Tab B, No. 7 Outline for Development of a State-Federal Cooperative Research Program for Goliath Grouper in Florida Report to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
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- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission January 2007
| Tab B, No. 7
Outline for Development of a State-Federal Cooperative Research Program for Goliath Grouper in Florida Report to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Division of Marine Fisheries Management Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission January 2007 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI) has recently submitted a proposal to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Cooperative Research Program (CRP) requesting federal funds to conduct research to describe habitat associations, size distribution, site fidelity and abundance of goliath grouper in the central-eastern Gulf of Mexico. This work, which is scheduled to begin in July 2007, is to be done in collaboration with commercial and recreational fishers. Summary of the work being proposed to the CRP includes: 1) extensive in situ observations of goliath grouper both inshore and offshore; 2) visual surveys over a stratified range of depths (0-50+ meters) and habitat types (both natural and artificial), and equally distributed across seasons; and, 3) monitoring of tagged fish for examination of goliath grouper abundance, density, size distribution, and site fidelity. Although this work supplements the existing body of knowledge on goliath grouper biology and demographics it still falls short of addressing critical data needs on their life history and population dynamics. For example, size and age at sexual maturity, spatial and temporal distribution of fish by size/age, etc. Accomplishing this would require sacrificing specimens for scientific purposes—especially if these parameters are to be evaluated over a wide range of sizes/ages. To address this issue, FWC-FWRI will work collaboratively with NMFS Southeast Fishery Science Center to develop a joint research program directed at goliath grouper in the South Atlantic and eastern Gulf of Mexico. This research program would include the harvest of a limited number of goliath grouper for scientific purposes. Biological samples collected through this limited harvest program will be used to augment our information base on goliath grouper age, growth, reproduction, and feeding habits. As a first step in planning this program, NMFS stock assessment analysts are working on a precautionary harvest level that would provide an appropriate number of specimens for scientific studies without compromising recovery of the stock. FWC-FWRI scientists will have the opportunity to provide input during the January 2007 joint planning process. Development of a State-Federal goliath grouper research program will improve coordination of goliath grouper research activities being currently conducted or planned by scientists at FWRI, NMFS, and Florida State University, as well as facilitate consistent management of this species in State and Federal waters. Directory: Beta -> GMFMCWeb -> downloads downloads -> Regulatory amendment to the reef fish fishery management plan downloads -> Fishery management plan for the spiny lobster fishery of puerto rico and the u. S. Virgin islands downloads -> Ulf of mexico fishery management council activity report for mississippi department of marine resources downloads -> Ulf of mexico fishery management council activity report for mississippi department of marine resources downloads -> Goliath Grouper Data Workshop Report downloads -> Tab c, no. 4 Rick sounds good to me. I would suggest using the most recent tor wording provided by sedar and making any necessary modifications to that wording. Then we will address at our March 2008 meeting. Gregg From downloads -> Ulf of mexico fishery management council activity report for mississippi department of marine resources downloads -> Gulf of mexico fishery management council activity report for mississippi department of marine resources Download 6.06 Kb. Share with your friends:
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