Saving Seafood

Saving Nassau Grouper by Protecting Spawning Aggregations

January 20, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

From December through March, Nassau grouper spawn in large breeding groups in the tropical waters of coastal Florida and the Caribbean. These groups consist of thousands of fish that collectively gather in predictable locations for the sole purpose of reproduction. Unfortunately since 1980, theys have been overfished, leading to an 80 percent loss in the population in some locations. NOAA Fisheries scientists, managers, and our partners collectively are implementing regional strategies for the protection and conservation of Nassau grouper. Two new videos—one for decision makers and one for local fishermen—promote the conservation of Nassau grouper spawning aggregations.

NOAA Fisheries listed Nassau grouper as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2016 and is dedicated to its conservation. Take and possession of Nassau grouper have been prohibited in U.S. Caribbean federal waters since 1990. NOAA Fisheries is a member of the Spawning Aggregation Working Group, which was created by the Western and Central Atlantic Fishery Commission. Nassau grouper travel hundreds of miles crossing international borders to breed in large spawning aggregations; therefore, recovery efforts must be a collaboration across their range. We support a harmonized regional approach to sustainably manage Nassau grouper.

These spawning aggregations are the only known period when Nassau grouper spawn. The working group advocates letting breeding fish “off the hook” by closing fishing and sales of Nassau grouper from December to March. Removing adults has a compound effect of losing reproductive output and a decline in abundance can lead to the long-term loss of the spawning aggregation. This no-take period protects the spawning adults and at the same time safeguards population replenishment and recovery.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Lists Nassau Grouper as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act

June 30, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries has listed Nassau grouper as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to a decline in its population. The species is in need of more conservation efforts given its population has not yet recovered. A final rule was published in the Federal Register on June 29, 2016  (81 FR 42268) and will become effective on July 29, 2016.

This listing does not change current fishing regulations in the U.S. (including federal waters in U.S. Caribbean territories), as harvest of this species is already prohibited in state, territorial, and federal waters. Commercial and recreational fishing for this species was first prohibited in U.S. federal waters in 1990 when it was listed as a Species of Concern.

Prior to 1990, historical harvest greatly diminished the population of Nassau grouper and eliminated many spawning groups. Because Nassau grouper is a slow growing, late maturing fish, the population has yet to recover despite conservation efforts. In addition, Nassau grouper is still harvested in several Caribbean countries and fishing pressure on the remaining spawning groups continues to threaten the species.

While a threatened listing status does not afford the same strict prohibitions on import, export, and incidental catch that an endangered status does, NOAA fisheries will assess whether to add additional regulatory measures in future rule makings. NOAA fisheries will also organize a recovery team to begin development of a plan to guide the conservation and recovery of the species. The plan will lay out the criteria and actions necessary to ensure species recovery. It will also be used to ensure recovery efforts are on target and being met effectively and efficiently.