April 22, 2023

Research & Monitoring Activities

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Overview

• Research— Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)/Scientific Research

Permits (SRPs) — Selected Research (HMS & SEFSC)— Grants and Contracts (HMS & SEFSC)

• Surveys & Monitoring• Database overview

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Research Activities Conducted Under HMS EFPs, and SRPs, (March 2010)

Species Permit Number Research

HMS EFP 1 Closed area research extension

Sharks EFP 7 Sampling prohibited & undersize sharks from comm & rec landings (tournaments); tagging of sharks; sampling SCS for life history studies; collection of shortfin makos

Sharks SRP 1 Fishery independent survey

Tuna EFP 3 Tagging BFT & YFT; sampling BFT

Billfish EFP 1 Collect billfish larvae and tag billfish

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Selected Research

• FEC/Charleston Bump Pelagic Longline EFP

—Purpose: To collect baseline data and assist NMFS in determining the efficacy of time/area closures under current fishery conditions

—Design: 2 boats, 289 sets, 500 hooks per set; ½ sets in closed areas, ½ sets outside; 100% observer coverage

—Status: Research program timing extended through Sept. 2010

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PLL Closed Area ResearchResults Feb. 2008 – Jan. 2010

• Trips completed: 14 in 2008; 13 in 2009; 1 in 2010.• 148 sets completed: 35 Charleston Bump closed area; 48 Florida East Coast closed area; 65 open areas

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PLL Closed Area ResearchResults Feb. 2008 – Jan. 2010

• No bluefin tuna• Closed Areas

— SWO Kept 990 (142 Released Alive (ra)), 217 Dead Discards (dd))

— BUM 29 (22 ra, 7 dd); WHM 4 (4 ra, 0 dd); SAI 95 (72 ra, 14 dd, 7 kept, 2 lost)

— Sea turtle interactions: Leatherback 3; Loggerhead 0• Open Area

— SWO Kept 301 (38 ra, 75 dd) — BUM 30 (24 ra, 6 dd); WHM 7 (4 ra, 3 dd); SAI 38 (25 ra, 13 dd)— Sea turtle interactions: Leatherback 0; Loggerhead 2

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Grants and Contracts

• Title: Determining the relative proportion of roundscale spearfish and white marlin throughout the Atlantic Ocean -- Grantee: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS); Award Period: From 1 July 2007 through 30 June 2008; extended until June 30, 2010

• Title: Estimating post-release survival of blue marlin caught on J-hooks and circle hooks in the western North Atlantic recreational fishery -- Grantee: VIMS; Award Period: From 1 July 2007 through 30 June 2008; completed June 30, 2009

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Other HMS Monitoring Programs

• Commercial— Pelagic Observer Program— Shark Bottom Longline Observer Program— Shark Gillnet Observer Program— Logbook Reporting Requirements (HMS Logbook)

• Mandatory if selected• Authorized but not implemented for CHB

— Dealer Reports• Recreational

— Recreational Billfish Survey— Non-tournament billfish/swordfish call-in— Automated Landings Reporting System— MD & NC tagging programs— MRFSS/LPS/MRIP Pilot Projects

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Marine Recreational Information Program

• Characterization of Rod & Reel HMS Fisheries in the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Status: Completed Sept. 2009

• Non-Tournament HMS Recreational Landings Reporting for Private Boats in Puerto Rico. Status: Phase 1 completed Jan 2010

• Florida HMS Private Angler Telephone Survey: Status: Final Report in review

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HMS Research Database

• Purpose—To compile published research for Atlantic HMS

• Database—Access database format—User friendly; easy to search (do need to know how to use

Access)• Updated with 2009 information

—Peer-reviewed papers—Technical memorandum—Some Col. Vol. Sci. Pap. papers included (2001-2007 &

2009)—Current SCRS stock assessments—MARFIN/Saltonstall-Kennedy Programs/HMS Grants

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HMS Research Plan

• Develop an integrated research plan for all Atlantic HMS

— Identify current and past research.— Identify current needs for stock assessment and

management— Identify research needs and gaps

• ST in collaboration with HMS Division, SEFSC, NEFSC, and non-agency institutions and researchers.

• Target Completion Date: approximately September 2010

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Discussion

Thank you for your attention

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