This document discusses the calculation of acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for tier 3 Gulf of Mexico reef fish species using historical landings data. It notes that recreational landings estimates have been recalculated using MRIP data from 2004-2011, which are considered the best available scientific data. ABCs are recalculated based on these MRIP data for several species and species groups, including shallow-water grouper, deep-water grouper, tilefishes, jacks, and mid-water snapper. Changes to the ABCs are expected to minimally impact recreational fishing but could affect allowable commercial harvest.

1. Acceptable Biological Catch calculations for
Tier 3 Gulf of Mexico reef fish species
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
SSC Meeting August 2013
ABC Calculations 1/31

2. Background
MSA reathorization requires specification of
ABCs, ACLs, AMs for federally managed
stocks*
Implemented in Generic ACL Amendment
(GMFMC 2011)
Many stocks/species without stock
assessment (i.e., data poor)
ABCs for Tier 3 stocks set using historical
landings
Commercial
For-hire
Recreational
ABC Calculations 2/31

3. Data Improvements
Recreational data improved since
implementation of Generic ACL Amendment
(i.e., MRFSS –> MRIP)
Recreational landings estimates have been
re-estimated (MRIP program) 2004 - 2011
MRFSS (1986 - 2003) adjusted using MRIP
ratio estimators (MRIP Calibration
Workshop)
Commercial, headboat, and TPWD data
updated based on additional QA/QC
Data-poor ABCs and OFLs should be
re-calculated based on MRIP
ABC Calculations 3/31

4. MRIP Data 2004 - present
Objective: To provide more detailed, timely,
and reliable estimates of marine recreational
fishing catch and effort
MRIP estimates are available from 2004 -
present. These represent the best available
scientific data
This Amendment considers MRIP data from
2004-2008 to maintain consistent
methodology with Generic ACL Amendment
ABC Calculations 4/31

5. MRIP (1986 - 2003) = Recalibrated MRFSS
MFRSS historical data calibrated to MRIP
using ratio estimators
Methodology developed by SEFSC-SERO
group (August 2012) based on MRIP
workgroup recommendations
Apply ratio estimators based on ratio of means to
hind cast catch and variance estimates (1986 -
2003)
Developed MRIP/MRFSS ratio estimator using
MRIP and MRFSS data (2004 - 2011)
Hindcast catch and variance (1986 - 2003)
Ratios applied at each stratum (e.g., stock,
sub-region, year, wave)
Mean weights assigned to strata using SEFSC
weight estimation procedure
ABC Calculations 5/31

6. Ratio estimates
Apply ratio estimators based on ratio of means to hind
cast catch and variance estimates (1986 - 2003)
Ratios were applied at each stratum (species,
sub-region, year, wave, state, mode, and area) to the
A, B1, and B2 estimates and variances
1
1
when available, else use stock and subregion, stock
ABC Calculations 6/31

7. Overview of ABC Calculations
Used ABC control rule tier 3a
OFL = mean + 2 sd of annual landings
ABC = mean + 1 sd of annual landings
Same time series as specified in GMFMC
2011
Some species managed in groups (e.g.,
shallow-water grouper) established in
GMFMC 2011
ABC Calculations 7/31

8. Applicable Stocks
Species groups Individual species
Shallow-water grouper Gray snapper
Deep-water grouper Lane snapper
Tilefishes Cubera snapper
Jacks complex Hogfish
Mid-water snapper
ABC Calculations 8/31

9. MRFSS and MRIP Results
Shallow-water grouper: Black grouper*, scamp, yellowmouth grouper,
yellowfin grouper (* = assessed species)
Deep-water grouper: Yellowedge grouper*, warsaw grouper, snowy
grouper, speckled hind
Tilefishes: Golden Tilefish, blueline tilefish, goldface tilefish
Jacks: Almaco jack, banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack
Mid-water Snapper: Silk, blackfin, queen snappers, wenchman
ABC Calculations 9/31

10. MRFSS and MRIP Comparisons
ABC Calculations 10/31

11. Summary
Changes do not affect allowable recreational
effort
Changes do affect allowable commercial
harvest
Minimal impacts expected given the
small percent changes
MRIP may provide "official" re-estimates
prior to 2003 and thus may require additional
calibration
Consideration of other methods to establish
ABCs and ACLs for data-poor stocks may be
appropriate
ABC Calculations 11/31

12. Scamp
ABC Calculations 12/31

13. Yellowmouth Grouper
ABC Calculations 13/31

14. Yellowfin Grouper
ABC Calculations 14/31

15. Warsaw Grouper
ABC Calculations 15/31

16. Snowy Grouper
ABC Calculations 16/31

17. Speckled Hind
ABC Calculations 17/31

18. Golden Tilefish
ABC Calculations 18/31

19. Blueline Tilefish
ABC Calculations 19/31

20. Goldface Tilefish
ABC Calculations 20/31

21. Almaco Jack
ABC Calculations 21/31

22. Banded Rudderfish
ABC Calculations 22/31

23. Lesser Amberjack
ABC Calculations 23/31

24. Silk Snapper
ABC Calculations 24/31

25. Wenchman
ABC Calculations 25/31

26. Blackfin snapper
ABC Calculations 26/31

27. Queen snapper
ABC Calculations 27/31

28. Gray snapper
ABC Calculations 28/31

29. Lane snapper
ABC Calculations 29/31

30. Cubera snapper
ABC Calculations 30/31

31. Hogfish
ABC Calculations 31/31