Standing, Reef Fish, Socioeconomic and Ecosystem SSC Meeting September 2023

I. Introductions and Adoption of Agenda – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

II. Approval of Verbatim Minutes and Meeting Summary: July 19-20, 2023 – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

III. Scope of Work – Mr. Ryan Rindone

IV. Selection of SSC Representative for the October 23-26, 2023 Gulf Council meeting in Panama City, FL – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

V. Review of Gag Grouper Abundance, Movement, Spawning Behavior, Discard Mortality, and Environmental Influences – Mr. Ryan Rindone (5 hrs)

• a. Presentations
  • i. Gag Observations using Remotely Operated Vehicles on the West Florida Shelf – Dr. Sue Lowerre-Barbieri
  • ii.  Effects of Recreational Catch and Release Angling on the Survival of Gag, and Gear and Strategies Designed to Reduce Barotrauma – Dr. Angela Collins
    • Final Report
  • iii. Age-specific Mortality of Gag from Red Tide on the West Florida Shelf – Dr. Dave Chagaris
  • iv. Discard Mortality of Gag on the West Florida Shelf – Ms. Beverly Saul
    • Background: Fisheries Research
    • Background: Artificial Reef Monitoring
• b. Background: SEDAR 72 Stock Assessment Report (2022)
• c. Background: Gulf SSC Review of SEDAR 72 (2022) – Gulf of Mexico Gag Stock Assessment Report
• d. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

VI. Review: Possible Management Modifications for Gag and Black Grouper – Mr. Ryan Rindone

• a. Presentation
• b. Background: Document
• c. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri
  • i. Recommendations for Reducing Discard Mortality
  • ii. Recommendations about Modifications to Spatial Management
  • iii. Recommendations about Modifications to Seasonal Management
  • iv. Gag Policy Ranking and Gag Policy Ranking Updated

VII. Discussion: SEDAR 94 Florida Hogfish Scope of Work – Mr. Ryan Rindone (½ hour)

• • a. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

VIII. Public Comment – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

• Instructions on how to join Public Comment

IX. Review: Gulf of Mexico Gag Health Check – Dr. Lisa Ailloud and Dr. Katie Siegfried (2 ¼ hrs)

• a. Presentation
  • a. Presentation with Sample Sizes
• b. Fisherman Feedback – Ms. Emily Muehlstein
• c. Background: 2023 Gag Interim Analysis Report
• d. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

X. Review: Vermillion Snapper Interim Analysis – Dr. Francesca Forrestal – (1 hr)

• a. Presentation
• b. Background: G-FISHER: Updated Vermilion Snapper Index
• c. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

XI. Review: Southeast Region Best Scientific Information Available Framework – SEFSC/SERO/Council Staff (2 hrs)

• a. Document
• b. Background: National Standard 2
• c. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

XII. Incorporating Social Science Theory and Methods into Ecosystem Assessments – Dr. David Griffith (1 hr)

• a. Presentation
• b. Background: Publications
  • i. American Anthropologist – Griffith
  • ii. Meeting National Standard 8 – Griffith, Stoffle & Jepson
  • iii. How fisher behavior can bias stock assessment – Saul, Brooks & Die
  • iv. Connecting humans and ecosystems in tropical fisheries
• c. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

XIII. Review: Lane Snapper Updated Catch Analysis – Dr. Francesca Forrestal (¾ hr)

• a. Presentation
• b. SSC Discussion – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

XIV. Public Comment – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

• Instructions on how to join Public Comment

XV. Other Business – Dr. Luiz Barbieri

The established times for addressing items on the SSC agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items.  Such adjustments may result in the meeting being extended from, or completed prior to the date established by this agenda.