Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) Selected Projects
The tables below, organized by fiscal year, list the recipients of MARFIN projects, project title, synopsis, principal investigator, award number, and funding amount awarded. For copies of the final report please contact the Fisheries Grants Program Officer.
2023
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Improving Fishery-Independent Data Through Emerging Technologies and Methods Synopsis: The goal of this work is to obtain fishery-independent data for Black Sea Bass, Gag Grouper, Red Snapper, and Scamp Grouper that can be utilized for traditional assessments or management approaches, in addition to spatial or ecosystem-based analyses, while doing so in a more timely manner using emerging technologies and methods. This will be done by the following objectives: 1. Utilize FT-NIRS to obtain age estimates from SERFS collected ageing structures in a timelier and more efficient manner for these four species, while ensuring consistency with other regional labs using similar methods; 2. Utilize stable isotopes from collected eye lenses during routine SERFS sampling to characterize movement, diet change, and trophic niche over the lifetime of each species; and, 3. Utilize diet analysis from fish collected during routine MARMAP/SEAMAP-SA sampling, both visually and if necessary, with DNA barcoding to identify partially digested prey organisms, to characterize ecosystem processes of each species, which are important factors for ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM). PIs: Dr. Walter Bubley and Dr. Julie Vecchio (NA23NMF4330381) | $410,870 |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Title: Post-release mortality and movement patterns of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) in the Gulf of Mexico Synopsis: The overarching goal of this project is to estimate the post-release mortality rate of Cobia captured in the GOM recreational fishery while providing key information on stock structure using advanced electronic tagging. To achieve this goal, the recipient will build on their strong preliminary data by using well-established relationships between PIs and anglers to tag 50 Cobia with pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) aboard multiple vessels across the GOM (Texas to Florida). Sensors in the PSATs will allow us to collect high-resolution data on the behavior, but more importantly directly assess the fate (i.e., mortality) of Cobia following release. Additionally, they will use their network of citizen scientists to expand conventional tagging efforts in the GOM to provide new information on seasonal movements and stock structure while collecting ancillary trip data (including landings and discards) that is reported from participating anglers. The rationale for this project is that once the post-release mortality rate of regulatory discards is estimated, managers will be better able to predict how the stock will respond to new regulations, reduce uncertainty in the stock assessment, and make more informed decisions regarding the management of Gulf Cobia. PI: Dr. Matthew Streich (NA23NMF4330382) | $511,758 |
| North Carolina State University | Title: Using acoustic telemetry and fine scale positioning to estimate natural and release mortality of gag in the US southeast Synopsis: The recipient will use fine-scale acoustic telemetry to track the movements and behaviors of gag released with and without descender devices to estimate both release and natural mortality in the SEUS and determine the influence of best practice fishing methods on post-release survival. The fine-scale receiver arrays will be placed at two artificial reefs off the coast of North Carolina in ~20m depth where there is a peak in the number of gag releases in the SEUS. Fish will be caught using hook-and-line techniques, tagged with both conventional and telemetry tags, and tracked (~1m accuracy) within the artificial reef complex to assign fates over a two year period. Fates will include: alive in the study area, release mortality, natural mortality, and emigration. Positive (position data from known live gag) and negative (position data from known dead gag) controls will be used to increase accuracy of fate assignments. Instantaneous rates of release (with and without descender device use) and natural mortality will be estimated using a Bayesian multistate model. The goal is that the estimates of release and natural mortality from this study will be used in future stock assessments and management of gag in the southeast United States. PI: Dr. Jeffrey Buckel (NA23NMF4330383) | $461,363 |
2021
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | Title: Ageing error, age validation, and genetic ageing of a suite of Gulf of Mexico reef fishes - Synopsis: The overall goal of this proposed research is to improve stock assessment and management of a suite of GOM reef fishes. This will be accomplished by minimizing ageing error and developing cutting-edge genetic ageing approaches to improve production ageing, thus adding efficiency and greater precision to the estimation of catch-at-age matrices, which are critical inputs to stock assessments. Specific objectives will be to 1) develop genetic ageing protocols for gray triggerfish; 2) validate gag age estimation via sectioned versus whole otoliths utilizing a novel application of the bomb 14C chronometer; 3) apply genetic ageing protocols developed for red snapper (outside this study), gray triggerfish, and gag to scamp, yellowedge grouper, golden tilefish, and blackbelly rosefish to test whether general genetic ageing protocols can be applied accurately within and among teleost families; and, 4) validate otolith-derived age estimation in yellowedge grouper and golden tilefish by applying the bomb 14C chronometer to eye lens core ∆14C, and then developing validated otolith reference collections for those two difficult-to-age deepwater reef fishes. Methods developed in this should be directly applicable to other stocks in the region, as well as to other fisheries nationally and internationally. PI: Dr. William Patterson (NA21NMF4330501) | $522,301 |
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Investigating chevron trap selectivity; a collaborative effort to compare trap, underwater stereo camera, and hook and lines gears in the SE US waters - Synopsis: The focus of this research is to address recommendations of the Selectivity Workgroup and further selectivity research of chevron traps, underwater video and Repetitive Timed-Drop (RTD) hooked-gear for a variety of reef fishes in the snapper-grouper complex in the southeastern U.S. Atlantic region. We propose a collaborative project with FWRI and SERFS partners building on the FWRI selectivity study (FWRI 2016) as a baseline and leveraging the existing SERFS and FWRI fishery-independent efforts for a more comprehensive and cost-effective approach. This would involve paired gear comparisons by deploying stereo video cameras on traps deployed by the MARMAP/SEAMAP-SA component of SERFS throughout the region, as well as RTD sampling north of Florida with concurrent stereo video camera deployment. We can then characterize relative selectivities and develop gear- and species-specific selectivity functions for use in future stock assessments. PI: Dr. Dawn Glasgow (NA21NMF4330502) | $513,044 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Reproductive characteristics and spawning migrations of Gulf of Mexico Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) along the Florida Peninsula - Synopsis: The overall goal of our project is to utilize reproductive condition and movement studies to identify spawning activity for the Gulf of Mexico stock of Cobia around the Florida peninsula to fill data gaps identified during prior research efforts and recommended in SEDAR 28 and 58. Prior studies designed to examine mixing between stocks of Cobia revealed different migratory patterns within the GOM stock, but a more extensive study is necessary to fully address management needs pertaining to reproduction. We propose a three-pronged approach. First, evaluate migratory types (i.e. migratory and non-migratory) within the GOM stock in Florida by tagging Cobia with acoustic transmitters. Second, determine if spawning activity is occurring around the Florida peninsula by evaluating spawning status of harvested Cobia. Third, investigate genetic differences between migratory groups (e.g. migratory and non-migratory) by genetic analysis. By integrating multiple sampling techniques, we propose an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to understanding the dynamics of GOM and ATL Cobia stocks along the Florida peninsula. PI: Dr. Joy Young (NA21NMF4330503) | $524,991 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Nearshore pre-spawning aggregations, productivity, and stock structure of Gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico - Synopsis: The Gulf SSC review of the latest Gag stock assessment highlighted the need to better understand the stock’s reproductive potential and productivity. To address this need, we will sample nearshore pre-spawning aggregations and assess maturation, sex change rates, and aggregate behavior/changes in density that affect catch rates and survivorship. Population structure will be assessed with genetics and acoustic tracking and compared to results from the SEDAR72 dispersal model. A simulation model will be used to test the effects of Gag spatial ecology and sex change on key parameters used in stock assessments. PIs: Dr. Susan Lowerre-Barbieri and Dr. Luiz Barbieri (NA21NMF4330504) | $520,852 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Continuation of a fisheries-independent hooked gear survey to provide distribution, abundance, and demographics data on GOM managed reef fishes and explore novel methods to sample data-poor species - Synopsis: Researchers propose to conduct a three-year study in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to assess the utility of a standardized hooked-gear survey in characterizing the relative abundance and age composition of reef fishes (e.g., Red Snapper, Red Grouper, and Vermilion Snapper) through time. The proposed study will be based on fishery-independent methods developed and utilized by FWC during previously funded projects along the east coast of Florida and along Florida’s Gulf coast. PIs: Eric Weather, Caleb Purtlebaugh, Brent Winner, and Dr. Ted Switzer (NA21NMF4330505) | $524,885 |
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Development of a Juvenile Survey and Recruitment Indices in the U.S. South Atlantic - Synopsis: This proposed study focuses on providing annual estimates of juvenile abundance (recruitment) and distribution of federally-managed fish species in the South Atlantic using two primary data sources: a novel juvenile-specific fishery-independent survey and existing fishery-independent surveys (i.e. CTS and SERFS). The new juvenile survey will be designed in light of the identified gaps in spatial and life stage coverage between the CTS and SERFS. In addition, we will examine the appropriateness of two standardized gear types. A small-mesh trap and vertical hook and line are likely to be useful for a juvenile survey due to their ability to be used in a variety of bottom habitats and depths. The second source of information to be used are catches and efforts from existing standardized trawl and trap sampling. We will examine these existing time series for data availability for juvenile stages within their full catches and utilize common standardization techniques to develop indices of abundance and identify significant covariates. Juvenile surveys provide information on essential habitats for the early stages of managed species unlikely to be encountered by the fishery, indicate recruitment, can be used to ground truth predictive dispersal models, and provide a much more comprehensive understanding of growth, reproduction, and population dynamics for targeted species. PIs: Dr. Tracey Smart and Dr. Walter Bubley (NA21NMF4330506) | $504,310 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Title: Genetic Stock Structure of Mutton Snapper - Synopsis: This project will exploit genomic methods to provide a robust assessment of genetic variation, gene flow, and local adaptation of mutton snapper populations in the Caribbean and Southeastern United States. Mutton snapper juveniles will be sampled during two consecutive years in conjunction with Fisheries-Independent Monitoring programs implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in South Florida (Gulf and East coasts) and commercial fishermen along the coasts of Puerto Rico, and those of the islands of St Croix and St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Reference samples from the southern Gulf and Caribbean region which are potential sources of migrants to U.S. waters will also be analyzed by the project team using the same markers in order to assess the connectivity of US stocks with these populations. PI: Dr. Eric Saillant (NA21NMF4330507) | $333,836 |
| University of Florida | Title: Reproductive Potential of Gray Snapper in Spawning Aggregations in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico - Synopsis: The specific objectives of this study are to quantify the reproductive parameters of Gray Snapper in full-moon, spawning aggregations off the west coast of Florida by modeling the total, potential annual egg production (fecundity) of Gray Snapper on an age-specific and a size-specific basis. We will determine the duration and peak of the spawning season and estimate the age- and size-specific spawning fraction of females, which gives us the proportion of females spawning each day. We will then use the inverse of the spawning fraction to get an estimate of the number of days between spawning events for females. Dividing the duration of the spawning season by the number of days between spawning events will then give us an estimate of the number of times a female spawns during the spawning season. We will then estimate the batch fecundity, or the number of eggs released during each spawning event, and multiple it by the number of times a female spawns during the season to get the total annual fecundity or egg production of the females. From our collections of females in spawning aggregations we will estimate whether they are mature or immature based on microscopic evaluation of their ovarian tissue. We will then model the maturity of the fish as a function of their age and size to determine the contemporary sexual maturity of Gray Snapper. Finally, we will tag Gray Snapper while in their offshore full-moon spawning aggregations and release them with their subsequent recapture by fishers. The location of recaptures by time of year will allow us to determine the geographical source of Gray Snapper drawn into the offshore spawning migrations. PI: Dr. Debra Murie (NA21NMF4330508) | $443,670 |
2019
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Making Full Use of Biological Samples: Obtaining Age and Reproductive Information for Reef Fish Species from Previously Obtained Samples - Synopsis: Researchers will obtain critical life history information from 13 different species obtained from previously-collected biological samples, including increment count, edge type, and quality measures from aging structures, as well as sex, maturity/reproductive phase, and fecundity from reproductive tissues. These age and reproductive tissues spanning 1973-2017 were collected using a combination of fishery-independent and fishery-dependent means. The species to be examined include eight (Blueline Tilefish, Gray Triggerfish, Hogfish, Red Snapper, Scamp, Tilefish, Vermilion Snapper, and White Grunt) expressly identified as priority species in the South Atlantic in MARFIN Program Priority 3 (Fisheries). The remaining species represent stocks that are scheduled to undergo an assessment within the next four years (Black Sea Bass, Gag, Red Grouper, Red Porgy, and Snowy Grouper). We propose to obtain final age information for 45,979 individuals, reproductive sex and phase for 27,890 individuals, and fecundity estimates for 713 individuals of these species. PI: Dr. Walter Bubley and David Wyanski (NA19NMF4330231) | $503,686 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Assessing the efficacy of mobile- and stationary-camera surveys to evaluate reef fish relative abundance and size distribution along with associated habitats on the West Florida Shelf - Synopsis: Researchers will conduct a pilot study on the West Florida Shelf designed to compare habitat-specific relative abundance and size composition of economically-important reef fishes utilizing two stereo-video methods: towed- and stationary-camera systems. Sampling will be conducted on randomly-selected sites representing habitats of varying complexity across a broad depth range (20 – 110m); sites will initially be mapped and classified using side-scan sonar. All sites will be sampled with both towed and stationary cameras; the towed-camera system will run a series of cross-shelf transects while the stationary-camera system will be deployed on specific coordinates along an identical transect. Habitat-specific estimates of abundance and size composition will be quantified from both towed- and stationary-camera surveys; reef fish assemblage structure, as well as species-specific abundance and size composition, will be compared to quantify the respective advantages and limitations of each sampling approach. Multibeam data will be collected in conjunction with the towed-camera survey; these data will facilitate direct comparisons with co-located side scan sonar data to calibrate habitat classification methods between the two mapping approaches. Habitat data from stationary cameras, representing high-resolution discrete habitat assessments, will also be compared with broad-scale habitat assessment as determined from the towed camera. PI: Sean Keenan and Dr. Ted Switzer (NA19NMF4330232) | $326,652 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Monitoring the For-Hire Recreational Fishery in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico with At-Sea Observers to Support Long-Term Data Needs for Regional Stock Assessments - Synopsis: Researchers will conduct three-years of fishery-dependent monitoring, in cooperation with the recreational charter industry on the west coast of Florida, to provide data that are identified by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council as critical for stock assessments (GMFMC 2015; SEDAR 2017). Specifically, this study will utilize fishery observers to monitor fishing practices used to harvest and release important managed species in the for-hire recreational hook-and-line fisheries, and characterize species compositions and size distributions of retained and discarded portions of the catch with respect to depth and latitude. This study will also monitor movement and relative survival of discards released under various conditions through the use of mark-recapture methods, and collect biological samples from landed fish, including age structures, genetic samples, and gonadal tissues. The study area includes waters adjacent to over 400 miles of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline, from the northern panhandle of Florida through central and southern portions of the peninsula. PI: Beverly Sauls and Oscar Ayala (NA19NMF4330233) | $505,868 |
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Expansion of a fishery-independent, deep-water snapper-grouper survey to optimize abundance and life history information provided to stock assessments in the South Atlantic region - Synopsis: This project expands a long-term, fishery-independent, deep-water snapper-grouper survey to the regional scale to provide improved relative abundance, length and age composition, and life history data for economically and ecologically valuable species off the southeast U.S. Atlantic coast. The expansion of the deep-water SBLL survey to the full regional scale will utilize information provided by the fishing industry and fishery-independent surveys to identify locations of target habitats currently not sampled by the survey (particularly Georgia and Florida), deploy reconnaissance SBLL and video cameras at these sites to confirm habitat, and add these confirmed sites to the survey’s universe of available stations. In subsequent years, randomly-selected stations from the universe will be sampled using standard protocols. In addition to the expansion of the current deep-water SBLL survey universe, researchers will examine two potential methods for converting the survey from a simple random design to a stratified random design using depth and habitat type to allot effort. Observations of bottom topography and habitat types from underwater video will be used to classify the habitat type of current SBLL stations and those that are added to the universe, allowing researchers to quantify the relative contribution of habitat types along the regional and depth distributions of the survey and develop an appropriate stratification scheme if needed. Once habitat types at stations are determined, historical and current SBLL catch data will be analyzed to examine the impact of depth and habitat type on index of abundance, length and age composition, and life history of species commonly encountered in the survey such as jacks, Snowy Grouper, and tilefishes. Results from these analyses will inform if or how to stratify the survey design and optimal sample size in future years. A fully-vetted and expanded fishery-independent survey design to address data needs for deep-water snapper-grouper in the South Atlantic region is the expected conclusion to this work. PI: Dr. Tracey Smart (NA19NMF4330234) | $503,858 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Developing indices of relative abundance and size/age composition for the assessment of Red Snapper and other reef fishes in the U.S. South Atlantic using data from a fishery-independent hooked-gear survey - Synopsis: Conduct a three-year study off the east coast of Florida to assess the utility of a standardized hooked-gear survey in characterizing the relative abundance and size/age composition of Red Snapper and other federally-managed reef fishes through time. Surveys will be conducted in NMFS statistical zones 722, 728, and 732 from roughly Melbourne, FL to the FL-GA border on identified hard bottom habitats in water depths less than 150 m. Sampling will be conducted between April – July of each year, which corresponds to peak Red Snapper spawning within the region, months of highest Red Snapper CPUE and will facilitate comparisons to past surveys conducted by FWC. Overall sampling effort (240 sites/year) will be stratified by NMFS statistical zone, depth, and allocated proportionally based on the total number of potential reef sites within each area. Project results will be integrated with historical FWC hooked-gear data to develop an index of abundance along with associated size/age composition for Red Snapper and other federally-managed reef fish for use in upcoming stock assessments. Although the focus of this project is on Red Snapper, researchers anticipate developing indices and collecting demographic data for other managed reef fishes (e.g., Black Sea Bass, Vermilion Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, Red Porgy, and Gag). PI: Russell Brodie (NA19NMF4330235) | $498,002 |
| North Carolina State University | Title: Development and application of a management strategy evaluation tool: tradeoffs between the management objective of recreational and commercial fisheries - Synopsis: This study will address this need by developing and applying a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) tool that includes both MSY-based and catch-rate-based management strategies, fishery quota allocation, and projection of users’ behavioral response to changes in the fishery. This MSE tool allows the managers to 1) evaluate the performance of catch-rate-based management strategy for recreational fishing, 2) examine the outcomes of various management measures, e.g., size limit, bag limit, fishing season, 3) identify the management strategy most likely to achieve the management objectives, 4) balance the tradeoffs between commercial and recreational fisheries, and 5) forecast the expected change in fishing behavior (fishing participation) to changes in the fishery. The developed MSE tool will be applied to two fisheries in the Southeast US Atlantic region that have different percentages of recreational landings, the black sea bass fishery in which both commercial and recreational sectors are important, and the dolphin fishery in which recreational landings dominate the total harvest. For the application to black sea bass, focus will be on exploring alternative catch allocation strategies and balancing the tradeoffs between commercial and recreational fisheries. For the application to dolphin, the performances of management alternatives, i.e., catch-rate-based management strategy and traditional MSY-based management will be evaluated. This project will result in a general MSE tool that can potentially be used in many fisheries and provides opportunities to increase the likelihood of meeting management objectives of both commercial and recreational fisheries. PI: Dr. Jie Cao (NA19NMF4330236) | $121,756 |
2018
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | Title: Conservation Genomics and Caribbean Fisheries Management: Stock Structure and Connectivity of Four Parrotfish Species and the Role of MPAs as Recruitment Sources - Synopsis: Genomics will be used to examine genetic variation at thousands of loci in order to: 1) Determine the population structure and connectivity for four species of parrotfishes across US Caribbean waters; 2) Conduct analyses of parentage/sibling relationships and estimate effective population sizes; and 3) Examine the role that MPAs in PR and USVI play as potential zones for source populations. In this study, we will use restriction-site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing in order to discover thousands of SNPs for each of the four parrotfish species. It is hypothesized that with this greater number of polymorphic loci that fine-scale population structure can be detected and accurate estimates of important population parameters such as relatedness and effective population size (Ne) can be calculated. PI: Dr. Virginia Shervette (NA18NMF4330239) | $505,411 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Spawning aggregations and sex-specific reproductive potential in gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico: Improving stock assessment inputs - Synopsis: The Gulf SSC review of the latest gag stock assessment highlighted the need to better understand the stock’s reproductive potential and the role of male abundance. To meet this need we will extend current efforts to estimate fecundity-at-age and determine spatio-temporal patterns of sex change and sex ratio to include Steamboat Lumps and the Sticky Grounds and develop a simulation framework to assess how varying measures of reproductive potential affect fishery management reference points. Results from this study will provide empirical data needed for the assessment and management of Gulf gag. PI: Dr. Susan Lowerre-Barbieri, Dr. Luis Barbieri, Dr. Ted Switzer (NA18NMF4330240) | $520,732 |
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Filling Critical Data Gaps Impeding the Assessment of the North Atlantic Stock of Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) - Synopsis: Researchers that will use existing samples with newly collected ones to fill in areas of management concern pertaining to Wreckfish life history and demographics. They propose to process and age approximately 5,200 archived Wreckfish otolith samples that are currently part of the SCDNR Reef Fish Survey specimen archive to create a robust length-at-age data set. The remaining samples will be collected through collaboration with the industry via port sampling efforts to collect smaller Wreckfish samples to fill in missing early life history information on reproduction and growth. All data will be used to characterize the length/age compositions and sex ratios of the commercial Wreckfish fishery. PI: Dr. Walter Bubley (NA18NMF4330241) | $151,612 |
| Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi | Title: Population Structure, Connectivity, and Life History of Three Exploited Groupers (Family Serranidae) in the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico - Synopsis: Researchers will use a high-resolution genomics approach to 1) assess stock structure, connectivity and genetic demography of three exploited grouper species (yellowedge grouper, red grouper, speckled hind) in U.S. waters of the South Atlantic and northern Gulf of Mexico and in Mexican waters of the southern Gulf of Mexico, 2) assess life-history parameters in all three species using a regional sampling scheme that complements the genomic sampling design, and 3) asses for correlations between biological variables (growth, size-at-age, etc.) and both genetically defined population suture and potentially adaptive variation. PI: Dr. David Portnoy, Dr. Shannon O'Leary (NA18NMF4330242) | $346,978 |
| Old Dominion University | Title: Hurricane Irma Supplemental Request: Aging Caribbean Spiny Lobster for Stock Assessment - Synopsis: Researchers will test in a laboratory experiment the potential confounding effects of temperature, injury, and growth rate on the deposition of growth bands in the eyestalk and gastric mill of Panulirus argus. They will experimentally manipulate the environment (i.e., seawater temperature and food availability) of juvenile P. argus reared in the laboratory and the occurrence of injuries to lobsters so as to evaluate the potential confounding effect of these factors on the deposition of growth bands in calcified structures. PI: Dr. Mark Butler (NA18NMF4330243) | $74,208 |
2017
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Title: Discard mortality and the efficacy of descender devices in reducing discard mortality of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)in the Gulf of Mexico recreational hook-and-line fishery - Synopsis: Greater amberjack and potential greater amberjack predators at two natural hard-bottom reef sites in the northern GOM will be externally tagged with acoustic acceleration sensors in spring and summer. The acceleration over time (swimming behavior) for all tagged fish will be recorded by acoustic receivers every 1 to 3 minutes for the duration of each 30-day acoustic study. Acceleration time series data will be analyzed using recently developed analytical methods to identify unique swimming behavior which can be used to assign each individual tagged fish to one of four potential fates: survival, mortality (no predation), mortality (consumed by predator), and emigrated from acoustic array (censored). Fates data will be used to quantify the effects of explanatory variables such as release method (via descender device or at the surface), depth of capture, environmental parameters (season, water temperature, air temperature), time out of water, fight time, and fish condition on an individual's probability of survival. PI: Dr. Sean Powers (NA17NMF4330316) | $333,002 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Title: Genetic stock assessment of gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) - Synopsis: A genomic approach will be employed to provide a robust assessment of spatial genetic variation, gene flow, and local adaptation of gray snapper populations in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions. The obtained data will be used to build a model of genetic stock structure in support of assessment and management efforts. Gray snapper from two cohorts will be sampled in conjunction with surveys of coastal fisheries from South Texas to South Carolina in order to cover comprehensively the species range in the Southeastern United States. Sampling will also include reference samples from the southern Gulf and upper Caribbean regions allowing assessing the connectivity of U.S. stocks with these populations. A draft genome sequence and a linkage map will be generated and used to characterize Single Nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci segregating in gray snapper populations using a genotyping by sequencing methodology. Neutral genetic variation will be analyzed in the two sampled cohorts to test whether barriers to gene flow (genetic discontinuities) exist within the sampled range and to characterize dispersal and isolation by distance. The occurrence of genetic adaptation of geographic populations and/or of the different demographic units identified during the analysis of neutral variation will also be tested using data from the two cohorts. PI: Dr. Eric Saillant (NA17NMF4330317) | $275,447 |
| University of South Florida | Title: Using multivariate ecological time-series models to improve our understanding and assessment of the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem - Synopsis: This project will supply scientific facts essential to address NOAA’s directive of implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s desire to apply ecosystem-approaches to single-species management challenges. Our goal is to improve our ability to protect, restore, and sustain the Gulf’s living marine resources, while balancing competing stakeholder interest. This project goes beyond previous efforts based on exploratory methods by applying state-of-the-art analytical tools—specifically designed to model multivariate ecological time-series data—in a fisheries management context. We will provide: (1) a comprehensive review of the current suite of indicators supplied by NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) program’s Ecosystem Status Report (ESR) for the Gulf of Mexico; (2) an extensive understanding of the temporal patterns inherent in those data; (3) a description of key changes occurring in the ecosystem state over time; and (4) an identification of the most important anthropogenic and environmental drivers of that change. PI: Dr. David Jones (dec), Dr. Joshua Kilborn (NA17NMF4330318) | $524,106 |
| Emory University | Title: Federal regulatory impact on Southeastern crews and processor employees: A pilot study - Synopsis: This pilot project will: (1) develop and assess methods for gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data on the characteristics of crew in commercial and for-hire fishing vessels in the Southeastern United States, and (2) analyze the impact of fisheries regulation on crew employment patterns and well-being (measured from social, economic and health perspectives). This project will focus on the small, relatively homogenous area of the Savannah River region (Chatham County, GA, Jasper County, SC, and Beaufort County, SC) with the goal of developing research instruments, protocols for data gathering and analysis and interpretation methods. Once these methods are developed and tested, we plan to rapidly expand this project across broader areas of the Southeastern United States. PI: Dr. Tracy Yandle (NA17NMF4330319) | $108,788 |
2016
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Title: Development of a direct-aging technique for Gulf and South Atlantic Spiny Lobster for age-based stock assessment - Synopsis: The proposed project will 1) evaluate the presence of growth bands in the eyestalk and gastric mill of Panulirus argus that vary in size and known age, and develop an accurate and precise method of estimating age, 2) test in a laboratory experiment the potential confounding effects of temperature, injury, and growth rate on the deposition of growth bands in the eyestalk and gastric mill of P. argus, 3) use the technique to examine the size-age population structure of lobsters in US Gulf and Atlantic waters of interest, including comparisons of populations whose size-age structure may differ due to regional differences in life history and environmental conditions, and 4) conduct a workshop for fishery managers, technical staff, and scientists to train them in the use of the newly developed growth band ageing technique for P. argus. PI: Dr. Mark Butler (NA16NMF4330160) | $264,333 |
| Texas A&M University - Galveston | Title: Life History and Population Structure of Snowy and Warsaw Grouper in US Waters - Synopsis: This study will comprehensively investigate the life history and population structure of Snowy and Warsaw in US waters by coupling three distinct but complementary research components: 1) geochemical and genetic approaches to determine the population structure and connectivity of Snowy and Warsaw from four regions (South Atlantic, northwestern [NW], northcentral [NC], and northeastern [NE] Gulf of Mexico); 2) age validation (bomb radiocarbon dating) coupled with the development of age-length keys for both species in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, and 3) histological examination to estimate several key reproductive parameters including sex ratios, maturity, the proportion of active spawners (i.e., spawning fraction) by age and size class, and spawning seasonality. PI: Dr. Jay Rooker, Dr. Ron Eytan (NA16NMF4330161) | $393,520 |
| South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Title: Population Demographics, Population Structure, and Genetic Diversity of Scamp in the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico - Synopsis: This research will leverage existing and newly-collected samples to evaluate temporal changes in population demographics (e.g., age and sex composition) and genetic diversity within the Western Atlantic. Additionally, Population structure between Gulf of Mexico and Western Atlantic Scamp will be examined. Previous population genetic analysis indicated no significant genetic structure across the species range, but this assessment relied on a small number of marker loci (Zatcoff et al. 2004). To expand the available genetic tools for this research, researchers will attempt to amplify at least 20 microsatellite markers, originally developed for other epinephrine grouper species, in Scamp. They will use all polymorphic microsatellite loci identified (i.e., amplified), including a subset of those used by Zatcoff et al. (2004), to better characterize genetic differentiation across the species’ range, providing a more thorough assessment of Scamp genetic structure which could have substantial impacts on fishery management actions. Additionally, they will update previous assessments of demographic and life history patterns in Scamp, using otoliths collected through SouthEast Reef Fish Survey (SERFS) sampling efforts. Population demographic analyses will examine changes in size and age at maturity, as well as the size, age, and sex composition of the population, over time. Finally, using otolith-aged specimens, genetic diversity and effective population size through time in Western Atlantic Scamp collections will be evaluated. PI: Dr. Tanya Darden, Dr. John Robinson (NA16NMF4330162) | $172,897 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Representative Biological Sampling of Recreational Harvest on the East Coast of Florida to Improve Stock Assessments in the South Atlantic - Synopsis: This project will collect basic biological data for recreationally important reef fishes and associated species that are statistically valid and representative of landed catch across 580 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Coast of Florida that represents roughly half of the coastline in the South Atlantic. Through this large-scale study, researchers will evaluate the feasibility of a dedicated fishery-dependent sampling program to collect biological data necessary for improving stock assessments that may be considered for region-wide implementation to supplement existing monitoring programs. PI: Ms. Beverly Sauls (NA16NMF4330163) | $517,401 |
| University of Puerto Rico | Title: Assessing the efficacy of the Mona Island, Puerto Rico No-take MPA, with emphasis on the recovery of fish communities and grouper spawning aggregations - Synopsis: The efficacy of the Mona NTZ will be assessed in three ways. (1) Densities and size structures will be obtained from diver-based visual census surveys of fishery species, with sample allocation statistically optimized by depth, habitat and area. Temporal trends and temporal variation at the Mona NTZ will be compared to those at La Parguera, an area open to fishing. (2) For red hind, the year-round protection of the Mona spawning stock will be assessed by comparing red hind densities/size structures both outside the aggregation time and during the aggregation peak(s), and these will be compared to similar data from 2007-2009. (3) Attempts will be made to locate additional sites of grouper spawning aggregations, based on fisher-interviews, so that targeted enforcement and assessments can be done. PI: Dr. Juan Cruz (NA16NMF4330164) | $349,985 |
2015
| Agency | Project | Federal Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Mote Marine Laboratory | Title: Integration of acoustic methods for monitoring fish spawning aggregations using goliath grouper as a model species - Synopsis: This study will survey fish spawning aggregation sites using both active and passive acoustic methods simultaneously to leverage the information each can provide separately. The pairing of passive and active approaches will generate an index for determining relative abundance and grouper biomass based on sound production. This novel approach has the potential to provide a low-cost monitoring opportunity that can be deployed and left unattended for long periods of time. Our efforts will focus mainly on documented goliath grouper aggregation sites on the Florida Atlantic coast near Jupiter and off Lee County on the Gulf coast, but we will also target a shelf edge Marine Protected Area that represents a different habitat and set of species. Because we will be combining existing, proven methods we will generate all the quality data from each independently, including aggregation frequency, duration, densities of fishes, etc. but we are most excited about the interactions between data types that we expect will provide new insight into population dynamics of spawning aggregation sites. PI: Dr. John Hoenig (NA15NMF4330152) | $306,921 |
| Virginia Institute of Marine Science | Title: Assessment of maturity in commercially and recreationally important reef fishes from the U.S. Virgin Islands - Synopsis: This project will obtain dockside and market samples of the commercial catch of 13 species of reef fishes in the US Virgin Islands to obtain length and weight frequency information and biological samples (gonads, otoliths) for determination of age, sex and maturity. Maturity will be determined using morphometric and histological assessment. Samples will be collected at least three times in year 1 and as needed in year 2. The information will be used to estimate the sex ratio and the maturity of the commercial catch in the USVI. Seasonal aspects of reproduction will also be determined by enlisting fishers in a notebook program for recording observations of reproductive activity; this information will be verified by catch sampling. The project will be integrated with complementary projects to provide otoliths for aging the catch, obtain additional specimens of gonads for expanding the size range examined outside that observed in the commercial fishery, and estimate the maturity of the recreational catch. PI: Dr. John Hoenig (NA15NMF4330153) | $332,489 |
| University of Florida Board of Trustees | Title: Is the BOFFF (Big Old Fat Fecund Female) hypothesis applicable to Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack? - Synopsis: The recipient will sample females (identified through non-lethal sex determination) from off the coast of Louisiana, which is known to be a major spawning region for Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack. Sampling will be done for 5 days each month in each of the spawning season months of January to June for 2 years. This will allow them to determine the duration of the spawning season and the daily spawning fraction (hence the spawning frequency), on an age-specific basis. The recipient will also estimate age-specific fecundity, which in combination with spawning duration and frequency will allow them to estimate total potential annual fecundity of greater amberjack on an age-specific basis. The effect of female condition (the “Fatter” factor) on the size and quality of her eggs, used as proxies for successful survival of larvae and recruitment, will be examined by measuring oocyte size, caloric density and %fat of both the female and her eggs on an age-specific basis. Finally, they will apply the age-specific reproductive parameters to an age/size-structured population model to evaluate the use of a harvest-size slot limit, aimed at reducing fishing mortality on the BOFFFs, compared to a minimum size limit, and evaluate the effects of these harvest regulations on the fisheries yield. PI: Dr. Debra Murie (NA15NMF4330154) | $334,206 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Title: Is low male abundance limiting stock productivity? Assessing factors affecting reproductive potential of gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, in the Gulf of Mexico - Synopsis: The recent Gulf SSC review of the latest gag stock assessment highlighted the need to better understand the stock’s reproductive potential and the role of male abundance. To meet this need the recipient will estimate fecundity-at-age, evaluate the accuracy of sex determination methods and determine Spatio-temporal patterns of sex change and sex ratio of gag on the West Florida Shelf. Specifically, they will estimate batch fecundity, spawning frequency and sex ratio from identified spawning habitats, test a range of sex determination methods, including: external pigmentation, macroscopic gonad appearance, microscopic assessment of tissue, and histological analysis of ovarian biopsies and gonad sections. Results from this study will provide empirical data needed for the assessment and management of Gulf gag. PI: Dr. Susan Lowerre-Barbieri (NA15NMF4330155) | $495,555 |
| University of South Carolina | Title: Filling critical life history information gaps of data-poor fisheries in U.S. Caribbean waters: Age, growth, and reproduction of queen triggerfish and four species of parrotfish - Synopsis: This study will provide basic life history information on five understudied fisheries species (Queen Triggerfish, Redtail Parrotfish, Stoplight Parrotfish, Redfin Parrotfish, and Princess Parrotfish), specifically investigating age-at-size, age-at-maturity, and other life-history parameters in U.S. Caribbean waters. PI: Dr. Virginia Shervette (NA15NMF4330157) | $476,268 |