1 Summary

This report summarizes information for species in the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. Each FMP is required to have a stock assessment and fishery evaluation (SAFE) report. This is the first update of the SAFE report since 2004.

This Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report provides background material for the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. It contains detailed information upon which the FMP and its amendments are based. In particular, this SAFE Report includes information on the biology of species in the FMP, recent harvest regulations, landings data, and recent stock assessments.

The fishery management unit include 51 species/stocks and 5 ecosystem species including Grouper (17), Snapper (10), Porgy (7), Jacks (5), Grunt (5), Sea Bass (3), Tilefish (3), Hogfish (2 stocks), Triggerfish (2), Spadefish (1), and Wreckfish (1). There are stock assessments for 15 species (Scamp and Yellowmouth has not been accepted through an amendment) of which 7 were reported as overfishing in the terminal year of the assessment and 6 were overfished. Stock status is unknown for the remainder of the species in the unit.

The overall trend in landings since the 1990s have been a decreasing trend but from 2011 to 2020, landings have increased from an overall low in 2011 (Figure 1.1). The number of releases in the fishery has increased since 1990 reaching an all time high in 2016. Since 2016, the releases have decreased.

Combined landings of all species and releases from the recreational fishery in the snapper grouper fishery management unit.

Figure 1.1: Combined landings of all species and releases from the recreational fishery in the snapper grouper fishery management unit.

1.1 Top Species

The top species varied between the recreational and commercial sectors. The recreational sector top species for directed trips (targeted or landed) was the snappers complex (Cubera, Gray, and Lane) every year. Yellowtail Snapper ranked second or third in number of directed trips from 2016 to 2020. Mutton Snapper was in the top five for directed trips. Other top five species included: Atlantic Spadefish, Black Sea Bass, EFL/FLK Hogfish, Gray Triggerfish, Grunts, and Red Snapper.

Commercial top species was based on the ex-vessel value. Yellowtail Snapper and Vermilion Snapper ranked first and second in ex-vessel value from 2016 to 2020. Tilefish (Golden Tilefish) ranked third from 2016 to 2018. When the ACL dropped, Gray Triggerfish switched into third and Tilefish dropped to fourth. Greater Amberjack ranked fifth each year.

Table 1.1: Top fives species for directed recreational trips (targeted or landed) in the South Atlantic region from 2016 to 2020.
Rank 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
1 Snappers Snappers Snappers Snappers Snappers
2 Atlantic Spadefish Yellowtail Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Red Snapper Mutton Snapper
3 Yellowtail Snapper Mutton Snapper Black Sea Bass Yellowtail Snapper Yellowtail Snapper
4 Mutton Snapper Gray Triggerfish Mutton Snapper Grunts Black Sea Bass
5 EFL/FLK Hogfish Grunts Grunts Mutton Snapper Gray Triggerfish
Table 1.2: Top fives species based on commercial ex-vessel value in the South Atlantic region from 2016 to 2020.
Rank 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
1 Yellowtail Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Yellowtail Snapper
2 Vermilion Snapper Vermilion Snapper Vermilion Snapper Vermilion Snapper Vermilion Snapper
3 Tilefish Tilefish Tilefish Gray Triggerfish Gray Triggerfish
4 Gray Triggerfish Gray Triggerfish Gray Triggerfish Tilefish Tilefish
5 Greater Amberjack Greater Amberjack Greater Amberjack Greater Amberjack Greater Amberjack

2 Introduction

This report summarizes information for species in the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan that are overfished or overfishing. Each FMP is required to have a stock assessment and fishery evaluation (SAFE) report. SAFE reports should include information useful for determining annual catch limits (ACL); documenting trends or changes in the resource, ecosystem, and fishery; and assessing success of relevant state and federal FMPs. Information included in the report describes stock status, catch level recommendations, projections (when available), landings and releases by sector (where available), social and economic trends by sector, and essential fish habitat. This report includes information through 2020 for most species.

Data for this report are pulled from multiple sources including:

The SAFMC managed species in this report had an assessment that indicated the stock was overfished, experiencing overfishing, or both or NOAA Fisheries reported to Congress that a stock was overfished or overfishing had occurred. Stock status is provided on both the latest stock assessment, which is updated when a new stock assessment is completed and can be several years old, and NOAA Fisheries Report to Congress, which is updated annually. Overfishing is determined in the report to Congress if landings exceeds the overfishing limit Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Stock status for seven snapper grouper species based on recent stock assessments and NOAA Fisheries 2022 Quarter 1 Report to Congress
Stock Assessment
NOAA Fisheries
Species SEDAR Terminal Year Overfishing Overfished Report to Congress Overfishing Overfished
Black Grouper 19 2008 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Black Sea Bass 56 2016 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Blueline Tilefish 50 2015 No No 2022 Q4 No No
FLK/EFL Hogfish 37 2012 Yes Yes 2022 Q4 No Yes
Gag 71 2019 Yes Yes 2022 Q4 Yes Yes
Greater Amberjack 59 2017 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Mutton Snapper 15U 2013 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Red Grouper 53 2015 Yes Yes 2022 Q4 No Yes
Red Porgy 60 2017 Yes Yes 2022 Q4 No Yes
Red Snapper 73 2020 Yes Yes 2022 Q4 Yes Yes
Snowy Grouper 36U 2019 Yes Yes 2022 Q4 Yes Yes
Tilefish 66 2018 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Vermilion snapper 55 2016 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Wreckfish SSC Review 2010 No No 2022 Q4 No No
Yellowtail Snapper 64 2017 No No 2022 Q4 No No

Information specific to each of these snapper grouper species is featured below. The information includes:

  • brief description of the species and life history,
  • assessment information,
  • stock status and fishing level recommendations,
  • recent or upcoming management actions,
  • fishery and population trends,
  • sector trends,
  • economic trends,
  • social trends, and
  • additional information.

If there are any questions on the SAFE report, please send an email with SAFE Report in the subject line.

3 Groupers

3.1 Black Grouper

Black Grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci, is a large reef fish that is grayish or dark brown, with irregular coppery spots (some spots join to form chain-like streaks). Black Grouper is often confused with Gag; however, the most noticeable color difference is the coppery spots on Black Grouper that do not occur on Gag. The tail of Gag is slightly concave, whereas the tail of a Black Grouper is squared off.

Black Grouper occur off North Carolina to Florida, around Bermuda, and in the Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and from Central America to southern Brazil. Adults are found over hard- bottom such as coral reefs and rocky ledges. Black Grouper occur at depths of 30 to 100 ft. Juveniles sometimes occur in estuarine seagrass and oyster habitat, or on shallow patch reefs. Black Grouper live for at least 33 years and attain sizes as great as five feet. Black Grouper change sex from female to male, and approximately 50% of females are sexually mature by 2.7 ft and 5.2 years of age. At a length of 4 ft and an age of 15.5 years, approximately 50% of the females have become males. Black grouper are in spawning condition throughout the year; however, peak spawning of females occurs from January to March.

3.1.1 Assessment Information

The 2010 stock assessment has not been updated for Black Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions. At that time the stock was not overfished and not experiencing overfishing. The SSC developed an ABC for the species but did not provide an overfishing level due to limited data. (Figure 3.1).

__A__. Combined landings of Black Grouper (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Black Grouper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Black Grouper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 3.1: A. Combined landings of Black Grouper (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Black Grouper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Black Grouper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

3.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Black Grouper are provided in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Stock status determination criteria for Black Grouper.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB2008/SSBMSST 1.400
Overfishing Evaluation F2006-2008/Fmsy 0.500
MFMT Proxy 30% static SPR 0.216
SSBMSY SSBmsy 1000 lbs 5,920.000
MSST 75% SSB MSY 4,440.000
MSY Yeild at proxy 30% static SPR 520.000
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs whole weight 162.000
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (1000 lbs ww) 265.000

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) were approved by the Council in Comprehensive ACL Amendment (2012) (Table 3.2).

Table 3.2: Fishing level recommendations for Black Grouper from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 289,426 265,426 NA NA

3.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

(Table 3.3).
Table 3.3: Recent and upcoming management amendments, implementation date, and management changes for Black Grouper.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 53 Establish a recreationl vessel limit
On Going Amendment 53 Prohibit retention by captain and crew

3.2 Gag

Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, is a warm temperate species, from the Yucatan Peninsula throughout the Gulf of Mexico, around the Florida peninsula northward to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Gag are usually found shallower than 375 ft on sponge-coral habitat and rock ledges. Larvae and/or juveniles migrate to specific estuarine seagrass and oyster reef habitats at depths less than 3 ft and leave for shallow coastal shelf reefs in the fall and winter of their first year. They prey on crabs, shrimp, lobster, octopus, squid and fish that live close to reefs.

Gag can grow to over 5 feet in length and live over 30 years. Gag transition from females to male at an age of about 10 years and a length of about 39 inches. Female Gag mature at an age of 3 to 4 years, when they are about 28 to 31 inches long. Spawning occurs from December through May, with a peak between February and April, at which time they may make annual spawning migrations to specific locations where they may form spawning aggregations. Adult spawning aggregations have been reported on shelf edge reefs at depths of 240 to 300 ft.

3.2.1 Assessment Information

Gag have been overfished since 2008 and overfishing occurred most years from 1984 to 2019 based on the results of SEDAR 71 (Figure 3.7). Rebuilding plans require the population to be rebuilt to the spawning stock biomass (SSB) at maximum sustainable yield (red line in graph A). The Council is developing a rebuilding plan for Gag in Amendment 53 with projections for the stock to rebuild in 10 years.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Gag__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 71. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Gag__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 71. Red dots indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 3.7: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Gag relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 71. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Gag relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 71. Red dots indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

3.2.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Gag are provided in the table below based on the results of SEDAR 71 (Table 3.5). Amendment 53 will revise stock status criteria and fishing level recommendations.

Table 3.5: Stock status determination criteria for Gag based on SEDAR 71 (Amendment in development to implement).
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST 0.15
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy 2.15
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR 0.37
SSBMSY 1000 lbs (female and male) 3448.00
MSST 75% SSB MSY 2586.00
MSY 1000 lbs 1455.10
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (2023 value 1000 lbs gw) 175.00

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) based on the results of SEDAR 71 (Table 3.6). OFL and ABC are in pounds gutted weight (gw) and discards are in number of moralities.

Table 3.6: Fishing level recommendations for Gag from the SSC based on SEDAR 71 (Amendment in development to implement).
Year OFL ABC
2023 825,000 773,000
2024 494,000 262,000
2025 605,000 348,000
2026 706,000 435,000
2027 808,000 525,000

3.2.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

The Council is developing an amendment for Gag (see Amendment 53 for more information). No other management actions have been developed to target catch or retention of Gag in the last five years (Table 3.7).

Table 3.7: No recent management were directed at Gag.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 53 Establish a rebuilding plan
On Going Amendment 53 Revise the ABC, ACL and OY
On Going Amendment 53 Revise sector allocations and catch limits
On Going Amendment 53 Reduce commercial trip limit
On Going Amendment 53 Establish a recreationl vessel limit
On Going Amendment 53 Prohibit retention by captain and crew
On Going Amendment 53 Revise recreational accountability measures

3.3 Nassau Grouper

Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus, is a tropical grouper found on coral reefs and associated habitats in the tropical Western Atlantic, and range from Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Florida to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. Juveniles are common in seagrass beds.

Nassau Grouper is a medium-sized grouper (maximum 48 inches and 30 lbs maximum) that is famous for its large spawning aggregations that form at predictable times and places, primarily in winter. Unlike most other groupers, where some large females become males, Nassau Grouper have individuals that begin life as males, with some females having a potential for sex change. Male and female Nassau Grouper mature between 16 and 20 inches at ages between 4 to 8 years. The spawning season is associated with water temperature and the moon phase. At lower latitudes, spawning activity lasts for about one week per month during December through February.

3.3.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has not been developed for Nassau Grouper. The SSC recommended an ABC of zero for Nassau Grouper due to past issues with overfishing and was listed by NMFS as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2016. Landings of Nassau Grouper were reported in the early 1990 but dropped in 1992 when Amendment 4 (1991) established a quota of 0 for Nassau Grouper . Only sporadic landings have occurred since. Recent landings (since 2011) have been infrequent with most years have no landings (Figure 3.13). There is little difference in the landings trend among survey type for Nassau Grouper but the landings did increase substantially in some years (e.g. approximately 15,000 lbs in 1991 and 2000).

__A__. Combined landings of Nassau Grouper (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Nassau Grouper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Nassau Grouper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 3.13: A. Combined landings of Nassau Grouper (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Nassau Grouper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Nassau Grouper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

3.3.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Nassau Grouper are provided in Table 3.9. Only the OY has a defined value. The SAFMC is lead for Nassau Grouper throughout the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions (Amendment 27 2014).

Table 3.9: Stock status determination criteria for Nassau Grouper.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 40% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY NA
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC 0

The SSC recommended an ABC 0 and Council adopted an ACL of 0 in Amendment 17B (Table 3.10).

Table 3.10: Fishing level recommendations for Nassau Grouper established in the Comp ACL Amendment (2012).
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 0 NA NA

3.3.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

No recent management actions have addressed Nassau Grouper (Table 3.11).
Table 3.11: Recent and upcoming management amendments, implementation date, and management changes for Nassau Grouper.
Date Council Document Management Change

3.3.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

3.4 Red Grouper

Red Grouper, Epinephelus morio, are associated with reef habitat, especially the adults, in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico and south to Brazil, with a disjunct distribution off the Atlantic coast. They are commonly caught off North Carolina, northern South Carolina and southern Florida but are rare from southern South Carolina to northern Florida. Red Grouper are reported to occur at depths of 80 - 400 ft. Red Grouper inhabits ledges, crevices, and caverns of rocky limestone reefs, and lower-profile, live-bottom areas. They are known to be important ecosystem engineers due to their creation of large depressions in the sea floor which become habitat for various species.

Red Grouper can live to over 25 years, with older fish reaching a size of 33 inches in length and 25 lbs. Red Grouper transition from female to male at an age of about 8 years and a length of about 28 inches. Female Red Grouper mature at an age of about 3 years, when they are about 20 inches in length. Red Grouper spawning season is from February through June, with a peak in April.

3.4.1 Assessment Information

Red Grouper were overfished and experiencing overfishing in most years based on the results of the SEDAR 53 assessment (Figure 3.18). Thus Red Grouper required a rebuilding plans, and the population must be rebuilt to the spawning stock biomass (SSB) at maximum sustainable yield (red line in graph A). The Council developed a rebuilding plan for Red Grouper in Regulatory Amendment 30 with projections for the stock to rebuild in 10 years.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Red Grouper__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 53. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Red Grouper__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 53. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 3.18: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Red Grouper relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 53. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Red Grouper relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 53. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

3.4.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Red Grouper are provided in Table 3.12 based on the results of SEDAR 53.

Table 3.12: Stock status determination criteria for Red Grouper based on SEDAR 53
Criteria Definition Value
Rebuilding evaluation SSB/SSBmsy 0.29
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBmsst 0.38
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy 1.54
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR 0.12
SSBMSY 1000 lbs 7018.00
MSST 75% SSB MSY 5264.00
MSY 1000 lbs 794.30
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs 772.00
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (2020 value 1000 lbs) 162.00

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) based on the results of SEDAR 53 (Table 3.13). OFL and ABC are in pounds and discards are in number of moralities.

Table 3.13: Fishing level recommendations (lbs ww) for Red Grouper from the SSC based on SEDAR 53 included in the SSC Report October 2017.
Year OFL ABC
2023 202,000 162,000
2024 202,000 162,000


3.4.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Recent changes that have occurred in the last 5 years included a reduction in the ACL, revising the rebuilding plan, decrease in the commercial trip limit, and a longer spawning season off North and South Carolina (Table 3.14).
Table 3.14: Recent management amendments, implementation date, and management changes for Red Grouper
Date Council Document Management Change
8/17/2018 Abbreviated Framework 1 Adjustment to ACL
3/9/2020 Reg Amendment 30 Revised the rebuilding plan
3/9/2020 Reg Amendment 30 Reduced commercial trip limits
3/9/2020 Reg Amendment 30 Extended spawning season closure in NC and SC

3.5 Scamp

Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax, can be found along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. from North Carolina to Key West, FL, in the Gulf of Mexico, and along the southern shores of the Caribbean. Scamp inhabit low-profile live-bottom areas, areas of living Oculina coral (off Florida east coast), and over ledges and high-relief rocky bottoms in waters between 75 to 300 feet deep. Scamp can be an aggressive ambush predators preying on crabs, shrimp, and fish.

Scamp can live up to 30 years and reach lengths to over 40 inches in length and weighing more than 35 lbs. Scamp are protogynous hermaphrodites transitioning from female to male at the age of 5 to 9 when they are 20 to 30 inches in length. Female Scamp mature at an age of 1 to 2 years, when they are about 14 inch length. Scamp spawn from February to August with a peak in March through May.

3.5.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has recently been completed for Scamp and will be used in future SAFE Reports. The SSC recommended an ABC for Scamp using the ORCS approach and was implemented in Amendment 29 (373,049 lbs). The overfishing level was unknown (Figure 3.24). Landings of Scamp has been below the ACL and optimum yield since 2017. The change from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey (FES) changed the average landings estimate from 190,000 lbs from 2011 to 2020 to 232,000 lbs. FES landings have ranged between 14,000 and 174,000 from 2011 to 2020.

__A__. Combined landings of Scamp (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Scamp. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Scamp (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 3.24: A. Combined landings of Scamp (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Scamp. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Scamp (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

3.5.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Scamp are provided in Table 3.16. Only the OY has a defined value.

Table 3.16: Stock status determination criteria for Scamp.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY NA
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=0.9*ABC 336

Fishing level recommendations using ORCS and adopted in Amendment 29 (2014) (Table 3.17).

Table 3.17: Fishing level recommendations for Scamp from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 373,049 NA NA

3.5.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Amendment 55 was initiated in March 2023 to implement the catch level recommendations from the SSC based on the results of SEDAR 68 (2023) (Table 3.18). Management will need to address several issues associated with the stock including developing a new complex that include Scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper.
Table 3.18: Recent and upcoming management amendments, implementation date, and management changes for Scamp.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 55 Amendment Starting

3.5.8 Additional Information

SEDAR 68

3.6 Snowy Grouper

Snowy Grouper, Hyporthodus niveatus, is a large deepwater reef-associated species. Snowy Grouper occur in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil, including Bermuda, Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Within the Atlantic waters off the southeastern U.S., Snowy Grouper can be found on the outer continental shelf and upper slope at depths greater than 150 feet in habitats characterized by ridges, terraces, and precipitous cliffs; or on wrecks and artificial reefs. Snowy Grouper is a bottom fish that ambushes bottom-dwelling prey. The most common diet items are deepwater crabs, but finfish are also eaten.

Snowy Grouper is relatively long-lived and may reach a maximum age of 56 (South Atlantic) to 80 (Gulf of Mexico) years and a weight of 70 lbs. Snowy Grouper begin to transition from female to male at age 10 when they are about three feet long. Female Snowy grouper mature at an age of 5 to 6 years, when they are about 24 inches in length. The spawning season is from January through October, with a peak in May to August.

3.6.1 Assessment Information

Snowy Grouper were overfished and experiencing overfishing in most years based on the results of the SEDAR 36 2020 Update assessment (Figure 3.32). Snowy Grouper have been in a rebuilding plan since 2006, and the population must be rebuilt to the spawning stock biomass (SSB) at maximum sustainable yield (red line in graph A). The population is expected to be rebuilt by 2042.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Snowy Grouper__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 36 2020 Update. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Snowy Grouper__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 36 2020 Update. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 3.32: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Snowy Grouper relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 36 2020 Update. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Snowy Grouper relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 36 2020 Update. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

3.6.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Snowy Grouper are provided in Table 3.20 based on the results of SEDAR 36 2020 Update.

Table 3.20: Stock status determination criteria for Snowy Grouper based on SEDAR 36 Update. Values will be implemented through Amendment 51.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBmsst 0.48
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy 1.13
MFMT Proxy 30% static SPR 0.09
SSBMSY Total Biomass 1000 lbs 4206.00
MSST 75% SSB MSY 3155.00
MSY 1000 lbs 532.00
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs 518.50
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (2023 value 1000 lbs) 119.00

Fishing level recommendations (lbs gw) based on the results of SEDAR 36 2020 Update including OFL, ABC, Discard OFL, and Discard ABC (lbs gw) (Table 3.21).

Table 3.21: Fishing level recommendations for Snowy Grouper from the SSC based on SEDAR 36 Update. Values will be implemented through Amendment 51.
Year OFL ABC
2023 265,744 218,848
2024 156,035 121,272
2025 155,227 122,889
2026 151,993 122,889


3.6.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Recent management change was the creation of a commercial split season in Regulatory Amendment 27. New management actions are being developed as part of Amendment 51.
Table 3.22: Recent management amendment, implementation date, and management change for Snowy Grouper.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 51 Revise ABC, ACL, and OY
On Going Amendment 51 Revise allocations and sector ACLs
On Going Amendment 51 Modify recreational season
On Going Amendment 51 Modify recreational accountability measures
2/26/2020 Reg Amendment 27 Created commercial split season and create seasonal commercial quotas

3.7 Speckled Hind

Speckled Hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi, is a warm-temperate species, occurring from the Yucatan Peninsula throughout the Gulf of Mexico, around the Florida peninsula northward to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Bermuda. It is absent from the tropical continental and insular Caribbean Sea and Bahama Islands. They commonly inhabit mid-shelf to upper continental slope reef habitats at depths ranging from 65 to 600 feet. Speckled Hind is usually found inshore of more typical deepwater reef fish such as Tilefish, and Snowy, Warsaw, and Yellowedge groupers. Yellow phase juvenile Speckled Hind have been observed on shelf-edge Oculina coral reefs off east central Florida, and on shelf-edge hard-bottom reefs off South Carolina. Speckled Hind is considered piscivorous and generally engulf their prey whole.

Speckled Hind can reach a maximum age of 35 years, and can weigh over 50 pounds (the world record is 64 lbs caught off North Carolina). Speckled Hind are protogynous hermaphrodites spawning over a prolonged period from April to October with a peak in May to August. Females transition to male at 6 years of age or older and at a length of 1.5 to 2.0 feet. Female Speckled Hind mature at an age of 4 to 6 years, when they are about 1.5 feet long. In the Atlantic waters off the southeast U.S., Speckled Hind is managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council under the Snapper Grouper FMP. Speckled Hind are caught on shelf edge and continental slope reefs using hook-and-line gear including electric reels and bottom longlines.

3.7.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has not been developed for Speckled Hind. The SSC recommended an ABC of zero for Speckled Hind due to past issues with overfishing although the overfishing level is unknown. Landings of Speckled Hind spiked in the 1990s and then decreased. Amendment 6 (1993) eliminated sale of Speckled Hind. Recent landings (since 2011) have been infrequent with many years have no landings (Figure 3.38). There is little difference in the landings trend for Speckled Hind.

__A__. Combined landings of Speckled Hind (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Speckled Hind. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Speckled Hind (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 3.38: A. Combined landings of Speckled Hind (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Speckled Hind. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Speckled Hind (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

3.7.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Speckled Hind are provided in Table 3.24. Only the OY has a defined value.

Table 3.24: Stock status determination criteria for Speckled Hind.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY NA
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC 0

Fishing level recommendations using ORCS and adopted in Amendment 37 (2016) (Table 3.25).

Table 3.25: Fishing level recommendations for Speckled Hind from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 0 NA NA

3.7.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Several actions were developed in Amendment 37 (2016) including establishing the Georgia through North Carolina stock (Table 3.26). There was concern for the stock based on stakeholder feedback. The Council increased the minimum size limit and established a commercial trip limit and recreational bag limit.
Table 3.26: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Speckled Hind.
Date Council Document Management Change

3.7.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

3.8 Warsaw Grouper

Warsaw Grouper, Hyporthodus nigritus, is a warm-temperate cool water species with permanent breeding populations in deep reefs along the continental shelf edge and deep slope from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to east central Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The Warsaw Grouper has been consistently observed in small groups typically with a single very large (80 inches in length) individual around deep Oculina coral reefs and shipwrecks at depths from 180 to 1,722 ft on the east central coast of Florida. The warsaw’s huge mouth enables it to engulf prey whole after capturing it.

Warsaw Grouper are protogynous hermaphrodites. Females mature 40 inches at 9 years. Female to male transition size is unknown, but the largest reported females were 45 inches. while the smallest male was 47 inches and 10 years old. The oldest and largest males are reported to be 41 years and 92 inches. The maximum age is estimated at 44 to 46 years. The Warsaw Grouper spawning activity has not been documented in the Atlantic waters off the southeastern U.S., but is estimated to occur from spring into summer based on post-larval collections and aging and is known to spawn August - October in the Gulf of Mexico, and during April and May off Cuba.

3.8.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has not been developed for Warsaw Grouper. The SSC recommended an ABC of zero for Warsaw Grouper due to past issues with overfishing although the overfishing level is unknown. Landings of Warsaw Grouper spiked in the 1990s and then decreased. Amendment 6 (1993) eliminated sale of Warsaw Grouper. Recent landings (since 2011) have been infrequent with many years have no landings (Figure 3.43). There is little difference in the landings trend among survey type for Warsaw Grouper but the landings did increase substantially in some years (e.g. over 50,000 lbs in 1991 and 2009).

__A__. Combined landings of Warsaw Grouper (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Warsaw Grouper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Warsaw Grouper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 3.43: A. Combined landings of Warsaw Grouper (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Warsaw Grouper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Warsaw Grouper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

3.8.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Warsaw Grouper are provided in Table 3.27. Only the OY has a defined value.

Table 3.27: Stock status determination criteria for Warsaw Grouper.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY NA
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC 0

The SSC recommended an ABC 0 and Council adopted an ACL of 0 in Amendment 17B (Table 3.28).

Table 3.28: Fishing level recommendations for Warsaw Grouper from the SSC Amendment 17B.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 0 NA NA

3.8.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

No recent management actions have addressed Warsaw Grouper (Table 3.29).
Table 3.29: Recent and upcoming management amendments, implementation date, and management changes for Warsaw Grouper.
Date Council Document Management Change

3.8.8 Additional Information

4 Hogfish

4.1 Hogfish - Florida Keys/East Coast Florida Stock

Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus, occur in the Western Atlantic from Nova Scotia (Canada) to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, although it is most commonly found in the Caribbean. Hogfish are primarily found in warm subtropical and tropical waters. Genetic analysis indicates there are three stocks in U.S. waters, which include the Gulf of Mexico, Florida/Florida Keys, and Carolinas. Hogfish are usually found in loose aggregations around hard-bottom areas, such as coral reefs, rocky ledges and wrecks. They occur at depths of 10 to 98 ft over open bottom or coral reef; however, hogfish have occasionally been captured in monitoring programs at depths ranging from 75 to 174 ft and have been observed during submersible dives off South Carolina at depths of 171 ft.

Maximum reported size is 36 inches in length (male) and 22 lbs. Maximum reported age varies by region in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is 23 years and 13 years in the Florida Keys. Hogfish form haremic spawning aggregations, with males setting up territories that can include multiple females (10 to 15 females). Hogfish change from female to male. Off the Florida Keys, spawning occurs from September to April with a February and March peak. Off the southern coast of NC, spawning occurs from April through July.

4.1.1 Assessment Information

The Florida Keys/East Florida (FK/EFL) stock of Hogfish were designated as overfished and experiencing overfishing based on the results of SEDAR 37 assessment (Figure 4.1). FK/EFL stock of Hogfish are expected to be rebuilt by 2026 based on the rebuilding plan.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Hogfish__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 37. The red line at 1 indicates the rebuilding target. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Hogfish__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 37. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 4.1: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Hogfish relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 37. The red line at 1 indicates the rebuilding target.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Hogfish relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 37. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

4.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Florida Keys/East Coast of Florida Hogfish are provided in Table 4.1 based on the results of SEDAR 37. Values were reported in Table 2.2.1 in Amendment 37.

Table 4.1: Stock status determination criteria for Hogfish based on SEDAR 37.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST 0.466
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy 1.593
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR 0.138
SSBMSY 1000 lbs (female and male) 2300.000
MSST 75% SSB MSY 1725.000
MSY 1000 lbs 346.100
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=95%ABC (2023 value 1000 fish) 42.000

Fishing level recommendations (Numbers of fish) based on the results of SEDAR 37 including OFL, ABC, Discard OFL, and Discard ABC (Numbers) (Table 4.2).

Table 4.2: Fishing level recommendations for FK/EFL Hogfish from the SSC based on revised projection for SEDAR 37 included in Amendment 37 (Appendix K)
Year OFL ABC
2023 73,662 44,162
2024 79,808 49,254
2023 73,662 44,162
2024 79,808 49,254
2025 85,486 54,183
2026 90,657 58,878
2027 95,311 63,295


4.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Hogfish were split into different management stocks based on genetic differences along the Atlantic Coast. The Florida Key/East Florida stock of Hogfish were added to the Snapper Grouper Complex in Amendment 37 along with actions to rebuild the overfished stock and end overfishing (Table 4.3).
Table 4.3: Recent management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for FK/EFL Hogfish.
Date Council Document Management Change
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Establish Florida Keys/East Florida stock
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Created MSY, MSST, ABC, ACL, ACT
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Establish a rebuilding plan
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Develop allocations
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Increase minimum size limit
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Establish commercial trip limit

4.2 GA-NC Hogfish

The stock of Hogfish from Georgia to North Carolina (designated below as GA-NC) are genetically distinct from the stock off the East Coast of Florida and Florida Keys. Below is the fishery information for that stock.

4.2.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment was attempted for GA-NC Hogfish but there was not sufficient information to run the models. The SSC recommended an ABC for the stock (35,716 lbs) in 2017 but indicated the overfishing level was unknown. (Figure 4.7). Landings of GA-NC Hogfish has been below the ACL and optimum yield since 2017. The change from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey (FES) changed the average landings estimate from 22,300 lbs from 2011 to 2020 to 24,000 lbs. FES landings have ranged between 15,000 and 35,000 from 2011 to 2020.

__A__. Combined landings of GA-NC Hogfish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for GA-NC Hogfish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of GA-NC Hogfish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 4.7: A. Combined landings of GA-NC Hogfish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for GA-NC Hogfish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of GA-NC Hogfish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

4.2.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of GA-NC Hogfish are provided in Table 4.5. Only the OY has a defined value.

Table 4.5: Stock status determination criteria for GA-NC Hogfish.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY NA
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=95%ABC (1000 lbs) 33.9

Fishing level recommendations using ORCS and adopted in Amendment 37 (2016) (Table 4.6).

Table 4.6: Fishing level recommendations for GA-NC Hogfish from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 35,716 NA NA

4.2.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Several actions were developed in Amendment 37 (2016) including establishing the Georgia through North Carolina stock (Table 4.7). There was concern for the stock based on stakeholder feedback. The Council increased the minimum size limit and established a commercial trip limit and recreational bag limit.
Table 4.7: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for GA-NC Hogfish.
Date Council Document Management Change
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Establish Georgia-North Carolina stock
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Created MSY, MSST, ABC, ACL, ACT
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Develop allocations
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Increased minimum size limit to 17 inches FL
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Establish commercial trip limit (500 lbs)
8/24/2017 Amendment 37 Established recreational bag limit (2 per person)

4.2.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

5 Jacks

5.1 Greater Amberjack

Greater Amberjack, Seriola dumerili, is a pelagic and epibenthic warm-temperate species in the family Carangidae. This large jack is distributed from Nova Scotia to Brazil and throughout the Pacific, Indian, and Eastern Atlantic Oceans as well as the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Greater Amberjack often are found near reefs, rocky outcrops, or wrecks off the southeastern United States, with a relatively broad depth range of 50 to 780 ft.

Greater Amberjack has a fast growth rate and reaches a maximum size of 74 inches, maximum weight of 178 pounds, and maximum age of 13 years. Females are generally larger at age than males. This species is gonochoristic with a spawning season from January to June with a peak in April and May. Spawning appears to be more prevalent off south Florida and the Florida Keys compared to locations further north along the Atlantic coast. They mature at 1 year of age and 29 inches in length.

5.1.1 Assessment Information

Based on the results of SEDAR 59 (2020), Greater Amberjack was not overfished and overfishing was not occuring (Figure 5.1). The results indicated the population has been increasing in abundance in 1998. Overfishing has not been observed since the early 1990s. Fishing mortality relative to MSY has had a decreasing trend.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Greater Amberjack__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 59. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Greater Amberjack__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 59. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 5.1: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Greater Amberjack relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 59. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Greater Amberjack relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 59. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Landings of Greater Amberjack exceeded the ACL in 2015 and 2016 and above the OFL in 2016. The recreational estimates developed using the Coastal Household Telephone Survey indicated a gradual decrease in landings since the early 1990s and average under 2 millions lbs per year. The recreational estimates developed using the Fishery Effort Survey indicates a more stable time series of landings after the 1990s and average over 2 million lbs per year. Landings relative to future projections indicate a substantial difference between the current catch and optimum yeild (equal to ACL).

__A__. Combined landings of Greater Amberjack (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Greater Amberjack. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Greater Amberjack (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey. The blue box contains projections for the 2023 to 2026 ACLs (red line) and OFLs (black dashed line)

Figure 5.2: A. Combined landings of Greater Amberjack (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Greater Amberjack. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Greater Amberjack (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey. The blue box contains projections for the 2023 to 2026 ACLs (red line) and OFLs (black dashed line)

5.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Greater Amberjack based on the results of SEDAR 59 (2020) are provided in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1: Stock status determination criteria for Greater Amberjack.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB2006/MSST 2.10
Overfishing Evaluation F2006/Fmsy 0.40
MFMT FMSY 0.69
SSBMSY Spawnning Stock Biomass (1000 lbs) 7,255.00
MSST 75% SSBMSY 5,441.00
MSY 1000 lbs whole weight 2,342.00
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (2023 value 1000 lbs) 3,233.00

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) were approved by the Council in Amendment 49 (2023) but have not been implemented (Table 5.2).

Table 5.2: Fishing level recommendations for Greater Amberjack provided by the SSC.
Year OFL ABC
2023 3,283,000 3,233,000
2024 2,839,000 2,818,000
2025 2,719,000 2,699,000
2026 2,691,000 2,699,000

5.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Amendment 49 (2023) is adjusting the recommended catch levels for Greater Amberjack based on the results of SEDAR 59 (2020) (Table 5.3). Amendment 49 also includes changes to the allocation, reducing the commercial minimum size limit, increasing the recreational minimum size limit, and increasing the commercial trip limit.

Table 5.3: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Greater Amberjack.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 49 Revise the ABC, ACL and OY
On Going Amendment 49 Revise sector allocations and ACLs
On Going Amendment 49 Increase recreational minimum size limit
On Going Amendment 49 Reduce commercial minimum size limit
On Going Amendment 49 Increase commercial trip limits
On Going Amendment 49 Revise spanwing season closure
2/26/2020 Reg Amendment 27 Created commercial split season and seasonal commercial trip limits

5.1.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

5.2 Bar Jack

The Bar Jack, Caranx ruber, occurs in the Western Atlantic from New Jersey to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean Sea. Fish less than 11 inches long have dark band from eye to first dorsal fin and six prominent bars on body; larger fish are bluish, greenish, or brown with white tipped tail-lobe.

It is commonly found in clear insular areas or coral reef habitats off mainland coasts, from depths of 10 to 115 ft. Juveniles frequent areas with Sargassum and appear to be common in shallow water (0 to 49 ft) reef habitats, but probably move to the outer margins of the shelf at or before maturity. Bar Jack are founds in nearshore and offshore waters over hard-bottom, generally in shallower water than other amberjacks. Young are associated with weed lines or floating debris and may follow sharks and other large fish. Bar Jack are sometimes solitary, but usually forms schools, possibly associated with spawning events. Prey items include fishes, shrimps, and other invertebrates.

Maximum reported size is 28 inches and 18.2 lbs. The minimum size of maturity for both males and females off Jamaica is 9 inches. The mean length at maturity is 10 inches for both sexes, and most fish are probably mature when they reach 10 inches in length. Spawning occurs during all year with peak spawning during April and October. Peak spawning off Cuba occurs during April and July.

5.2.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has not been completed for Bar Jack in the South Atlantic Region. The SSC developed an ABC for the species but indicated the overfishing level was unknown. (Figure 5.10). Landings of Bar Jack have remained below the ACL and optimum yield. In 2015, the ACL and optimum yield were increased with the adoption of the only reliable catch series methodology (ORCS). Since the fishery has not harvested half of the optimum yield. The change from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey (FES) changed the average landings estimate from near 10,000 lbs to between 5,000 and 65,000 lbs. The change in the survey has resulted in more variable landings since 2010 with a negative trend in landings since 2011.

__A__. Combined landings of Bar Jack (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Bar Jack. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Bar Jack (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 5.10: A. Combined landings of Bar Jack (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Bar Jack. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Bar Jack (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

5.2.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Bar Jack are provided in Table 5.5.

Table 5.5: Stock status determination criteria for Bar Jack.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY Yeild at Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (1000 lbs ww) 62.2

Fishing level recommendations using ORCS and adopted in Amendment 29 (2014) (Table 5.6).

Table 5.6: Fishing level recommendations for Bar Jack from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 62,249 NA NA

5.2.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

A maximum of 10 Bar Jack in the 20-fish aggregate was adopted in 2020 (Table 5.7). No changes have occurred in the commercial fishery.
Table 5.7: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Bar Jack.
Date Council Document Management Change
3/20/2020 Reg Amendment 26 Set maximum of 10 Bar Jack in 20-fish aggregate

5.2.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

6 Sea Basses

6.1 Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass, Centropristis striata, is a temperate species with permanent reproducing populations from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Larval Black Sea Bass settle in coastal and estuarine waters often near structure and migrate to inshore and mid-shelf reefs when they grow larger and mature. Once settled on (offshore) reefs, site fidelity is very high. Black Sea Bass are opportunistic feeders eating whatever is available, preferring crabs, shrimp, worms, small fish and clams.

Black Sea Bass can reach a maximum age of about 11 years, but can live longer (up to 20 years) in others regions, and grow to 24 inches or 6 pounds. Black Sea Bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, transitioning from female to male at about 4 years of age and a length of about 10 inches. Females can mature within their first year and around 6 inches in length (larger elsewhere). The spawning season extends from February through September, but peaks in the cooler months of February through April. Females spawn multiple times during the spawning season with the number of eggs produced during the spawning season ranging from 30,000 to 500,000 depending on fish size.

6.1.1 Assessment Information

Based on the results of SEDAR 56, Black Sea Bass was not overfished and overfishing was not occuring in the last two years of the assessment (2015 and 2016) (Figure ??). However the results indicated a downward trend in population abundance with the biomass approaching the minimum stock size threshold (definition for overfished. Prior to the last two years, overfishing was occuring in most years for Black Sea Bass. Based on the fishery performance report, developed in conjunction with the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, indicated the trend in abundance for Black Sea Bass continued to decline.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Black Sea Bass__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 56. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Black Sea Bass__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 56. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 6.1: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Black Sea Bass relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 56. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Black Sea Bass relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 56. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Landings of Black Sea Bass have remained below the ACL and optimum yield and continued to decrease. The change from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey resulted in approximately 1,000,000 more fish being landed than previously estimated from 1982 to 2017. Due to the lower number harvested in recent years, the difference between the survey methods has decreased.

__A__. Combined landings of Black Sea Bass (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Black Sea Bass. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Black Sea Bass (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 6.2: A. Combined landings of Black Sea Bass (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Black Sea Bass. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Black Sea Bass (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

6.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Black Sea Bass based on the results of SEDAR 56 (2018) are provided in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1: Stock status determination criteria for Black Sea Bass.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST 1.15
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy 0.64
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR 0.31
SSBMSY Billions of Eggs 300.00
MSST Billions of Eggs 186.00
MSY 1000 lbs whole weight 935.00
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs whole weight 701.25
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (1000 lbs ww) 643.00

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) were approved by the Council in Abbreviated Framework 2 (2018) (Table 6.2). Due to concern with the declining trends in abundance, the SSC recommended reassessing Black Sea Bass in 2021 (see May 2018 SSC Report). A new assessment for Black Sea Bass is being presented to the SSC in April 2023.

Table 6.2: Fishing level recommendations for Black Sea Bass from the SSC based Abbreviated Framework 2.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 703,000 643,000 NA NA

6.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Abbreviated Framework 2 adjusted the recommended catch levels for Black Sea Bass based on the results of SEDAR 56 (2018) (Table 6.3). No other management changes were developed for Black Sea Bass specifically.

Table 6.3: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Black Sea Bass.
Date Council Document Management Change
5/9/2019 Abbreviated Framework 2 Increased the ABC, ACL and OY

6.1.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

7 Snappers

7.1 Mutton Snapper

Mutton Snapper, Lutjanus analis, is found in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts to southeastern Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is most abundant around the Antilles, the Bahamas, and off southern Florida. Mutton snapper can typically be found in both brackish and marine waters at depths of 82 to 312 ft, although they have been captured on mud slopes at depths of 328 to 656 ft. Juveniles generally occur closer to shore, over sandy, vegetated bottom habitats, while large adults are commonly found offshore among rocks and coral habitat. Mutton snapper feed on fishes, shrimps, crabs, cephalopods, and gastropods.

Mutton Snapper has a reported maximum size of 37 inches in length (male) and 35 lbs. Maximum age of Mutton Snapper is 29 years. Mutton Snapper are gonochorists (separate sexes). Size at 50% maturity is 13 inches in length and 16 inches in length for males and females, respectively; all males and females are probably mature by 17 inches in length and 18 inches length, respectively. Spawning occurs in aggregations. Individuals have been observed in spawning condition February through July. Some spawning occurs during February to June, but spawning peaks during the week following the full moon in April and May. Spawning aggregations are known to occur north of St. Thomas, USVI, and south of St. Croix, USVI, in March, April, and May. Spawning at Riley’s Hump off south Florida peaks in June.

7.1.1 Assessment Information

Based on the results of SEDAR 15A Update (2015), Mutton Snapper was not overfished and overfishing was not occuring (Figure 7.1). This stock assessment assessed the population as one unit in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic region. The results indicated the population increased in abundance from 1994 to 2012 when the spawning stock biomass remained at around 1.15 of the maximum sustainable yield.

__. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Mutton Snapper__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 15A Update. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield.

Figure 7.1: . The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Mutton Snapper relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 15A Update. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield.

Landings of Mutton Snapper in the South Atlantic region have not exceeded the total ACL (established in 2012). The recreational estimates developed using the Coastal Household Telephone Survey indicated decreasing in landings from the 1990s to the 2020s (Figure 7.2A.). From 2016 to 2020, landings decreased from approximately 500,000 lbs to just over 200,000 lbs, the lowest level in the last 30 years. The recreational estimates developed using the Fishery Effort Survey did not seem to have the long-term decreasing trend but did have the decrease in landings from 2016 to 2020 (Figure 7.2B.). The Fishery Effort Survey has resulted in higher landings estimates with the landings being as much as 2 times the previous value.

__A__. Combined landings of Mutton Snapper (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Mutton Snapper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Mutton Snapper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 7.2: A. Combined landings of Mutton Snapper (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Mutton Snapper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Mutton Snapper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

7.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Mutton Snapper based on the results of SEDAR 15A Update (2015) combined for both regions are provided in Table 7.1.

Table 7.1: Stock status determination criteria for Mutton Snapper.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/MSST 1.33
Overfishing Evaluation F/F30%spr 0.65
MFMT F30%spr 0.18
SSBMSY Female biomass (1000 lbs) 4,649.00
MSST 75% SSB MSY 3,487.00
MSY Y at F30%spr 912.50
Y at 40% SPR Y at 40% SPR (1000 lbs) 874.00
Optimum Yield ACL = OY = ABC (2020 value 1000 lbs) 654.00

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) for the South Atlantic region were approved by the Council in Amendment 15 (2013) (Table 7.2). A new stock assessment (SEDAR 79) is expected to be completed in 2024.

Table 7.2: Fishing level recommendations for Mutton Snapper provided by the SSC.
Year OFL ABC
2022 912,500 654,257

7.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Amendment 41 (2017) adjusted the recommended catch levels for Mutton Snapper based on the results of SEDAR 15A Update (2015) (Table 7.3).

Table 7.3: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Mutton Snapper.
Date Council Document Management Change
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Specified an MSY of 912,500 lbs ww, specified MSST = 3,486,900 lbs ww.
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Revised ACL = OY = ABC = 129,150 fish for 2017, Com ACL = 100,015 lbs ww (for 2017), Rec ACL = 116,127 fish (for 2017).
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Set rec ACT = 85% rec ACL = 98,708 fish.
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Increased min size limit from 16in to 18in TL.
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Designated April-June as spawning months and the rest of the year as the regular season.
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Kept mutton in the 10-snapper aggregate but reduced the bag limit within the aggregate to 5/p/d year round.
2/8/2018 Amendment 41 Reduced the commercial trip limit to 500 lbs during the regular season and 5/p/d or 5/p/trip whichever is more restrictive during the spawning season.

7.2 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

7.3 Red Snapper

Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, is distributed in warm-temperate waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico south to the Yucatan Peninsula and in United States Atlantic waters north to North Carolina. Adult Red Snapper are associated with structured habitats such as coral reefs, wrecks, artificial reefs, rocky outcroppings, and live-bottom habitats in relatively shallow waters (typically <250 ft) in the Atlantic waters off the southeastern U.S. Juveniles occur in shallow waters over sandy or muddy bottom.

Red Snapper reach a maximum length of about 40 inches and maximum reported age over 50 years. They spawn April through October in the Atlantic, with a peak June through September. They begin to mature under 2 years of age for males and females. Females reach larger sizes than males.

7.3.1 Assessment Information

Red Snapper have been overfished since 1982 and overfishing occurred almost all years from 1982 to 2019 based on the results of SEDAR 73 (Figure 7.10A and B). Rebuilding plans require the population to rebuilt to the spawning stock biomass (SSB) at maximum sustainable yield. The rebuilding target year is 2046. The population has shown dramatic recovery over the past decade and the number of fish in the population is close the number of fish at MSY. Unfortunately, most of the Red Snapper are less than 3 years old see SEDAR 73 Figure 14.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Red Snapper__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 73. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Red Snapper__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 73. Red points indicate overfishing was occuring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 7.10: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Red Snapper relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 73. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates the rebuilding target, MSY.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Red Snapper relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 73. Red points indicate overfishing was occuring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

7.3.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Red Snapper are provided in Table 7.5.

Table 7.5: Stock status determination criteria for Red Snapper based on SEDAR 73. Values will be implemented through Regulatory Amendment 35.
Criteria Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB2019/SSBmsst
Overfishing Evaluation F2017-2019/Fmsy
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR
SSBMSY 100 million eggs
MSST 75% SSB MSY
MSY 1000 lbs
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (2023 value 1000 fish)

Fishing level recommendations (lbs ww) based on the results of SEDAR 73 (Table 7.6).

Table 7.6: Fishing level recommendations for Red Snapper from the SSC based on SEDAR 73. Values will be implemented through Regulatory Amendment 35.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 53,000 50,000 NA NA
2024 31,000 31,000 207,000 207,000
2025 33,000 33,000 210,000 210,000
2026 35,000 35,000 211,000 211,000
2027 36,000 36,000 212,000 212,000


7.3.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

The Council changed the process to develop the ACL for Red Snapper and allowed the recreational sector to be opened if the projected season would be less than three days (Table 7.7). The Council is in the process of changing regulations for Red Snapper through Regulatory Amendment 35. Links to past amendments can be found in Additional Information section.
Table 7.7: Recent management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Red Snapper.
Date Council Document Management Change
7/26/2018 Amendment 43 Removed process to determine ACL and specified ACL
11/2/2017 Emergency Action Revise process to determine ACL and set to 42,510 fish
11/13/2020 Reg Amend 33 Allows recreational Red Snapper season to occur if projected to be less than 3 days
11/13/2020 Reg Amendment 33 Removed the minimum 3 day requirement for recreational Red Snapper season to open
On Going Reg Amendment 35 Reduce ABC, ACL, and OY

7.3.7 Social Trend

One social trend for Red Snapper is fishing opportunity which has been reduced since 2010 due to limited catch levels and short or no seasons.The short seasons or absence of a fishing season for red snapper in recent years has been highly controversial with negative effects on recreational anglers, for-hire businesses, retail businesses, and commercial vessels. The short seasons have led to distrust in science and management due to inconsistency in what fishermen see on the water versus the scientific models.

Table 7.8 shows the number of days the recreational season was open and dates for commercial closures (season opens 2nd Monday in July) from 2016 to 2021.

When completing a Fishery Performance Report for Red Snapper in September 2020 the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel discussed dependence on the fishery and a charter captain from southern South Carolina recounted that “it (dependence) crested early on, back in 2010.” He recalled catering to a lot of tournament fishermen, especially when the recession hit in 2008 and 2009 and people were getting rid of “those go-fast boats.” He stated that word of the impending Red Snapper closure hurt the charter business in his area. It was the norm, he recalled, to run out and catch a handful of snapper and then move on and go catch something else. When that was eliminated, it was devastating to both the tackle shops and to the charter businesses. Nowadays, ten years later, Red Snapper are “not even mentioned, other than they’re in the way.” He indicated that charters can no longer count on catching Black Sea Bass anymore (they catch fifteen or twenty snappers instead) and customers – who often come from out of state for events held at the base on Parris Island – get frustrated, and that continues to affect the charter and tackle businesses.

A commercial fisherman from northeast Florida reiterated that the initial closure on the harvest of Red Snapper and subsequent short seasons have been devastating to the coastal communities that depend on reef fish. He recounted that Red Snapper once was “our bread-and-butter for our entire life, and then it was taken away, and so it’s been devastating, not only for the commercial side of it and the consumer access, but also your charter boats, your private recreational, industries that are associated with all of this.”

Table 7.8: Recreational season length and commercial ACL closure date from 2016 to 2021. *Indicates the federal season was not open and no date indicates the sector did not harvest its ACL.
Year Recreational Season Length (Days) Commercial Closure Date
2016 * *
2017 6
2018 6 17-Nov
2019 5 30-Aug
2020 4 5-Sep
2021 3 14-Sep
2021 2 31-Aug

7.4 Vermilion Snapper

Vermilion Snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens and comonly called beeliners, is a warm-temperate and tropical Snapper occurring from North Carolina and Bermuda, throughout the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico, and south to southeastern Brazil. Off the Atlantic waters of the southeastern U.S., Vermilion Snapper is a schooling fish that is commonly associated with patches of sponge/coral habitat, rocky outcrops, and rocky ledges on the continental shelf and shelf-break (85-180 ft), as well as the upper-slope reef habitats (~330 ft). Young fish occur in shallower waters than the adults (typically < 85 ft), where they also form large schools. They feed on fishes, shrimps, crabs, polychaetes, other benthic invertebrates, cephalopods, and planktonic organisms.

Vermilion Snapper is relatively small, reaching maximum lengths of 24 inches and maximum ages greater than 20 years old. They are gonochoristic and spawn off the Atlantic waters off the southeastern U.S. from April to September, with a peak between June and August. They mature at a young age (nearly all are mature at 1 year old) and small size (beginning around 6 inches in length). There is also a skewed sex ratio, with more females present than males.

7.4.1 Assessment Information

Based on the results of SEDAR 55 (2018), Vermilion Snapper was not overfished and overfishing was not occuring (Figure 7.16). The results indicated the population decreased in abundance from 1950 to 1990 when the spawning stock biomass remained at around 1.25 of the maximum sustainable yield. Overfishing was only indicated in 5 years since the start of the assessment (1946). The most recent years indicated fishing mortality was much less than fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Vermilion Snapper__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 55. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Vermilion Snapper__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 55. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 7.16: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Vermilion Snapper relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 55. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Vermilion Snapper relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 55. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Landings of Vermilion Snapper exceeded the ACL in 2014 and 2016 but remained below the OFL all years. The recreational estimates developed using the Coastal Household Telephone Survey indicated an increase in landings from the 1980s to the 1990s and then landings remained around 1.5 million lbs (Figure 7.17A.). Since 2010 landings have been around 1.25 million lbs. The recreational estimates developed using the Fishery Effort Survey had a similar trend in landings except for the last five years where the estimates increased compared to landings from 2010 to 2013 (Figure 7.17B.). The Fishery Effort Survey estimates were generally higher than the telephone survey values.

__A__. Combined landings of Vermilion Snapper (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Vermilion Snapper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Vermilion Snapper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 7.17: A. Combined landings of Vermilion Snapper (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Vermilion Snapper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Vermilion Snapper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

7.4.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Vermilion Snapper based on the results of SEDAR 55 (2018) are provided in Table 7.9.

Table 7.9: Stock status determination criteria for Vermilion Snapper.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB 2016/ MSST 1.510
Overfishing Evaluation F2014-2016/ FMSY 0.609
MFMT FMSY 0.410
SSBMSY 100 billion eggs 18.300
MSST 75% SSBmsy 13.700
MSY MSY associated with h=0.69 1,306.000
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs 1,288.000
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC 1,336.000

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) were approved by the Council in Abbreviated Framework 2 (2018) (Table 7.10).

Table 7.10: Fishing level recommendations for Vermilion Snapper provided by the SSC.
Year OFL ABC
2023 1,371,000 1,336,000

7.4.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Abbreviated Framework 2 (2018) is adjusting the recommended catch levels for Vermilion Snapper based on the results of SEDAR 55 (2018) (Table 7.11).

Table 7.11: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Vermilion Snapper.
Date Council Document Management Change
5/9/2019 Abbreviated Framework 2 Increased the ABC, ACL and OY
5/9/2019 Abbreviated Framework 2 Considered allocation adjustments but no action was taken
2/26/2020 Reg Amendment 27 Removed step-down for commercial trip limits when 75% of a seasonal quota was met

7.4.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

7.5 Yellowtail Snapper

Yellowtail Snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus, occurs in the Western Atlantic, ranging from Massachusetts to southeastern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, but is most common in the Bahamas, off south Florida, and throughout the Caribbean. Yellowtail Snapper inhabits waters as deep as 590 ft, but are most abundant at depths of 66 to131 ft. Adults typically inhabit sandy areas near offshore reefs, and juveniles are usually found over back reefs and seagrass beds. Yellowtail snapper typically exhibit schooling behavior. Yellowtail Snapper are nocturnal predators; juveniles feed primarily on plankton, whereas adults eat a combination of planktonic and benthic organisms, including fishes, crustaceans, worms, gastropods, and cephalopods.

Maximum reported size is 34 inches in length (male) and 9 lbs. Maximum age is 17 years. There is a truncation in the size and age structure of Yellowtail Snapper near human population centers. Yellowtail Snapper have separate sexes throughout their lifetime. Size at 50% maturity is estimated as 9 inches in length (males) and 10 inches length (females). Spawning occurs over a protracted period and peaks generally from late spring through summer. Spawning generally occurs in offshore waters during the new moon, and spawning often involves large spawning aggregations.

7.5.1 Assessment Information

Based on the results of SEDAR 64 (2018), Yellowtail Snapper was not overfished and overfishing was not occuring (Figure 7.25). This stock assessment assessed the population as one unit in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic region. The results indicated the population increased in abundance from 1996 to 2016 when the spawning stock biomass remained at around 1.75 of the maximum sustainable yield. Overfishing was only indicated in 3 years since the start of the assessment (1992). The most recent years indicated fishing mortality was much less than fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Yellowtail Snapper__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 64. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Yellowtail Snapper__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 64. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 7.25: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Yellowtail Snapper relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 64. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Yellowtail Snapper relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 64. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Landings of Yellowtail Snapper in the South Atlantic region exceeded the total ACL (established in 2012). The recreational estimates developed using the Coastal Household Telephone Survey indicated an increase in landings from the 1980s to the 1990s and then landings remained around 1.5 to 2.5 million lbs (Figure 7.26A.). Since 2010, landings increased but dropped back down in 2020. The recreational estimates developed using the Fishery Effort Survey had a similar trend in landings except for landings since 2014 when landings spiked at over 3 million lbs. Since landings have decreased to 2 million lbs (Figure 7.26B.). The Fishery Effort Survey has resulted in higher landings estimates. An OFL and ACL based on SEDAR 64 has not been implemented but the Council is working on an amendment to address this.

__A__. Combined landings of Yellowtail Snapper (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Yellowtail Snapper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Yellowtail Snapper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 7.26: A. Combined landings of Yellowtail Snapper (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Yellowtail Snapper. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Yellowtail Snapper (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

7.5.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Yellowtail Snapper based on the results of SEDAR 27A (2012) combined for both regions are provided in Table 7.13. Results of SEDAR 64 and interim analysis will be added when Amendment 44 is approved by the Council.

Table 7.13: Stock status determination criteria for Yellowtail Snapper.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB 2010/ SSBMSST 4.144293
Overfishing Evaluation F2010/F30%SPR 0.154000
MFMT F30%SPR 0.290000
SSBMSY SSB 30%SPR 3,072.000000
MSST 2,488.000000
MSY Y at F30%spr 1,700.000000
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC 2,174.000000

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) for the South Atlantic region were approved by the Council in Amendment 15 (2013) (Table 7.14). New catch levels are being developed in Amendment 44.

Table 7.14: Fishing level recommendations for Yellowtail Snapper provided by the SSC.
Year OFL ABC
2023 3,382,500 3,037,500

7.5.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Amendment 44 is adjusting the recommended catch levels for Yellowtail Snapper based on the results of SEDAR 64 (2018) and interim analysis (Table 7.15).

Table 7.15: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Yellowtail Snapper.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 44 Revise the ABC, ACL and OY
On Going Amendment 44 Revise regional apportionment and sector allocations

7.5.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

8 Spadefish

8.1 Atlantic Spadefish

8.1.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has not been completed for Atlantic Spadefish in the South Atlantic Region. The SSC developed an ABC for the species but indicated the overfishing level was unknown. (Figure 8.1). Landings of Atlantic Spadefish have remained below the ACL and optimum yield with the exception of 2014. In 2015, the ACL and optimum yield were increased with the adoption of the only reliable catch series methodology (ORCS). Since the fishery has not harvested half of the optimum yield. The change from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey (FES) changed the average landings estimate from near 200,000 lbs to approximately 700,000 lbs. Additionally the change in the survey also results in a different trend in landings estimates with the FES indicating an increasing trend in landings.

__A__. Combined landings of Atlantic Spadefish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Atlantic Spadefish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Atlantic Spadefish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 8.1: A. Combined landings of Atlantic Spadefish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Atlantic Spadefish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Atlantic Spadefish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

8.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Atlantic Spadefish are provided in Table 8.1.

Table 8.1: Stock status determination criteria for Atlantic Spadefish.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY Yeild at Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (1000 lbs ww) 812.5

Fishing level recommendations using ORCS and adopted in Amendment 29 (2014) (Table 8.2).

Table 8.2: Fishing level recommendations for Atlantic Spadefish from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 812,478 NA NA

8.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

A maximum of 10 Atlantic Spadefish in the 20-fish aggregate was adopted in 2020 (Table 8.3). No changes have occurred in the commercial fishery.
Table 8.3: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Atlantic Spadefish.
Date Council Document Management Change
3/20/2020 Reg Amendment 26 Set maximum of 10 Atlantic Spadefish in 20-fish aggregate

8.1.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

9 Tilefishes

9.1 Blueline Tilefish

Historically, Blueline Tilefish, Caulolatilus microps, were patchily distributed along the outer continental shelf of North America from Cape Lookout, NC, to Campeche Bank, Mexico. Blueline Tilefish are now reported as far north as Hudson Canyon off the New England Coast. Adults appear to move little, inhabiting areas along the outer continental shelf, shelf break, and upper slope on irregular bottom. Usual adult habitats include ledges or crevices and around boulders or rubble piles at depths of 160 to 820 ft. Individuals have been observed hovering near or entering burrows under rocks as observed in many other tilefishes (Malacanthids). Blueline Tilefish feed on bottom creatures, such as crabs, shrimp, snails, worms, sea urchins, and small fish.

Blueline Tilefish can live to at least 26 years but the expected maximum age may be closer to 45 years. There is dimorphic growth with males growing larger at age than females, with both sexes reaching over 32 inches. Blueline Tilefish have an extended spawning season from February to November, with a peak March – September. Data suggests they are fully mature by 15 inches.

9.1.1 Assessment Information

Blueline Tilefish were reported as overfishing in the 2022 Quarter 1 Stock Status Report by NMFS indicating the catch level exceeded the overfishing limit. The 2017 assessment (SEDAR 50) did not indicate the portion of the stock south of Cape Hatteras, NC, was overfished nor experiencing overfishing (Figure 9.1). Due to the lack of information and different fishery dynamics north of Cape Hatteras, the status for that portion of the stock was unable to be determined. Therefore, stock status and assessment figures only describe the portion of the stock south of Cape Hatteras. Acceptable biological catch (ABC) for Blueline Tilefish north of Cape Hatteras was estimated using data-limited methods then added to the ABC for south of Cape Hatteras to calculate the South Atlantic regionwide ABC. Currently, the Council is considering changes to management measures for Blueline Tilefish due to the recreational fishery exceeding their ACL for multiple years.

__A.__ The estimate of __spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Blueline Tilefish south of Cape Hatteras__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 50. Red dots indicate when the population was overfished. The red horizontal line indicates the minimum stock size threshold, below this line the stock is overfished. Note: 2020 and 2021 when landings exceeded the OFL are not plotted on the graph. __B.__ The estimate of __fishing mortality rate (F) of Blueline Tilefish south of Cape Hatteras__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 50. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing. Note: 2020 and 2021 when landings exceeded the OFL are not plotted on the graph.

Figure 9.1: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Blueline Tilefish south of Cape Hatteras relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 50. Red dots indicate when the population was overfished. The red horizontal line indicates the minimum stock size threshold, below this line the stock is overfished. Note: 2020 and 2021 when landings exceeded the OFL are not plotted on the graph.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Blueline Tilefish south of Cape Hatteras relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 50. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing. Note: 2020 and 2021 when landings exceeded the OFL are not plotted on the graph.

9.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Blueline Tilefish south of Cape Hatteras are provided in the Table 9.1.

Table 9.1: Stock status determination criteria for Blueline Tilefish based on SEDAR 50
Criteria Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR
SSBMSY 1000 lbs
MSST 75% SSB MSY
MSY 1000 lbs
Y at 75% FMSY 1000 lbs
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (1000 lbs ww)

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) for South Atlantic Blueline Tilefish based on the results of SEDAR 50. The catch level recommendation from 2022 will be used until a new recommendation is provided by the SSC (Table 9.2).

Table 9.2: Fishing level recommendations for Blueline Tilefish from the SSC based on SEDAR 50
Year OFL ABC
2023 328,985 233,698


9.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Five management actions were developed in three amendments affecting Blueline Tilefish have occurred in the last 6 years (Table 9.3). The Council is developing Amendment 52 aimed at reducing landings of Blueline Tilefish in the recreational sector due to the sector exceeding its ACL. Links to previous amendments are provided in Additional Information section.

Table 9.3: Recent management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Blueline Tilefish
Date Council Document Management Change
8/17/2020 Abbreviated Framework 3 Adjusted ACLs and recreational ACT
On Going Amendment 52 Reduce recreational bag limit and not allow retention by captain and crew
On Going Amendment 52 Modify recreational accountability measures
8/17/2020 Framework Amendment 3 Increased ACL and recreational ACT
2/26/2020 Reg Amend 27 Established a commercial split season for Blueline Tilefish
8/12/2016 Reg Amendment 25 Increased ABC, ACL, and OY
8/12/2016 Reg Amendment 25 Increased commercial trip limit
8/12/2016 Reg Amendment 25 Established a recreational bag limit
2/26/2020 Reg Amendment 27 Created commercial split season and create seasonal commercial trip limits

9.2 Tilefish (Golden Tilefish)

Tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps and commonly called Golden Tilefish, is easily distinguishable from other members of the family Malacanthidae (Tilefishes) by the large adipose flap, or crest, on the head. The species is blue-green and iridescent on the back and sides, with numerous spots of bright yellow and gold, and a white belly.

Tilefish is a long-lived, slow-growing deepwater demersal member of the family Malacanthidae distributed along the outer continental shelf of North America from Nova Scotia to the northern shoreline to Campeche Bank, Mexico including the Gulf of Mexico. Golden Tilefish is also found throughout continental Caribbean. It is also off of South America from Venezuela to Surinam. Tilefish move little as adults and occupy burrows within clay bottoms or scour depressions around boulders or rubble piles in depths of 250 to 1,500 ft and water temperatures of about 50° to 60° F.

Tilefish can reach a length of 38 inches and 40 years of age. Females are smaller than males, although whether or not the species displays hermaphroditism is still under investigation. Sexual maturity is reached when fish are about 27 inches long, 3 years of age, and weigh about 9 lbs. Female Tilefish spawn from March through November with a spawning peak occurring between April and June. Male Tilefish was also in spawning condition from March through November, however, most spawning activity occurred from April through June.

9.2.1 Assessment Information

Based on the results of SEDAR 66 (2021), Tilefish was not overfished and overfishing was not occuring (Figure 9.7). The results indicated a downward trend in population abundance; however, the population is at the biomass level associated with maximum sustainable yield. Overfishing was observed in 2 of the last five year but the status from the stock assessment (geometric average from 2017-2019) indicated overfishing was not occurring.

__A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Tilefish__ relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 66. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield. __B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Tilefish__ relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 66. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Figure 9.7: A. The estimate of spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Tilefish relative to the SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from SEDAR 66. Red points indicate when the population was overfished indicating the population is below the minimum stock size threshold. The red horizontal line indicates maximum sustainable yield.
B. The estimate of fishing mortality rate (F) of Tilefish relative to the F at MSY from SEDAR 66. Red points indicate overfishing was occurring in that year. The red horizontal line indicates overfishing, above this line the stock is experiencing overfishing.

Landings of Tilefish exceeded the ACL from 2018 to 2020 but were below the OFL in all years. Unlike most species in the snapper grouper fishery management unit, the landings of Tilefish have only changed slightly with the exception of the 2019 estimate when recreational estimates were developed using the Coastal Household Telephone Survey or the Fishery Effort Survey. Landings of tilefish were around 500,000 lbs from 2001 to 2011 when the ACLs were estiablished. In 2018, the ACLs and OFLs decreased based on the results of SEDAR 26 Update (2016). The results of SEDAR 66 included projections out to 2026 and are provided for comparison of previous harvest estimates.

__A__. Combined landings of Tilefish (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Tilefish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Tilefish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey. The blue box contains projections for the 2023 to 2026 ACLs (red line) and OFLs (black dashed line)

Figure 9.8: A. Combined landings of Tilefish (whole weight, ww) to the ACL (red solid line) and OFL (black dashed line) for Tilefish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Tilefish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey. The blue box contains projections for the 2023 to 2026 ACLs (red line) and OFLs (black dashed line)

9.2.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Tilefish based on the results of SEDAR 66 (2021) are provided in Table 9.5.

Table 9.5: Stock status determination criteria for Tilefish.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB2018/SSBMSST 1.294
Overfishing Evaluation F2016-2018/Fmsy 0.947
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR 0.282
SSBMSY Gonad wt (1000 lbs) 43.900
MSST 75% SSB MSY 32.800
MSY Gutted Weight (1000 lbs) 541.600
Y at 75% FMSY Gutted Weight (1000 lbs) 534.000
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (2023 value 1000 lbs) 435.000

Fishing level recommendations (lbs) were approved by the Council in Amendment 52 (2023) but have not been implemented (Table 9.6).

Table 9.6: Fishing level recommendations for Tilefish from the SSC based Abbreviated Framework 2.
Year OFL ABC
2023 426,000 342,000
2024 552,000 448,000
2025 543,000 458,000
2026 535,000 466,000

9.2.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

Amendment 52 (2023) is adjusting the recommended catch levels for Tilefish based on the results of SEDAR 66 (2021) (Table 9.7). Amendment 52 also includes changes to the allocation, commercial fishing, and accountability measures.

Table 9.7: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Tilefish.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 52 Revise the ABC, ACL and OY
On Going Amendment 52 Revise sector allocations and ACLs
On Going Amendment 52 Modify commercial fishing season
On Going Amendment 52 Modify recreational accountability measures
1/4/2020 Reg Amendment 28 Modified ACLs

9.2.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

10 Triggerfish

10.1 Gray Triggerfish

Gray Triggerfish, Balistes capriscus, is a warm-temperate species in the family Balistidae that is found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea. Gray Triggerfish occurs in coastal waters of the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia (Canada) to Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda. Throughout this distribution they generally are found at depths to 330 ft, though they are commonly found between 40 and 140 ft among reefs and hard-bottom habitat, such as wrecks and rock outcroppings. The most common items in their diet are small mussels, sea urchins and barnacles, which they dislodge and crush with their teeth.

Gray Triggerfish is a gonochorist that can reach a maximum age of 15 years and length of 22 inches. Males grow larger and live longer than females. Female Gray Triggerfish begin maturing at or before 1 year of age and around 6 inches in length. Spawning occurs off-shore from April-September, with Gray Triggerfish having demersal eggs that are deposited in guarded nests. Typically a single male guards a territory that houses several nests belonging to several females in a harem-like system. Females can spawn up to 12 times a season.

10.1.1 Assessment Information

A stock assessment has not been completed for Gray Triggerfish in the South Atlantic Region. The SSC developed an ABC for the species but indicated the overfishing level was unknown. (Figure 10.1). Landings of Gray Triggerfish were above their ACL from 2013 to 2017. In 2015, the ACL and optimum yield were increased with the adoption of the Only Reliable Catch Series methodology (ORCS). The fishery still exceeded the ACL in 2016. Since catches have remained below the ACL and optimum yeild. The change from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey (FES) changed the average landings estimate from near 700,000 lbs from 2011 to 2020 to over 1 million lbs. Additionally the change in the survey also results in a different trend in landings estimates with the FES indicating an increasing trend in landings.

__A__. Combined landings of Gray Triggerfish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Gray Triggerfish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Gray Triggerfish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 10.1: A. Combined landings of Gray Triggerfish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Gray Triggerfish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Gray Triggerfish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

10.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Gray Triggerfish are provided in Table 10.1. Only the OY has a defined value.

Table 10.1: Stock status determination criteria for Gray Triggerfish.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/SSBMSST NA
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy NA
MFMT Fmsy or proxy 30% static SPR NA
SSBMSY SSBmsy or SSB proxy based on 30% static SPR NA
MSST SSB (1-M) or 0.5, whichever is greater) NA
MSY NA
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC (1000 lbs ww) 717

Fishing level recommendations using ORCS and adopted in Amendment 29 (2014) (Table 10.2).

Table 10.2: Fishing level recommendations for Gray Triggerfish from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 NA 716,999 NA NA

10.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

A maximum of 10 Gray Triggerfish in the 20-fish aggregate was adopted in 2020 (Table 10.3). No changes have occurred in the commercial fishery.
Table 10.3: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Gray Triggerfish.
Date Council Document Management Change
3/20/2020 Reg Amendment 26 Set maximum of 10 Gray Triggerfish in 20-fish aggregate
3/20/2020 Reg Amendment 26 Reduced recreational mimimum size limit to 12 inches fork length
2/26/2020 Reg Amendment 27 Reduced commercial minimum size limit to 12 inches fork length

10.1.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

11 Wreckfish

11.1 Wreckfish

Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus, is a commercially-important, deepwater, demersal fish, occurring on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Wreckfish can be found in the eastern Atlantic from Norway to South Africa, including the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Azores, Bermuda, and Madeira, and in the western Atlantic from Grand Banks, Newfoundland, to La Plata River, Argentina. Adult Wreckfish are found from depths of 130 to 2,625 ft, but most occur in waters deeper than 1,000 ft, with a maximum reported depth of 3,284 ft. At these depths, adult Wreckfish concentrate around steep, rocky bottoms and deep coral reefs, but they can be found in lower concentrations along flat, hard- bottom. Juveniles up to 24 inches in length are pelagic and are widely dispersed and are common in the surface waters of the eastern North Atlantic, but rare in the western North Atlantic. It mostly feeds on fishes and squids.

Wreckfish reach a maximum age of 80 years and maximum size of 6 ft. Juvenile pelagic phases grow quickly, but the adults are slow-growing. Females grow larger than males. Wreckfish are gonochorists that mature at age 7 years and 31 inches in length. Spawning has been documented off of South Carolina and Georgia, but may be more widespread. Spawning season is December to April.

11.1.1 Assessment Information

The landing of Wreckfish have dropped from highs in the 1990s when the fishery was beginning (started in 1987). The Council developed individual transferable quota program to control harvest in the Amendment 5 (1991). Since the mid 1990s, landings have remained between 70,000 and 360,000 lbs. In 2012, a length based stock assessment was developed for Wreckfish to replace the data-limited approaches used to set the ABC previously (Butterworth and Rademeyer 2012). Since landings have remained below the ACL and optimum yield for the fishery (Figure 11.1). Due to the limited landings of Wreckfish in the recreational fishery, the switch from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey to the Fishery Effort Survey resulted in minimal change to the landings estimate.

__A__. Combined landings of Wreckfish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Wreckfish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. __B__ Combined landings of Wreckfish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

Figure 11.1: A. Combined landings of Wreckfish (whole weight, ww) to the ABC for Wreckfish. Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Coastal Household Telephone Survey. B Combined landings of Wreckfish (whole weight, ww). Landings includes commercial whole weight and recreational whole weight estimated using Fishery Effort Survey.

11.1.2 Stock Status Criteria and Fishing Level Recommendations

Values to evaluate the stock status of Wreckfish are provided in Table 11.1.

Table 11.1: Stock status determination criteria for Wreckfish.
Criteria Definition Value
Overfished Evaluation SSB/MSST 2.110
Overfishing Evaluation F/Fmsy 0.583
MFMT 0.065
SSBMSY 1000 lbs whole weight 3,988.000
MSST 75% SSBmsy 2,992.000
MSY 1000 lbs whole weight 279.000
Y at 75% FMSY NA
Optimum Yield ACL=OY=ABC 389.100

The Council adopted the ABC and ACL in Amendment 22 (2015) decreased every year up to 2020 (Table 11.2). The 2020 values will remain the ABC and ACL until new catch levels are recommended.

Table 11.2: Fishing level recommendations for Wreckfish from the SSC based Amendment 29.
Year OFL ABC Discard OFL Discard ABC
2023 386,600 389,100 NA NA

11.1.3 Recent or Upcoming Management Changes

The Council is developing Amendment 48 to modernize the Individual Transferable Quota progra (Table 11.3). This will allow the fishery to use electronic methods to report their landings.

Table 11.3: Recent and upcoming management amendements, implementation date, and management changes for Wreckfish.
Date Council Document Management Change
On Going Amendment 48 Modernizing the Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota program

11.1.8 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat

12 Deepwater Complex

13 Grunts

14 Porgies

14.0.1 Additional Information

Essential Fish Habitat