Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.M.2.

3 Marine Species - Fish Nassau Grouper

Rev: 19 March 2012

P. BUSH

Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Actinopterygii, Order: Perciformes, Family: Serranidae Genus: Epinephelus, Species: striatus Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus is a large sea bass - a prominent member of the twelve species of groupers reported for the Cayman Islands. Nassau Grouper previously comprised one of the most economically important spawning aggregation based artisanal fisheries in the Caribbean, however, it is now severely over-fished. It ranges from inshore to about 100m, and is to be found in coral reef habitat, mangrove, seagrass and estuarine habitats, from southern Brazil, throughout the Caribbean, western Yucatan, Bahamas, Florida and Bermuda. Status Distribution: Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida, Bahamas, Yucatan Peninsula and throughout the Caribbean to Brazil. Eastern Gulf of Mexico: only off the coast of Yucatan, at Tortugas and off Key West.

For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

Section: 3.M.2.3 Marine Species - Fish - Nassau Grouper

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Conservation: Endangered throughout its range, and locally extinct in many locations, the Nassau Grouper is listed as Endangered A2ad (IUCN Red List, 2008). Of the areas in the Cayman Islands known to have hosted spawning aggregations (SPAGs), only one, Little Cayman West End, still hosts (albeit reduced) reproductively viable numbers. Two sites host remnant aggregations, the reproductive viability of which are unknown (Cayman Brac East End and Twelve Mile Bank NE End). Three sites are considered non-functional (Little Cayman East End and Grand Cayman East End & South West Point). Two other areas of similar geo-morphological and hydrological characteristics are anecdotally reported as historical spawning aggregation sites. Legal: Epinephelus striatus is protected under the Marine Conservation Law (2003 Revision) Section 6(7) &9, and the Marine Conservation (Grouper Spawning Areas) Directives 2003. Under the current Marine Conservation Law, fishing for Nassau Grouper is seasonally prohibited in eight Designated Grouper Spawning Areas DGSA. Nassau Grouper may not be taken by spear, or in any Marine Park area. The legal minimum size for take is 12 inches (30.5cm). Pending legislation, Nassau Grouper would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule II). The Department of Environment and the Marine Conservation Board are the lead bodies for local protection. Natural History As top level predators on the reefs, Nassau Grouper lead a predominantly solitary existence for most of the year. With the onset of the full moons in January and February, individuals migrate to specific locations where they form brief (ca. ten day) broadcast spawning aggregations, spawning en masse. Located off deep shelf promontories, these aggregations represent 100% of the species annual reproductive output. Spawning gives rise to pelagic larvae, which settle out on reefs within 40 days. Nassau Grouper life history characteristics include large size, long-lived, slow-growth, and contracted reproductive period, coupled with high spawning site fidelity. These factors combine to makes this species especially vulnerable to over-exploitation. At seven or eight years of age, most will recruit to spawning aggregations as reproductive adults. The oldest recorded individual was 29 years of age. Anecdotal evidence suggests they may live much longer. Populations have declined an estimated 60% during the past three decades. In the Cayman Islands, spawning aggregations have been fished down to a level such that natural replenishment is inhibited. Associated Habitats and Species for Nassau Grouper ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.M.1 Open Sea 2.M.2 Coral Reefs 2.M.4 Seagrass Beds 2.S.3 Mangrove Current Factors Affecting Nassau Grouper Historical fishing pressure: fishing pressure on spawning aggregations is overwhelmingly responsible for the endangered status of this once prolific species. Historically, thousands of Nassau Grouper were taken annually from SPAG areas by a small but effective local artisanal fishing fleet. Prior to the 2001 discovery of the Little Cayman West End SPAG, catch from these spawning sites had dwindled steadily, becoming insignificant due to overexploitation. The estimated spawning population of the new Little Cayman West End site was more than halved within two seasons, following discovery. This boom and bust dynamic of spawning aggregation fisheries is typified throughout the tropics. In 2004, an eight-year ban on fishing Nassau Grouper in designated SPAGs was legislated in an attempt to maintain the viability of the remaining Little Cayman SPAG, and towards facilitating the potential recovery of remnant SPAGs and associated local stocks. Poaching: as is the case with other protected species, it is likely that some background poaching occurs. Compliance with regulations has, however, generally been good during the first five years of the ban (at least for the five nearshore designated SPAGs), affording an opportunity for reestablishment and replenishment. There is, however, suspected fishing at the 12-Mile Bank site. Current fishing pressure: Nassau Grouper is a species of significant commercial and recreational interest. Individuals are taken primarily by hand-line, fish traps, and spear gun. Cessation of SPAG fishing has afforded the most immediate protection from the decimation of already depleted local stocks, however, the very limited shelf area of the Cayman Islands may mean that grouper populations remain sensitive to the continued lower level harvest of adults outside the spawning season. An attempt to lessen this potential impact was implemented recently, in the form of a ban on the spearing of this species, addressing a method of take regarded as responsible for the majority of take of adults during the non-spawning months. Section: 3.M.2.3 Marine Species - Fish - Nassau Grouper Page: 2 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Southern Stingrays Dasyatis americana Red Lionfish Pterois volitans

 Aesthetic value: Nassau Grouper are considered an iconic species of tropical Atlantic coral reefs. As such, they are an important benchmark for reefs, in attracting dive tourism in the Caribbean. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Nassau Grouper During 19872001, the DoE undertook annual monitoring of the Cayman Islands SPAG fishery. Catch, size of fish, and sex were recorded. Results indicated a strongly significant and steady decrease in both overall catch and individual size over this period. A 1995 a proposal to reduce fishing by 50% went without political support. Subsequent to the 2001 SPAG discovery, and the subsequent unregulated take of fish (approximately 4,000 fish during the spawning seasons of 2001 & 2002), wide-spread public outcry engendered political support for protection. In 2002 legislation for an alternate year fishing strategy dictated that 2003 be a non-fishing year. Calculations showed that with the resumption of fishing in 2004, even with a catch quota of 12 grouper per boat per day, what remained of this SPAG would be decimated. In December 2003, the Marine Conservation Board banned fishing in the DGSAs for a period of 8 years -this representing one reproductive generation of fish. This resulted in the implementation of the current eight-year ban on SPAG fishing. Annual in situ monitoring of the new SPAG by the DoE began in 2002. This research, undertaken in co-operation with the Reef Environmental & Education Foundation REEF, will assess abundance, fish size, and behavioural ecology. Reproductive ecology project: external funding obtained by REEF (through NOAA and organizations such as the Pew Foundation), with in-kind support from the DoE, financed the implementation of an acoustic tracking project to elucidate aspects of Nassau Grouper reproductive ecology around Little Cayman. Similar research has been launched in Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman. All groupers, including Nassau Grouper, are listed as seafood to Avoid under the Cayman Sea Sense education programme. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Nassau Grouper Objectives and targets of this Species Action Plan are based on local and international monitoring and research findings of this species fishery over the past 20 years. OBJECTIVES 1. Ensure long-term stability of local Nassau Grouper populations. 2. Maintain and expand research programmes towards better informing sustainable fisheries management. 3. Ensure sustained support for the conservation of Nassau Groupers through targeted education and awareness. TARGET ongoing ongoing ongoing

Nassau Grouper PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Epinephelus striatus under Schedule II of the National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations. PL4. Depending on status, extend fishing ban in DGSAs for period of another reproductive generation. PL5. Further amend legislation to include Epinephelus striatus on the protected species list. PL6. Establish policy of discouraging Cayman Islands involvement in activities likely to contribute to an increase in pressure on local or regional stocks of threatened marine species e.g. Conch eating contests. SM1. Mark three main East End DGSAs.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 2 1,2,3 1 1 3

CIG DoE DoE MCB MCB DoE DoE DoT NT

DoE CIG CIG DoE CIG CIG CIG CITA SITA

2006 2006 2006 2010 2015 ongoing

Safeguards & Management DoE Page: 3 2009 2

Section: 3.M.2.3 Marine Species - Fish - Nassau Grouper

Nassau Grouper PROPOSED ACTION SM2. Implement stricter enforcement of fishing ban and protection of SPAG sites.

LEAD DoE

PARTNERS MCB

TARGET 2009

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2

SM2. REPORT: (2011) Ban on fishing the Grouper Spawning Aggregations (SPAGs) extended for a further eight years commencing 2011. SM3. Minimize damage to coral reefs by controlling nutrient enrichment and anchor damage. SM4. Minimize damage to seagrass beds in North Sound by controlling dredging. SM5. Subject to RM11, elevate regulations or extend ban as necessary to afford protection at such a level as to facilitate sustainable recreational and subsistence use, and meaningful replenishment of natural stocks. SM6. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. RM1. Continue monitoring SPAG sites, particularly the Little Cayman SPAG, for possible changes in status. RM2. Continue current reproductive ecology projects, to determine status and viability of dormant historical SPAG sites. RM3. Continue current investigations into the recruitment patterns in the Cayman Islands. RM4. Conclude assessment of Little Cayman SPAG. RM5. Commence preliminary investigations into re-starting dormant historical SPAG sites. RM6. Scientific publication of Nassau Grouper programme results. RM7. Conduct mid-term assessment of the effect of fishery closure on fish abundance and size for Little Cayman SPAG. RM8. Determine the spatial ecology of the Little Cayman and Cayman Brac Nassau Grouper populations via acoustic tagging and tracking programme. RM9. Determine extent of larval connectivity to geographically distant populations via genetic research, and also derive likely levels of selfrecruitment from nearshore populations. RM10. Determine levels of recruitment at both population and SPAG levels. RM11. Assess the effectiveness of the eight-year closure of DGSAs to fishing, in order to evaluate any need for extended closure. CP1. Targeted awareness campaign to key sectors of Government and local community. DoE CIG NT 2006 1,2,3 DoE DoE MCB DoE CIG DoP CPA DoE CIG ongoing ongoing 2011 2015 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2,3

Research & Monitoring DoE DoE DoE DoE DoE DoE DoE DoE REEF REEF REEF REEF REEF REEF REEF REEF ongoing ongoing ongoing 2010 2015 ongoing 2008 ongoing 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2 2 1,2 2

DoE DoE DoE MCB DoE MCB

IntC IntC CIG

ongoing ongoing 2011

1,2 1,2 1,2

Communication & Publicity CIG MP ongoing 3

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Nassau Grouper PROPOSED ACTION CP2. Scientific publication of Nassau Grouper programme results. CP3. Raise awareness of sustainable alternatives to threatened fisheries amongst members of the public through involvement with educational programmes e.g. Cayman Sea Sense. CP4. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands.

LEAD DoE NT CIG

PARTNERS REEF DoE DoT CA MP DoE MP NT DoT

TARGET 2008 ongoing 2010

MEETS OBJECTIVE 2,3 2,3 3

References and Future Reading for Nassau Grouper

Burgess, G.H., Smith, S.H. and Lane, E.D. (1994). Fishes of the Cayman Islands. In: The Cayman Islands, natural history and biogeography. (eds M.A. Brunt and J.E. Davies), pp. 199-228. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

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