GAG GROUPER U.S. Mycteroperca microlepis. Sometimes known as Gag, Velvet Rockfish, Charcoal Belly SUMMARY

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1 GAG GROUPER U.S. Mycteroperca microlepis Sometimes known as Gag, Velvet Rockfish, Charcoal Belly SUMMARY In US waters, Gag Grouper are found in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions, being moderately abundant along the Atlantic coast but overfished in the Gulf. Similar to other grouper species, Gag Grouper are protogynous hermaphrodites beginning their lives as females and becoming males as they grow larger. Females typically mature after three years and transition to males by 11 years of age. They are primarily caught with handlines, which causes minimal impact to the seafloor and results in moderate levels of bycatch. Criterion Points Final Score Color Life History Abundance Habitat Quality and Fishing Gear Impacts Management 2.50 Bycatch 2.00 Final Score 2.00 Color

2 LIFE HISTORY Core Points (only one selection allowed) If a value for intrinsic rate of increase ( r ) is known, assign the score below based on this value. If no r-value is available, assign the score below for the correct age at 50% maturity for females if specified, or for the correct value of growth rate ('k'). If no estimates of r, age at 50% maturity, or k are available, assign the score below based on maximum age Intrinsic rate of increase <0.05; OR age at 50% maturity >10 years; OR growth rate <0.15; OR maximum age >30 years Intrinsic rate of increase = ; OR age at 50% maturity = 5-10 years; OR a growth rate = ; OR maximum age = years. Growth rates of Gag Grouper are slightly higher in the U.S. South Atlantic region, ranging from 0.18 to 0.25 (Reichert and Wyanski 2006), than in the Gulf of Mexico, estimated at k=0.14 (Lombaridi-Carlson et al. 2006). In the South Atlantic region, Gag Grouper grow faster south of 280 N latitude (near Clearwater Beach Florida) than fish living further north (Lombardi-Carlson et al. 2006). There is also evidence that different growth rates occur between fisheries, with k=0.09 for the handline fishery and k=0.13 for the longline fishery (Turner et al. 2001) in the Gulf of Mexico. Female Gag Grouper mature by 3-4 years of age and transition to male by around 11 years of age (McGovern et al. 1998; Reichert and Wyanski 2006; Fitzhugh et al. 2006). The maximum age of Gag Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico is 31 years (Lombardi-Carlson et al. 2006) but 26 years in the South Atlantic region (Harris and Collins 2000) Intrinsic rate of increase >0.16; OR age at 50% maturity = 1-5 years; OR growth rate >0.30; OR maximum age <11 years. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) Species has special behaviors that make it especially vulnerable to fishing pressure (e.g., spawning aggregations; site fidelity; segregation by sex; migratory bottlenecks; unusual attraction to gear; etc.). Juvenile Gag Grouper show high site fidelity with movements of only a few kilometers (SEDAR 2006), making them susceptible to overfishing (Heemstra and Randall 1993). Some evidence also suggests that older Gag Grouper residing in the spawning habitats exhibit high site fidelity (Coleman et al. 1996). Additionally, Gag Grouper are known to gather in large aggregations to spawn (Coleman et al. 1996), which can make them susceptible to fishing.

3 -0.25 Species has a strategy for sexual development that makes it especially vulnerable to fishing pressure (e.g., age at 50% maturity >20 years; sequential hermaphrodites; extremely low fecundity). Gag Grouper are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning their lives as females and becoming males as they grow larger (Heemstra and Randall 1993). This hermaphroditic behavior naturally skews the sex ratio of Gag Grouper to 5:1 (female to male) (Koenig et al.), although increased fishing pressure has lead to an increase in the female to male ratio (30:1) (Chapman et al. 1999). It has been suggested that spawning creates social cues causing females to transition to males, improving the sex ratio (Miller 2007). In the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, Gag Grouper spawn off the west-central coast of Florida in the Florida Middle Grounds (SEDAR 2006). Spawning occurs during late winter and early spring and peaks in February and March (McErlean 1963; Hood and Schlieder 1992; Coleman et al. 1996; Collins et al. 1997). In the South Atlantic, Gag Grouper spawn from the middle of January to early May and individuals spawn every 2½ days for an estimated 38 spawning events per female per season (Reichert and Wyanski 2006). Spawning lasts for around 91 days and the average spawning frequency is around 4 days (Fitzhugh et al. 2006). The number of eggs released by a spawning female during a spawning event increases with age and ranges from 60 thousand to 1.7 million eggs per batch (Fitzhugh et al. 2006) Species has a small or restricted range (e.g., endemism; numerous evolutionarily significant units; restricted to one coastline; e.g., American lobster; striped bass; endemic reef fishes). Gag Grouper are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and U.S. South Atlantic and are typically found at depths of m (Heemstra and Randall 1993). While Gag Grouper are managed separately in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, current genetic evidence cannot determine whether there is one large or two smaller populations (Cushman et al. 2009). We consider this a medium range and have therefore not subtracted any points Species exhibits high natural population variability driven by broad-scale environmental change (e.g. El Nino; decadal oscillations) Species does not have special behaviors that increase ease or population consequences of capture OR has special behaviors that make it less vulnerable to fishing pressure (e.g., species is widely dispersed during spawning) Species has a strategy for sexual development that makes it especially resilient to fishing pressure (e.g., age at 50% maturity <1 year; extremely high fecundity) Species is distributed over a very wide range (e.g., throughout an entire hemisphere or ocean basin; e.g., swordfish; tuna; Patagonian toothfish).

4 +0.25 Species does not exhibit high natural population variability driven by broad-scale environmental change (e.g., El Nino; decadal oscillations) Points for Life History ABUNDANCE Core Points (only one selection allowed) Compared to natural or un-fished level, the species population is: 1.00 Low: Abundance or biomass is <75% of BMSY or similar proxy (e.g., spawning potential ratio). Gag Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished and undergoing overfishing (SEDAR 2009). The spawning stock biomass in 2008 ranged from 47-56% of the minimum stock size threshold and the fishing mortality in 2008 ranged from % of the maximum fishing mortality threshold (SEDAR 2009). Overfishing of Gag Grouper is also occurring in the South Atlantic (SEDAR 2006). The fishing mortality in 2004 was between 131% and 146% of the management target rate (SEDAR 2006). The population is not overfished and the spawning stock biomass in 2005 was estimated to be between 106% and 110% of the target reference point (SEDAR 2006). Although abundance of Gag Grouper is higher in the South Atlantic, a score of 1 was awarded to reflect that overfishing is occurring in both regions and their low abundance in Gulf waters Medium: Abundance or biomass is % of BMSY or similar proxy; OR population is approaching or recovering from an overfished condition; OR adequate information on abundance or biomass is not available High: Abundance or biomass is >125% of BMSY or similar proxy. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) The population is declining over a generational time scale (as indicated by biomass estimates or standardized CPUE). The abundance of Gag Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico has decreased since 2005 (SEDAR 2009). In contrast, the abundance of Gag Grouper caught by handline gear in the South Atlantic region was relatively stable from 1992 to 2002 and increased slightly in 2003

5 and 2004 (SEDAR 2006). Because of these differences between regions, no points were subtracted Age, size or sex distribution is skewed relative to the natural condition (e.g., truncated size/age structure or anomalous sex distribution). The hermaphroditic behavior of Gag Grouper naturally skews the sex ratio of Gag Grouper to 5:1 (female to male) (Koenig et al. 1999). However, over the past few decades the female to male sex ratio has changed from 8:1 to 30:1 in response to increased fishing pressure (Chapman et al. 1999), thus points were subtracted Species is listed as "overfished" OR species is listed as "depleted", "endangered", or "threatened" by recognized national or international bodies. Gag Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are considered overfished (SEDAR 2009). As of the latest population assessment in 2006, Gag Grouper in the South Atlantic were considered to be undergoing overfishing but were not overfished (SEDAR 2006) Current levels of abundance are likely to jeopardize the availability of food for other species or cause substantial change in the structure of the associated food web The population is increasing over a generational time scale (as indicated by biomass estimates or standardized CPUE) Age, size or sex distribution is functionally normal Species is close to virgin biomass Current levels of abundance provide adequate food for other predators or are not known to affect the structure of the associated food web Points for Abundance

6 HABITAT QUALITY AND FISHING GEAR IMPACTS Core Points (only one selection allowed) Select the option that most accurately describes the effect of the fishing method upon the habitat that it affects 1.00 The fishing method causes great damage to physical and biogenic habitats (e.g., cyanide; blasting; bottom trawling; dredging) The fishing method does moderate damage to physical and biogenic habitats (e.g., bottom gillnets; traps and pots; bottom longlines) The fishing method does little damage to physical or biogenic habitats (e.g., hand picking; hand raking; hook and line; pelagic long lines; mid-water trawl or gillnet; purse seines). In the Gulf of Mexico, handlines, typically consisting of 10 or less hooks and six or less lines (McCarthy 2006) catch most Gag Grouper, followed by bottom longlines (SEDAR 2006). In the U.S. South Atlantic region, handlines catch the majority of Gag Grouper but landings from SCUBA divers have been significant in recent years (SEDAR 2006). In 2003, Gag Grouper represented 25% (by weight) of all groupers landed in the U.S. South Atlantic (Reichert and Wyanski 2006). Because most Gag Grouper are caught using handlines, which typically have a low impact on habitat (Morgan and Chuenpagdee 2003), a score of 3 was awarded. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) Habitat for this species is so compromised from non-fishery impacts that the ability of the habitat to support this species is substantially reduced (e.g., dams; pollution; coastal development) Critical habitat areas (e.g., spawning areas) for this species are not protected by management using time/area closures, marine reserves, etc No efforts are being made to minimize damage from existing gear types OR new or modified gear is increasing habitat damage (e.g., fitting trawls with roller rigs or rockhopping gear; more robust gear for deep-sea fisheries) If gear impacts are substantial, resilience of affected habitats is very slow (e.g., deep water corals; rocky bottoms).

7 +0.25 Habitat for this species remains robust and viable and is capable of supporting this species. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for snappers and groupers in the South Atlantic includes coral reefs, live/hard bottom, submerged aquatic vegetation, artificial reefs and medium/high profile outcroppings from shore to 183 m (SAFMC 2009). EFH also includes spawning areas, the Gulf Stream and areas inshore of 30 m (SAFMC 2009). Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (EFH-HAPC s) include spawning areas (SAFMC 2009). Gag Grouper are typically found in sponge and coral habitats and around rocky outcrops and ledges (McGovern et al. 1998; Harris and Collins 2000). Juveniles inhabit estuaries from Virginia to northeastern Gulf of Mexico (Hoese et al. 1961; Hood and Schlieder 1992; Koenig and Coleman 1998) and are found along shallow seagrass beds, oystershell habitats, seawall, jetties and mangrove shorelines (Hasting 1979; Bullock and Smith 1991; Mullaney and Gale 1996; Koenig and Coleman 1998; Casey et al. 2006). In North Carolina estuaries, juveniles are typically found between April and September (Ross and Moser 1995). There is no indication as to whether this habitat is robust and viable, we have therefore elected to neither add nor subtract any points Critical habitat areas (e.g., spawning areas) for this species are protected by management using time/area closures, marine reserves, etc. There is a permanent closure for longline and buoy gear inshore of 20 fathoms off the Florida shelf and inshore of 50 fathoms throughout the rest of the Gulf of Mexico (GMFMC 2009). There is a seasonal closure to all gear, expect surface trolling, from May through October in the Madison/Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Reserves and the North and South Tortugas Marine Reserve is a no-take reserve (GMFMC 2009). Bottom longlines, buoy gear, and traps/pots are prohibited in the East West Flower Garden Banks, McGrail Bank, Stetson Bank, and Pulley Ridge and bottom fishing is prohibited in the Florida Middle Grounds (GMFMC 2009). The Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Fishery Reserves were enacted in order to protect spawning aggregations of Gag Grouper (GMFMC 1999) and there is also a seasonal closure of the Edges that protects spawning Gag Grouper from January to May (GMFMC 2008a). In the South Atlantic region, the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (SAFMC 1993 and 2003) and 8 deepwater Marine Protected Areas (SAFMC 2008) are closed to fishing for grouper. In 2010 a spawning seasonal closure for Gag Grouper from January through April was instituted (SAFMC 2009).

8 +0.25 Gear innovations are being implemented over a majority of the fishing area to minimize damage from gear types OR no innovations necessary because gear effects are minimal. Gear impacts of handlines (main fishing method) are minimal and thus innovations are not necessary If gear impacts are substantial, resilience of affected habitats is fast (e.g., mud or sandy bottoms) OR gear effects are minimal Points for Habitat Quality and Fishing Gear Impacts MANAGEMENT Core Points (only one selection allowed) Select the option that most accurately describes the current management of the fisheries of this species Regulations are ineffective (e.g., illegal fishing or overfishing is occurring) OR the fishery is unregulated (i.e., no control rules are in effect) Management measures are in place over a major portion over the species' range but implementation has not met conservation goals OR management measures are in place but have not been in place long enough to determine if they are likely to achieve conservation and sustainability goals. Gag Grouper in the U.S. are managed as two separate units by the South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils (SEDAR 2006). Gag Grouper have been estimated to represent around 30% of the shallow-water grouper landings in the Gulf of Mexico (Schirripa and Legault 1997; Turner et al. 2001) and are managed through the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan, which includes the following management measures: size limits, quotas, seasonal closures, gear restrictions, trip limits, individual fishing quotas, fishery observers and required use of bycatch release gear for sea turtles (GMFMC 2008b). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper and Grouper fishery includes the following management measures: gear restrictions, designated Special Management Zones (SMZ) (SAFMC 1983), prohibited fishing in SMA s (SAFMC 1986), area closures for trawl gear (SAFMC 1988), commercial quotas and trip limits (SAFMC 1992), prohibition on certain gear in specific areas, size limits (SAFMC 1991), dealer permits, (SAFMC 1994), limited entry permit (SAFMC 1998) plans to monitor bycatch and reduce hooking of sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish

9 (SAFMC 2008), deepwater marine protected areas (SAFMC 2007) use of venting and dehooking devices to prevent discard mortality for Gag and other grouper/snapper species and seasonal closures (SAFMC 2009) Substantial management measures are in place over a large portion of the species range and have demonstrated success in achieving conservation and sustainability goals. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) There is inadequate scientific monitoring of stock status, catch or fishing effort Management does not explicitly address fishery effects on habitat, food webs, and ecosystems This species is overfished and no recovery plan or an ineffective recovery plan is in place Management has failed to reduce excess capacity in this fishery or implements subsidies that result in excess capacity in this fishery There is adequate scientific monitoring, analysis and interpretation of stock status, catch and fishing effort Management explicitly and effectively addresses fishery effects on habitat, food webs, and ecosystems. Managers assess the impact various management measures have on the physical and biological environments (GMFMC 2008b, 2009; SAFMC 2009) This species is overfished and there is a recovery plan (including benchmarks, timetables and methods to evaluate success) in place that is showing signs of success OR recovery plan is not needed. Gag Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are considered overfished and there is a recovery plan currently under development (GMFMC 2010). Gag Grouper in the South Atlantic are not overfished but are undergoing overfishing (SEDAR 2006). As such, new management measures have been enacted to reduce fishing mortality of Gag Grouper (SAFMC 2009). Because these measures are new and have not yet shown success, no points were added.

10 +0.25 Management has taken action to control excess capacity or reduce subsidies that result in excess capacity OR no measures are necessary because fishery is not overcapitalized. The Gulf of Mexico grouper fishery did become overcapitalized, but managers have attempted to reduce effort in this fishery by implementing an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program (GMFMC 2008b). It is thought an IFQ program will not only decrease overcapitalization but also lengthen the fishing season and lower operating costs (GMFMC 2008b). Additionally, 61% of the allowable Gag Grouper harvest has been allocated to the recreational fishery, which should also help limit input/effort control (Anonymous 2010). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council uses a limited entry permit system, in which new entrants to the fishery must purchase two permits and retire one, in order to reduce excess capacity (SAFMC 1997) Points for Management BYCATCH Core Points (only one selection allowed) Select the option that most accurately describes the current level of bycatch and the consequences that result from fishing this species. The term, "bycatch" used in this document excludes incidental catch of a species for which an adequate management framework exists. The terms, "endangered, threatened, or protected," used in this document refer to species status that is determined by national legislation such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (or another nation's equivalent), the IUCN Red List, or a credible scientific body such as the American Fisheries Society Bycatch in this fishery is high (>100% of targeted landings), OR regularly includes a "threatened, endangered or protected species." 2.00 Bycatch in this fishery is moderate (10-99% of targeted landings) AND does not regularly include "threatened, endangered or protected species" OR level of bycatch is unknown. The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fishery is considered a Category III (annual mortality and serious injury of a marine mammal stock resulting from the fishery is less than or equal to 1% of the potential biological removal) fishery under the 2010 Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries, with no documented interactions (74 FR 58859). Fisheries observers in the Gulf of Mexico observed 18 incidental captures of sea turtles in

11 the bottom longline reef fish fishery between 2006 and 2007 and based on these observed interactions, it was estimated that a total of 974 interactions with sea turtles (433 released alive, 325 dead and 216 unknown status) occurred in the Gulf of Mexico during this time period (NMFS 2008). Smalltooth sawfish interactions with the bottom longline reef fishery (8) have also been documented but did not result in mortality (NMFS 2005). There were no observed interactions with protected species in any other gear used to capture reef fish such as groupers from 2006 to 2007 (NMFS 2008). In the South Atlantic region, sea turtles and sawfish are considered vulnerable to both hook-and-line gear and bottom longlines (NMFS 2006). The 2006 biological opinion conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service determined that the South Atlantic snapper grouper fishery would not adversely affect Northern right whale critical habitat, marine mammals or sea turtles but would adversely affect sea turtles and sawfish (NMFS 2006). It was estimated that over a three-year period close to 300 sea turtles (107 fatal) and 8 smalltooth sawfish were incidentally taken by the snapper grouper fishery (SAFMC 2008). However, there are no known interactions between the South Atlantic snapper grouper fishery and marine mammals (SAFMC 2009) Bycatch in this fishery is low (<10% of targeted landings) and does not regularly include "threatened, endangered or protected species." Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) Bycatch in this fishery is a contributing factor to the decline of "threatened, endangered, or protected species" and no effective measures are being taken to reduce it Bycatch of targeted or non-targeted species (e.g., undersize individuals) in this fishery is high and no measures are being taken to reduce it Bycatch of this species (e.g., undersize individuals) in other fisheries is high OR bycatch of this species in other fisheries inhibits its recovery, and no measures are being taken to reduce it The continued removal of the bycatch species contributes to its decline Measures taken over a major portion of the species range have been shown to reduce bycatch of "threatened, endangered, or protected species" or bycatch rates are no longer deemed to affect the abundance of the "protected" bycatch species OR no measures needed because fishery is highly selective (e.g., harpoon; spear). In the Gulf of Mexico bottom longline fishery, the estimated number of sea turtle interactions from 2006 to 2007 exceeded the take levels provided in the 2005 Biological Opinion (GMFMC 2009). Due to this, it is thought the new Biological Opinion could result in a jeopardy opinion if no actions are taken to reduce byacth of sea turtles in this fishery (GMFMC 2009). Therefore new management measures including seasonal

12 closures, a reduction in fishing effort and fishing gear restrictions limiting the number of hooks, aimed at reducing fishing effort by 48-67%, have recently been put into place (GMFMC 2009). No points were added because these measures are recent and success has not yet been documented There is bycatch of targeted (e.g., undersize individuals) or non-targeted species in this fishery and measures (e.g., gear modifications) have been implemented that have been shown to reduce bycatch over a large portion of the species range OR no measures are needed because fishery is highly selective (e.g., harpoon; spear) Bycatch of this species in other fisheries is low OR bycatch of this species in other fisheries inhibits its recovery, but effective measures are being taken to reduce it over a large portion of the range. As of 2011 new catch limits will be imposed on the Gulf of Mexico grouper fishery and these will reduce the amount of Gag Grouper allowed to be caught. It has been estimated that this reduction could result in 67% of Gag Grouper being discarded dead (GMFMC 2010). Currently the National Marine Fisheries Service and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council are trying to figure out ways to reduce the amount of Gag Grouper being caught in the fishery (GMFMC 2010). Such measures could include: time/area closures, electronic/video monitoring, set aside some of quota for bycatch and/or reduce the size limits (GMFMC 2010). Until the success of this management measure is determined, no points will be added at this stage The continued removal of the bycatch species in the targeted fishery has had or will likely have little or no impact on populations of the bycatch species OR there are no significant bycatch concerns because the fishery is highly selective (e.g., harpoon; spear) Points for Bycatch

13 REFERENCES Anonymous Reviewer Gag Grouper report. Bullock, L.H. and Smith, G.B Seabasses (Pisces: Serranidae) memoirs of the hourglass cruises. Vol. 8 part 2. Florida Marine Research Institute, Department of Natural Resources, St. Petersburg, FL USA. Casey, J.P., Poulakis, G.R. and Stevens, P.W Habitat use by juvenile gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) in subtropical Charlotte Harbor Florida (USA). SEDAR 10 DW p. Cass-Calay, S.L. and M. Bahnick Status of the yellowedge grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Sustainable Fisheries Division Contribution No. SFD-02/ Chapman, R., Sedberry, W., Sedberry, G., Koenig, C. and Elby, B.M Stock identification of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, along the southeast coast of the United States. Marine biotechnology 1: Coleman, f.c., Koenig, C.C. and Collins, L.A Reproductive styles of shallow-water groupers (Pisces: Serranidae) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the consequences of fishing spawning aggregations. Environmental Biology of Fishes 47: Collins, A.L., Johnson, A.G., Koenig, C.C. and Baker, M.S.Jr Reproductive patterns, sex ratio, and fecundity in gag, Mycteroperca microlepis (Serranidae), a protogynous grouper from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Fisheries Bulletin 96: Cushman, E.L., Jue, N.K., Strand, A.E. and Sotka, E.E Evaluating the demographic significant of genetic homogeneity using a coalescent-based simulate: a case study with gag (Mycteroperca microlepis). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 66: Fitzhugh, G.R., Lyon, H.M., Collins, L.A., Walling, W.T., Lombardi-Carlson, L.A Update of gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) reproductive parameters: Eastern Gulf of Mexico, SEDAR 10 data workshop. Panama City Laboratory Contribution 05-06, SEDAR 10 DW pp. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) Regulatory amendment to the reef fish fishery management plan to set 1999 gag/black grouper management measures (revised). Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, Tampa, FL. 84 p. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC). 2008a. amendment 30B to the reef fish management plan. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, Tampa, FL. 462 p. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC). 2008b. Amendment 29 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (including final environmental impact statement and regulatory

14 impact review): Effort management in the commercial grouper and tilefish fisheries. Tampa, FL. 312 pp. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) Final Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for reef fish resources in the Gulf of Mexico (revised), addresses bycatch of sea turtles in the bottom longline component of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery (includes revised draft environmental impact statement and regulatory impact review). Tampa, FL. 287 pp. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) Scoping document for Reef Fish Amendment 32 to set 2011 red grouper and gag annual catch limits and establish a gag rebuilding plan. Tampa, FL. 32 p. Harris, P.J. and Collins, M.R Age, growth and age at maturity of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, from the southeastern United States during Bulletin of Marine Science 66: Hastings, R.W The origin and seasonality of the fish fauna on a new jetty in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Science 24: Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, FAO species catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world. (Family Serranidae, Subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date.. FAO Fish. Synops. No. 125, Vol , fig. 251, pl. 8a Hood, P.B. and Schlieder, R.A Age, growth, and reproduction of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis (Pisces: Serranidae), in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Bulletin of Marine Science 51: Hoese, H.D., Richards, C.E. and Castagna, M Appearance of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, in and from St. Andrew Bay, Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 64: Hoese, H.D. and Moore, R.H Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and adjacent waters. College Station: Texas A&M University Press. Huntsman, G.R. and W.E. Schaaf Simulation of the impact of fishing on reproduction of a protogynous grouper, the graysby. N. Am. J. Fsih. Managmt. 14: Koenig, C.C., Chapman, R.W., Collins, M.R., Harris, P., McGovern, J., Sedberry, G.R., Wyanski, D.M The effects of shelf-edge fishing on the demographics of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, population of the southeastern United States. Pp Lindberg, W.J., Frazer, T.K., Portier, K.M., Vose, F., Loftin, J., Murie, D.J., Mason, D.M., Nagy, B. and Hart, M.K Density-dependent habitat selection and performance by a large mobile reef fish. Ecological Applications 16:

15 Lombardi-Carlson, L.A., Fitzhugh, G.R., Fable, B.A., Ortiz, M. and Gardner, C Age, length and growth of gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico: Panama City Laboratory Contribution 06-03, SEDAR 10-DW pp. McCarthy, K Calculated gag grouper discards by vessels with federal permits in the Gulf of Mexico. Sustainable Fisheries Division Contribution SFD SEDAR 10-DW11. 8 p. McErlean, A.J A study of the age and growth of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis Goode and Bean (Pisces: Serranidae) on the west coast of Florida. Florida Board of Conservation Marin Laboratory Technical Series 41:1-29. McGovern, J.C., Wyanski, D.M., Pashuk, O., Manooch II, C.S. and Sedberry, G.R Changes in the sex ratio and size at maturity of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, from the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States during Fishery Bulletin 96: McGovern, J.C., Sedberry, G.R., Meister, H.S., Westendorff, T.M., Wyanski, D.M. and Harris, P.J A tag and recapture study of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, off the southeastern U.S. Bulletin of Marine Science 76: Moe, M.A Tagging fishes in Florida offshore waters. Florida Board Conservation Marine Laboratory Technical Series. 49:1-40. Morgan, LE. And Chuenpagdee, R Shifting gears: addressing the collateral impacts of fishing methods in US waters. Pew Science Series. Washington D.C., Island Press. Mullaney, M.D. and Galey, L.D Ecomorpholgical relationships in ontogeny: anatomy and diet of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis (Pisces: Serranidae). Copeia 1996: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Endangered Species Act- Section 7 consultation on the continued authorization of reef fish fishing under the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan and proposed Amendment 23. Biological Opinion, February pp. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Endangered Species Act section 7 consultation on the continued authorization of snapper grouper fishing under the South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (RFFMP) and proposed Amendment 13C. Biological Opinion. June 7, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Estimated takes of sea turtles in the bottom longline portion of the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery July 2006 through 2007 based on observer data. NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center Contribution PRD-07/ pp. Overton, A.S. and Zabawski, J Release mortality of undersized fish from the snapper/grouper complex off the North Carolina coast. NC Sea Grant 03-FEG-21.

16 Reichert, M.J.M. and Wyanski, D.M Analytical report on the age, growth and reproductive biology of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis from the southeastern United States, SEDAR 10-DW p. Ross, S.W. and Moser, M.L Life history of juvenile gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, in North Carolina estuaries. Bulletin of Marine Science 56: Rudershausen, P.J., Buckele, J.A. and Williams, H Discard composition and release fate in the snapper and grouper commercial hook-and-line fishery in North Carolina, USA. Fisheries Management and Ecology 14: Schirripa, M.J. and Legault, C.M Status of gag stocks of the Gulf of Mexico: Assessment 2.0. NMFS/SEFSC/SFD Miami, Fl. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Fishery Management Plan, Regulatory Impact Review and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Regulatory Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 1 and Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review to the Fishery Management Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 4, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Environmental Assessment for the Fishery Manaagement Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. 200 pp. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Regulatory Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 6, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Environmental Assessment for the Fishery Manaagement Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. 155 pp. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 7, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Environmental Assessment for the Fishery Manaagement Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. 110 pp.

17 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 8, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Environmental Assessment for the Fishery Manaagement Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. 185 pp. Online: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Final habitat plan for the South Atlantic region: Essential Fish Habitat requirements for fishery management plans of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, the Red Drum Fishery Management Plan, the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan, the Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan, the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan, the Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitat Fishery Management Plan, the Sargassum Habitat Fishery Management Plan and the Calico Scallop Fishery Management Plan. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. 457 pp. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 13A, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Environmental Assessment for the Fishery Manaagement Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. 177 pp. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Final Amendment Number 14, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis/Regulatory Impact Review, and Social Impact Assessment/Fishery Impact Statement for the Fishery Management Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region.. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Amendment Number 15B, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Environmental Assessment for the Fishery Management Plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Charleston, SC. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Final snapper grouper amendment 16 (gag and vermilion snapper) including a final environmental impact statement, initial regulatory flexibility analysis, final regulatory impact review, and final social impact assessment/fishery impact statement. Charleston, SC. 608 p. Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) SEDAR 10 stock assessment report, Gulf of Mexico gag grouper. Charleston, SC. 250 pp. Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) SEDAR 10 stock assessment report, South Atlantic gag grouper. Charleston, SC. 485 pp. Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Stock assessment of gag in the Gulf of Mexico, SEDAR update assessment: Report of assessment workshop. Miami, FL. 171 pp.

18 Turner, S.C., Porch, C.E., Heinemann, D. Scott, G.P. and Ortiz, M Status of gag in the Gulf of Mexico. Wilson, R.R. and Burns, K.M Potential survival of released grouper caught deeper than 40 m based on shipboard and in-situ observations and tag recapture data. Bulletin of Marine Science 58: