Estimating the absolute abundance of Age-2+ red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico
Relevance:
The U.S. Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper fishery stock assessment is hindered by a lack of robust data, especially at structured habitat areas. To address this need, a $12.5 million research program, unprecedented in scale, was launched, and Congress made available $10 million in funding for a 2-year research project designed to independently estimate Gulf Red Snapper abundance using best available technologies. The absolute abundance estimate determined within this project will bolster future assessments and afford other stock evaluation and management options.
Response:
A team of 21 leading scientists from 12 institutions across the Gulf and beyond assembled to design and implement a large-scale population survey to independently estimate the abundance of age-2+ Red Snapper in the northern Gulf across 3 habitat types, 3 depth zones, and 5 regions on the continental shelf.
Results:
A suite of methods, including habitat classification, direct visual counts, depletion surveys, and a high-reward tagging study were used to calculate an overall absolute abundance estimate of 110 million age-2+ (CV 11%) Red Snapper aross the continental shelf of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during late 2019. While large numbers of fish occurred over well-known habitat features such as artificial reefs and natural hard bottom, we estimated that uncharacterized bottom habitat harbored the majority of Red Snapper. These new data will be incorporated into the management process. During Spring 2021 the Gulf of Mexico’s Science and Statistical Committee deemed the study as appropriate for management advice and began the process of integrating these fishing into the assessment process by increasing the Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) as a short-term measure. The full extent of the newly discovered fish from this study will be incorporated at the next Red Snapper Stock assessment that will be performed during 2021-2022. However, the results from the project led to increasing the 2021 overfishing limit (OFL) for red snapper to 25.6 million pounds (2019 OFL was 15.5 million pounds) at the March 2021 Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council’s Science and Statistical Committee meeting.
Recap:
This project involved a unique sampling design that incorporated novel sampling technologies, which builds on our scientific knowledge base and improves our understanding of Red Snapper abundance in a non-contentious and constructive approach to federal assessments. This project also included a high-reward tagging program that engaged recreational fishery stakeholders and generated estimates of exploitation and fishing effort in eastern and western regions of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. (2020)
Residents complete Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported training and start oyster farms
Relevance:
In response to poor harvests, the Mississippi governor's oyster recovery plan includes novel investment in off-bottom oyster aquaculture as a new industry in Mississippi. Residents interested in off-bottom oyster aquaculture requested assistance with permitting and guidance on oyster-farming techniques.
Response:
In 2018, 25 Mississippi residents attended a formal adult training program (led by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported extension specialists) called Oyster Farming Fundamentals, where they received basic training on oyster-farming techniques and methods, marketing, harvesting and permitting requirements over a six-session, 15-hour course. The course also included hands-on training.
Results:
Twenty-one participants completed the training, and all have expressed interest in pursuing commercial off-bottom oyster farms. At least 12 have obtained commercial permits with harvest planned for spring 2020.
Recap:
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant's training program for off-bottom oyster farming leads to at least 12 people starting and operating commercial oyster farms. (2019)
Stock assessment influences management regulations to improve sustainability of the Alabama spotted seatrout fishery
Relevance:
Spotted seatrout are among the most targeted gamefish in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries, including in Alabama and Mississippi, where inshore fishers contribute significantly to the coastal culture and economy. Spotted seatrout catch per unit effort declined from 2012 to 2014 in Alabama fishery-dependent and -independent indices, raising concerns over stock status.
Response:
We performed an age-structured integrated stock assessment of Alabama spotted seatrout and estimated that the stock was experiencing overfishing and annual harvests should be reduced to increase sustainability of this valuable recreational fishery. We presented the findings in both oral and written formats to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division.
Results:
Based on our findings, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division recommended an increased lower size limit, a slot limit, and lower bag limits for Alabama spotted seatrout. The recommendations were approved by the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board and were applied beginning with the 2019 recreational fishing season. See: Rainer, D. 2019. Advisory Board Approves Flounder, Seatrout Changes. Available online at https://www.outdooralabama.com/node/2604.
Recap:
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division recommended new management regulations for 2019 in order to end overfishing based on the results of a Sea Grant-supported stock assessment. (2019)
A large-scale survey developed to estimate abundance of an economically valuable marine fishery
Relevance:
The U.S. Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery stock assessment is hindered by a lack of robust data, especially at structured habitat areas. To address this need, a $12.5 million research program, unprecedented in scale, was launched, and Congress made available $10 million in funding for a 2-year research project designed to independently estimate Gulf red snapper abundance using best available technologies.
Response:
A team of 21 leading scientists from 12 institutions across the Gulf and beyond assembled to design and implement a large-scale population survey, to independently estimate the abundance of age-2+ red snapper in the northern Gulf across 3 habitat types, 3 depth zones and 5 regions on the continental shelf.
Results:
A suite of methods, including habitat classification, direct visual counts, depletion surveys, and a high-reward tagging study, are being used across the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico. An operating model was also developed to analyze incoming data and develop the final Gulf-wide abundance estimate. The final estimate will be used for comparison and integration into the NOAA red snapper stock assessment.
Recap:
Unique sampling design was developed to estimate red snapper population abundance across a large geographic area and parts of the design is being incorporated in a similar red snapper study being conducted in the Southeast region. (2019)
Technical advice helps some new Mississippi oyster farmers avoid catastrophic loses, increase production despite challenges
Relevance:
In response to historic freshwater inputs from the Bonnet Carre Spillway, newly established Mississippi oysters farms struggled with extended closures and dramatic crop losses. Oyster farmers requested assistance with options to increase crop survival and recovery strategies.
Response:
In 2019, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium-supported (MASGC) extension specialists provided technical expertise in production, marketing and insurance to Mississippi oyster farmers, including helping arrange a transfer of oysters to cooperating farms in Alabama where the crop could avoid the lower salinities experienced in Mississippi, which would have killed all of the oysters.
Results:
Because many farmed oysters were saved due to the quick response by MASGC-supported extension specialists all four oyster farms remained in business and expanded production in 2019 for an intended 2020 harvest. In addition, one Mississippi farmer also established a cooperative agreement to raise part of his crop in Alabama with an Alabama farmer.
Recap:
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant provided technical advice to four off-bottom oyster-farming operations in Mississippi to help them increase production and recover from freshwater events. (2019)
Economist estimates potential economic impacts of Bonnet Carré Spillway openings in 2019, supports Mississippi’s fisheries disaster application
Relevance:
A Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium-supported (MASGC) marine economist received several inquiries and requests for assistance in estimating the economic impacts of the prolonged and twice opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway in 2019 on the commercial fishing industry in the Northern Gulf of Mexico states.
Response:
The marine economist estimated the potential economic impacts of the Bonnet Carré spillway opening to the 2019 commercial landings and dockside values of major seafood species harvested by commercial fishermen in the region. The results were posted to blogs, social media networks and university websites and emailed to key industry and state regulatory agencies and media contacts.
Results:
These estimates were used to justify the request for federal fisheries disaster declaration and authorization by the U.S. Congress to allocate federal assistance to the negatively impacted coastal communities.
Recap:
A Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported marine economist developed economic recovery models for dominant seafood species harvested in the region, which were used to estimate the potential economic impacts of the twice opening of the Bonnet Carré spillway in 2019 on the commercial fishing industry. (2019)
