Seasonal closures of spawning aggregation Seasonal closures of spawning aggregation sites does not guarantee population recovery:sites does not guarantee population recovery:

Anthony R. MarshakAnthony R. Marshak11 and Richard S. Appeldoorn and Richard S. Appeldoorn22

11University of South Alabama/Dauphin Island Sea LabUniversity of South Alabama/Dauphin Island Sea Lab22University of Puerto Rico – Recinto de MayagUniversity of Puerto Rico – Recinto de Mayagüüezez

An assessment of red hind MPAs in Puerto RicoAn assessment of red hind MPAs in Puerto Rico

Red Red Hind (Red Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatusEpinephelus guttatus))

One of Puerto Rico’s most important One of Puerto Rico’s most important commercial and recreational fishescommercial and recreational fishes

Fished up to ~80 m primarily by:Fished up to ~80 m primarily by: Hook-and-lineHook-and-line Fish trapFish trap Spearfishing with SCUBASpearfishing with SCUBA

Like many groupers, red hind are Like many groupers, red hind are characterized by: characterized by: Long lifespans (>15 years)Long lifespans (>15 years) Slow growthSlow growth Protogynous sexual strategy (Female Protogynous sexual strategy (Female Male) Male) Short-term annual spawning aggregationsShort-term annual spawning aggregations

Puerto Rico Red Hind LandingsPuerto Rico Red Hind Landings

Recent grouper landings within PR Recent grouper landings within PR have been much lower than in have been much lower than in previous years.previous years.

More recently, red hind has More recently, red hind has become the most frequently become the most frequently captured grouper species in Puerto captured grouper species in Puerto Rico (Matos-Caraballo Rico (Matos-Caraballo et al.et al. 2006). 2006).

Historically, a major component of Historically, a major component of landings from Puerto Rico W landings from Puerto Rico W insular platform spawning insular platform spawning aggregationsaggregations..

Total landings of groupers reported in Puerto Rico during 1971-1995 (Matos-Caraballo, 1997).

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

YEAR

LA

ND

ING

S (

PO

UN

DS

)

Total landings of red hind reported in Puerto Rico during 1988-2005 (PR Dept. Natural Resources).

Spawning Aggregations (SPAGs)Spawning Aggregations (SPAGs)

Spawning aggregation:Spawning aggregation: ““A group of conspecific fish gathered for the A group of conspecific fish gathered for the

purpose of spawning, with fish densities or purpose of spawning, with fish densities or numbers significantly higher than those found numbers significantly higher than those found in the area of aggregation during the non-in the area of aggregation during the non-reproductive periods.” (Domeier and Colin, reproductive periods.” (Domeier and Colin, 1997)1997)

Red hind short-term annual SPAGs: Red hind short-term annual SPAGs: Found along the edge of insular platforms in Found along the edge of insular platforms in

deeper watersdeeper waters Migrations Migrations

Reproductive benefits of SPAGs overshadowed Reproductive benefits of SPAGs overshadowed by historical targeting, due to their by historical targeting, due to their predictability in space and timepredictability in space and time

Previous studies have shown the population benefits of closing Previous studies have shown the population benefits of closing red hind spawning aggregation sites to fishing in the U.S. red hind spawning aggregation sites to fishing in the U.S.

Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands

“By 1988, the average length of red hind had greatly decreased to 295 mm, and the sex ratio was extremely skewed to 15 females per male, suggesting a heavily fished stock. In 1990, a spawning aggregation closure was implemented.”

Spawning Aggregations - ProtectionSpawning Aggregations - Protection

“By 1997, average size of red hind had increased to 395 mm and sex ratio had shifted to 4 females per male.”

*From Nemeth, 2005

“…the maximum total length of male red hind increased by nearly 7 cm [five years] following permanent closure.”

“Average density and biomass of spawning red hind increased by over 60% following permanent closure, whereas maximum spawning density more than doubled.”

Looks Promising!

“The Red Hind Bank Marine Conservation District was closed permanently in 1999.”

Spawning Aggregations – Puerto RicoSpawning Aggregations – Puerto Rico

Three spawning aggregation sites have been Three spawning aggregation sites have been identified within the EEZ off the west coast of identified within the EEZ off the west coast of Puerto Rico:Puerto Rico: Tourmaline Tourmaline (seasonally closed as of 1993)(seasonally closed as of 1993) Abrir La SierraAbrir La Sierra (seasonally closed as of 1996)(seasonally closed as of 1996) Bajo de CicoBajo de Cico (seasonally closed as of 1996)(seasonally closed as of 1996)

Annual closures during red hind spawning Annual closures during red hind spawning from Dec 1 – Feb 28. from Dec 1 – Feb 28. Biomass buildup/ speculated spawning activity Biomass buildup/ speculated spawning activity

in open periodin open period

No full comprehensive study yet to No full comprehensive study yet to assess the effectiveness of the enacted assess the effectiveness of the enacted closures closures Set out to evaluate responses in the stock Set out to evaluate responses in the stock

prior to and following enactmentprior to and following enactmentWest coast of Puerto Rico and insular

platform up to 100 m

DatasetsDatasets

Fishery-independent dataFishery-independent data SEAMAP-C databaseSEAMAP-C database (1988/89– (1988/89–

2005/06 project years)2005/06 project years) Samples the west coast of Puerto Rico to Samples the west coast of Puerto Rico to

collect standardized information on reef collect standardized information on reef fishesfishes

Hook-and-line and trap sampling at daily Hook-and-line and trap sampling at daily 2x2 nautical mile stations2x2 nautical mile stations

Fishery-dependent data Cabo Rojo- Fishery-dependent data Cabo Rojo- Mayaguez MunicipalitiesMayaguez Municipalities DNER-FRL DNER-FRL Red Hind Commercial Red Hind Commercial

Landings DataLandings Data (1988-2005) (1988-2005)

DNER-FRL DNER-FRL Port-Sampled Red Hind Port-Sampled Red Hind Biostatistical Length DataBiostatistical Length Data (1988-2005) (1988-2005)

Fishery-Independent DataFishery-Independent Data

Quantified:Quantified: Catch per Unit of Effort (CPUE) Catch per Unit of Effort (CPUE)

Total kg red hind per day fished Total kg red hind per day fished Length-frequency distributionsLength-frequency distributions Sex trendsSex trends

Measured per project year and Measured per project year and spawning period (Dec-Mar)spawning period (Dec-Mar) Coast-wideCoast-wide Independently within Independently within

Abrir La SierraAbrir La Sierra, , Bajo de CicoBajo de Cico, , and and TourmalineTourmaline

Cabo Rojo

Mayagüez

Red Hind Average Catch Per Unit Effort - Coast-WideRed Hind Average Catch Per Unit Effort - Coast-Wide

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

CPU

E (K

g/da

y)

Project Year

Spawning Period

Kruskal-Wallis test (p<<0.001)

Nemenyi pair-wise comparisons

1997/98 – Initial increase in project year and spawning period CPUE1997/98 – Initial increase in project year and spawning period CPUE Declines in later years, especially spawning period CPUEDeclines in later years, especially spawning period CPUE

Project year CPUE > spawning period CPUE Project year CPUE > spawning period CPUE

Red Hind Average CPUE - Seasonally Protected SitesRed Hind Average CPUE - Seasonally Protected Sites

0

5

10

15

20

Project Year

CP

UE

(K

g/da

y)

Protected

Unprotected

Red Hind Average CPUE - Seasonally Protected SitesRed Hind Average CPUE - Seasonally Protected Sites

Red Hind Average Length - Coast-WideRed Hind Average Length - Coast-Wide

230

250

270

290

310

330

350

Fork

Len

gth

(mm

)

Project Year

Spawning Period

Kruskal-Wallis test (p<<0.001)

Nemenyi pair-wise comparisons

Significant declines in average length prior to the enactment of closuresSignificant declines in average length prior to the enactment of closures Marginal increases initially following enactmentMarginal increases initially following enactment

Significant increases in later yearsSignificant increases in later years

0

10

20

30

4050

60

70

80

90

Fork Length (mm)

Freq

uen

cy

1988/89 F (n=802)

1988/89 M (n=84)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Fork Length (mm)

Freq

uen

cy

1994/95 F (n=942)

1994/95 M (n=316)

1988/89 – Already signs of overfishing, but more recruits, larger females1988/89 – Already signs of overfishing, but more recruits, larger females 1994/95 – Smaller females and males; few remaining cohorts1994/95 – Smaller females and males; few remaining cohorts

Red Hind Length Frequencies - Coast-WideRed Hind Length Frequencies - Coast-Wide

0

10

20

30

4050

60

70

80

90

Fork Length (mm)

Freq

uen

cy

1988/89 F (n=802)

1988/89 M (n=84)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Fork Length (mm)

Freq

uen

cy

1994/95 F (n=942)

1994/95 M (n=316)

1997/98 – Fewer recruits, but increases in age 5-7 individuals1997/98 – Fewer recruits, but increases in age 5-7 individuals 2005/06 – Mostly few remaining larger females; recruitment limitation?2005/06 – Mostly few remaining larger females; recruitment limitation?

Red Hind Length Frequencies - Coast-WideRed Hind Length Frequencies - Coast-Wide

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Fork Length (mm)

Freq

uen

cy

1997/98 F (n=1310)

1997/98 M (n=245)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Fork Length (mm)

Freq

uen

cy

2005/06 F (n=130)

2005/06 M (n=13)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

CP

UE

(Kg/

trip

)

Project Year

Spawning Period

Fishery-dependent landings data Cabo Rojo-MayaguezFishery-dependent landings data Cabo Rojo-Mayaguez

Kruskal-Wallis test (p<<0.001)

Nemenyi pair-wise comparisons

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Nu

mb

er

of

Fis

hin

g T

rip

s

Project Year

Spawning Period

Decreased nominal CPUE prior to enactment of closuresDecreased nominal CPUE prior to enactment of closures Little increase in CPUE following enactment, but trend maintainedLittle increase in CPUE following enactment, but trend maintained

Small increase in CPUE in later yearsSmall increase in CPUE in later years

Fishery-dependent biostatistical length data Cabo Rojo-Fishery-dependent biostatistical length data Cabo Rojo-MayaguezMayaguez

200

220

240

260

280

300

320

340

360

380

For

k L

engt

h (

mm

)

Project Year

Spawning Period

Kruskal-Wallis test (p<<0.001)

Nemenyi pair-wise comparisons

Increases in average length over timeIncreases in average length over time

Similar length-frequency patterns, with limited incoming recruitsSimilar length-frequency patterns, with limited incoming recruits

ConclusionsConclusions

The results suggest that the closures The results suggest that the closures initially limited further rapid decline initially limited further rapid decline of the Puerto Rico red hind stock.of the Puerto Rico red hind stock.

HoweverHowever, the stock continues to , the stock continues to remain in poor formremain in poor form

Continued fishing in protected areasContinued fishing in protected areas, , increased fishing pressure within increased fishing pressure within previously under-targeted platform previously under-targeted platform regionsregions, , and poor enforcement of and poor enforcement of regulationsregulations have inhibited the long have inhibited the long term effectiveness of the closures.term effectiveness of the closures.

Within the USVI, the Red Hind Bank Marine Conservation Within the USVI, the Red Hind Bank Marine Conservation District is no further offshore than the three protected areas District is no further offshore than the three protected areas and alternative aggregations in Puerto Rico, and alternative aggregations in Puerto Rico, butbut:: Lesser available habitat for red hind outside the MCDLesser available habitat for red hind outside the MCD Increased monitoring of aggregationsIncreased monitoring of aggregations Rougher conditions than along leeward PR=less fishing intensityRougher conditions than along leeward PR=less fishing intensity

Therefore, a more substantial proportion of the USVI Therefore, a more substantial proportion of the USVI population has remained protected from fishing, as population has remained protected from fishing, as compared to that observed in Puerto Rico. compared to that observed in Puerto Rico.

ConclusionsConclusions

The findings suggest that the recovery of red hind in Puerto Rico may The findings suggest that the recovery of red hind in Puerto Rico may be possible, but stock rebuilding will require:be possible, but stock rebuilding will require: Longer time frames Longer time frames Additional restrictions on fishing pressure Additional restrictions on fishing pressure

2004 state waters ban on red hind fishing during spawning season2004 state waters ban on red hind fishing during spawning season 2007 island-wide spawning season prohibition within all state and western federal 2007 island-wide spawning season prohibition within all state and western federal

waterswaters Stricter enforcement of regulationsStricter enforcement of regulations

Continued monitoring, more complete protection of the stock, and Continued monitoring, more complete protection of the stock, and increased public cooperation will hopefully work towards saving and increased public cooperation will hopefully work towards saving and restoring red hind in Puerto Rico restoring red hind in Puerto Rico

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Puerto Rico Dept. Natural and Environmental Puerto Rico Dept. Natural and Environmental Resources Fisheries Research Laboratory StaffResources Fisheries Research Laboratory Staff Ms. Aida Rosario (Director and SEAMAP-C Ms. Aida Rosario (Director and SEAMAP-C

Committee Chairperson)Committee Chairperson) Ms. Nilda Jimenez (SEAMAP-C Data Manager)Ms. Nilda Jimenez (SEAMAP-C Data Manager) Mr. Daniel Matos (Fishery-Dependent Data)Mr. Daniel Matos (Fishery-Dependent Data)

Department of Marine Sciences, UPRMDepartment of Marine Sciences, UPRM Dr. Francisco PagDr. Francisco Pagáánn Michael NemethMichael Nemeth Michelle SchMichelle Schäärerrer

Insight from Dr. Edgardo Ojeda (PR Seagrant) and Insight from Dr. Edgardo Ojeda (PR Seagrant) and Dr. David Mann (U South Florida) during their Dr. David Mann (U South Florida) during their concurrent red hind aggregation studiesconcurrent red hind aggregation studies