutton, T. Eguchi, S. P. Epperly, C. C. Fahy, M. H. Godfrey, S. L. MacPherson, E. E. Possardt, B. A. Schroeder, J. A. Seminoff, M. A. Snover, C. M. Upite, and B. E. Witherington Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) 2009 Status Review Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Report of the Loggerhead Biological Review Team to the National Marine Fisheries Service. National Marine Fisheries Service. Drohan AF, Manderson JP, Packer DB Essential fish habitat source document: Black sea bass, Centropristis striata, life history and habitat characteristics, 2nd edition. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS NE 200. Eklund, A.M., & Targett, T. E Seasonality of fish catch rates and species composition from the hard bottom trap fishery in the Middle Atlantic Bight (US east coast). Fisheries Research, 12(1), Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. Kerns, T Review of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for the 2009 Black Sea Bass Fishery. MAFMC Amendment 13 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. online at MAFMC Amendment 17 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. online at MAFMC Addendum XX to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. online at McGovern, J. C., Collins, M. R., Pashuk, O., & Meister, H. S Temporal and Spatial Differences in Life History Parameters of Black Sea Bass in the Southeastern United States. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 22(4), Moser, J., and G. R. Shepherd Seasonal Distribution and Movement of Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) in the Northwest Atlantic as Determined from a Mark-Recapture Experiment. J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci., 40: Murray, K. T Estimated average annual bycatch of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in US Mid Atlantic bottom otter trawl gear, (Second Edition). Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. NEFMC Essential fish habitat (EFH) omnibus amendment. The swept area seabed impact (SASI) model: A tool for analyzing the effects of fishing on essential fish habitat. Part 1: literature review and vulnerability assessment. Newburyport, MA. 160 pp. Available at: NEFMC. 2011a Northeast skate complex specifications and supplemental environmental assessment regulatory impact review and initial regulatory flexibility analysis. New England Fishery Management Council, Newburyport, Massachusetts. 36

37 NEFMC. 2011b. Final skate specifications: Adjustments to skate ABC specifications and management measures. New England Fishery Management Council. NEFMC. 2011c. Monkfish FMP Framework 7 Appendix 2: SARC 50 Monkfish Assessment Summary for New England Fishery Management Council. NEFSC th Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (39th SAW) assessment summary report. U.S. Dep. Commer., Northeast Fish. Sci. Cent. Ref. Doc a; 16 p. NEFSC th SAW Assessment Summary Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, MA. NEFSC Assessment of 19 Northeast Groundfish Stocks through 2007: Report of the 3rd Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting (GARM III). Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. NEFSC. 2010a. 49th Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (49th SAW): Assessment Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. NEFSC. 2010b. 50th Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (50th SAW): Assessment Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. NEFSC. 2011a. 53rd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Review Committee November 29-December 2, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Available online at NEFSC. 2011b. 52nd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (52nd SAW): Assesment Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. NEFSC. 2012a. 53rd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (53rd SAW) Assessment Summary Report. US Dept Commer, Northeast Fish Sci Cent Ref Doc ; 33 p. Available from: National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA , or online at NEFSC. 2012b. Assessment or data updates of 13 Northeast groundfish stocks through Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. NEFSC. 2012c. 54th Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (54th SAW) Assessment Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA NMFS Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: BSB, Centropristis striata, Life History and Habitat Characteristics. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-200. Available at 37

38 NMFS. 2009a. Issues and options on the strategy for sea turtle conservation and recovery in relation to U.S. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico fisheries: Scoping document. NMFS. 2009b. Taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations; Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan. in 50 CFR Part 229. NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Federal Register, Vol. 74. NMFS Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 16; Final Rule. Pages 93 in. NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Federal Register, Vol. 75. NMFS U.S. National Bycatch Report. National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce. NMFS. 2012a. Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). NMFS. 2012b. Summary of Stock Status for FSSI/non-FSSI Stocks. NMFS. 2012c. Tracking Commercial Quotas in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. online at NMFS. 2012d. National Observer Program. Accessed March 20, NMFS. 2012e. Framework Adjustment 47 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP; Proposed Rule. Pages 331 in N.O.A.A., editor. New England Fishery Management Council, Federal Register. NMFS 2012f. National Marine Fisheries Service 4th Quarterly Report NMFS. 2012g. Status of U.S. Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries - Office of Sustainable Fisheries. NOAA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish; Amendment 1. in 15 CFR Part 902, 50 CFR Part 648. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Register, Vol. 74. NOAA NE Multispecies Information Sheet - Landing/Possession Limits. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA. 2012a. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF FISHERY PRODUCTS ANNUAL SUMMARY, Personal communication from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics Division, Silver Spring, MD. NOAA. 2012b. NE Multispecies Information Sheet Landing/Possession Limits. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Northeast Data Poor Stocks Working Group. (2007). Monkfish Assessment Report for Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. O'Boyle, R., M. Bell, P. Sullivan, M. K. Trzcinski, and J. Wheeler SARC 50 Panel Summary Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center. 38

39 Orphanides CD, Magnusson GM Characterization of the northeast and Mid-Atlantic bottom and midwater trawl fisheries based on vessel trip report (VTR) data. U.S.Dep.Commer., NortheastFish. Sci. Cent. Ref. Doc.07-15; 127p. Available from: National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA Poffenberger, J A Report on the Discard Data from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center's Coastal Fisheries Logbook Program. Rago, P., and K. Sosebee Update on the Status of Spiny Dogfish in 2011 and Initial Evaluation of Alternative Harvest Strategies. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Countil - Science and Statistical Committee. Roy, E.M., J. M. Quattro & T. W. Greig 2012: Genetic Management of Black Sea Bass: Influence of Biogeographic Barriers on Population Structure, Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science, 4:1, SAFMC South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan Amendment Faber Place Drive, Suite 201 North Charleston, South Carolina SAFMC South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan Amendment 17A Faber Place Drive, Suite 201 North Charleston, South Carolina SAFMC SAFMC Options Paper March Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 3. Seafood Handbook. (2012). SEDAR SEDAR 17- Stock Assessment Report- South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper. in SEDAR, editor. VS SAR 2.pdf?id=DOCUMENT. SEDAR Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review. Stock Assessment for South Atlantic Black Sea Bass. SEDAR 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201 North Charleston, SC SEDAR Stock Assessment of Black Sea Bass of the Southeastern United States. SEDAR Update Assessment. id=document Shepherd, G. (2008). Black Sea Bass. NEFSC Data Poor Working Group Meeting. Woods Hole, MA. Shepherd GR. (2009). Black Sea Bass 2009 Stock Assessment Update. US Dept Com- mer, Northeast Fish Sci Cent Ref Doc ; 30 p. Available from: National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA , or online at Shepherd, G.R. and J. Nieland Black Sea Bass 2010 Stock Assessment Update. NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Population Dynamics Branch, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole MA Shepherd G.R. and M. Terceiro. (1994). The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery of the Middle Atlantic Bight and Southern New England Waters. NOAA Technical Report NMFS 122 A Technical Report of the Fishery Bulletin. Shepherd, Gary Personal communication with Robin Pelc, December 20, NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Sosebee, K Status of Fishery Resources off the Northeastern US: Skates. Northeast Fisheries Science 39

40 Center, NOAA. Southeast Fishery Bulletin Commercial Harvest of Black Sea Bass Closing to Vessels in the South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 15, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida Steimle, F.W. and C. Zetlin Reef Habitats in the Middle Atlantic Bight: Abundance, Distribution, Associated Biological Communities, and Fishery Resource Use. Marine Fisheries Review 62(2): Stevenson, David Personal communication with Robin Pelc, December 19, Marine Habitat Resource Specialist, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. Terceiro, M Stock Assessment of Scup for Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Trzcinski, M. K Reviewer Report to the Center for Independent Experts on the Monkfish, Sea Scallops, and Pollock Benchmark Stock Assessment Review (SARC50) held June 1-5, 2010 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Vaughan, D.S., M.R. Collins, J.C. McGovern, and H.S. Meister Evaluation of multiple survey indices in assessment of black sea bass from the U.S. south Atlantic coast. International Symposium on Fishery Stock Assessment Models for the 21st Century: Combining Multiple Information Sources. Alaska Sea Grant College Program.98-01: Warden, M.L Proration of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) interactions in U.S. mid-atlantic bottom otter trawls for fish and scallops, , by managed species landed. US Dept Comm. Northeast Fish Sci Cent Ref Doc ; 8 p. Wenner, C.A., W.A. Roumillat and C.W. Waltz Contributions to the life history of black sea bass, Centropristis striata, off the southeastern United States. Fish. Bull. 89: Wigley, S. E., J. Blaylock, P. J. Rago, J. Tang, H. L. Haas, and G. Shield Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology 3-year review report Part 1. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 40

41 Appendix A: Extra By Catch Species WINTER SKATE Factor Inherent Vulnerability High Winter Skate (Leucoraja ocellata) 62 (High)(Froese and Pauly 2012). Factor Abundance Very Low Concern B/B = 1.72, and NMFS lists winter skate as not overfished (NMFS 2012b). MSY Justification: Biomass reference points are based entirely on NEFSC survey data since reliable landings and discard information are not available by species (Figure 6). For winter skate the B MSY proxy is defined as the 75 th percentile of the appropriate survey biomass index time series. Factor Fishing Mortality Low Concern The NEFSC autumn survey biomass index average of 3.34 kg/tow was more than 20% below the average of 4.34 kg/tow, so NNMFS considered overfishing to be occurring for winter skate in 2007 (NEFSC 2007). However, preliminary survey results for increased 18% from the average of 8.18 kg/tow to 9.64 kg/tow (NEFMC 2011a). In the fourth quarter of 2011, NMFS classified winter skate as not experiencing overfishing (NMFS 2012b). Justification: The fishing mortality reference points for skates are based on changes in survey biomass indices. If the threeyear moving average of the survey biomass index for a skate species declines by more than the average Coefficient of variance (CV) of the survey time series, then fishing mortality is assumed to be greater than F and overfishing is occurring for that skate species (Sosebee 2006). MSY Factor Discard Rate 40-60% The discard to landings ratio is 0.42 for the northern bottom trawl fishery (NEFSC 2012a). The Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery targets primarily summer flounder and scup, with BSB occurring as a retained species during the winter months when the BSB are offshore (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994). During the remainder of the year, BSB inhabit shallower coastal waters and dwell mainly in structured habitat, though they still overlap 41

42 with summer flounder and scup. Due to the inability of trawling gear to exploit fish in highly structured habitat, BSB are exploited mainly through commercial fish pot gear as well as recreational hook and line fisheries (Shepherd and Terceiro 1994)(NEFSC 2004). BARNDOOR SKATE Factor Inherent Vulnerability High Barndoor Skate (Dipturus laevis) 77 (High)(Froese and Pauly 2012). Factor Abundance Low Concern B/B = 0.69, and NMFS lists barndoor skate as not overfished, but rebuilding (NMFS 2012b). MSY Justification: Biomass reference points are based entirely on NEFSC survey data since reliable landings and discard information are not available by species (Figure 6). For barndoor skate, the B MSY proxy is the average of autumn survey biomass indices since the survey did not catch barndoor for a protracted period (Sosebee 2006). 42

43 Figure 7 Figure 6. NEFSC survey biomass indices (kg/tow)(nefmc 2011b). The blue horizontal line represents biomass target, and red represents limit biomass; 3-year moving average is plotted as a thick dark line. Factor Fishing Mortality Low Concern Since the average survey biomass index of 0.96 kg/tow was higher than the previous 3-year average index ( ) of 0.88, overfishing was not occurring in 2006 (NEFSC 2007). Furthermore, in the fourth quarter of 2011, barndoor skate was not considered to be experiencing overfishing (NMFS 2012b). The species is currently in year 9 of its rebuilding plan, but the exact rebuilding time period is unspecified in the Northeast Skate Complex FMP. Based on the long-lived, late maturing, and low fecundity nature of this species, rebuilding may take decades (NMFS 2012b). Annual catch limits prevent fishing from increasing to unsustainable levels, and all landings of barndoor skates are prohibited (NEFMC 2011a). Justification: The fishing mortality reference points for skates are based on changes in survey biomass indices. If the threeyear moving average of the survey biomass index for a skate species declines by more than the average Coefficient of variance (CV) of the survey time series, then fishing mortality is assumed to be greater than F and overfishing is occurring for that skate species (Sosebee 2006). MSY 43