# Minutes of the

# Atlantic Scientific Review Group Meeting

# US Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Florida

The 2007 meeting of the Atlantic Scientific Review Group (SRG) commenced
at 0900 on 9 January 2007, at the US Fish and Wildlife Service offices
in Jacksonville, Florida. The agenda is in Appendix I and participants
are listed in Appendix II.

**Day 2: 10 January, 2007**

**\[2007 Stock Assessment Review report extracted from meeting
minutes\]**

## Stock assessments

[MMC comments on draft 2006 SARs]{.underline}

Simpkins (via conference call) said that the Commission conducted a
broad review of the regional SARs. Some big problems were stocks that
have not been assessed, stocks that do not have enough information to
assess zero mortality rate goal (ZMRG), and stocks for which takes are
higher than PBR. The Commission also noted inconsistencies on how stocks
are classified as strategic between regions; the authors need to look at
the GAMMS guidelines. Some are difficult cases based on SRG advice, but
NMFS needs a meeting on how the SRGs make decisions. Waring said that
Eagle had mentioned that the Commission had not addressed the need to do
more surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. Simpkins replied that the Commission
supports the need for abundance surveys in all regions.

Simpkins also reviewed some of the Commission's comments on the 2007
List of Fisheries (LOF). The Commission supports the downgrading of the
mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl fishery from Category I to Category II, but
recommends that NMFS maintain adequate observer coverage. They also
support the classification of the mid- Atlantic flynet fishery as Cat II
based on analogy with similar gear. They recommended that the blue crab
trap/ pot fishery and menhaden purse seine fishery be reclassified,
respectively, to Cat II and Cat I. Further, observer monitoring of these
fisheries needs to be established. The Commission also recommended that
the level of observer coverage be included in the LOF. The issue of
marine mammal depredation of bait or catch in commercial fishing gear,
occasionally resulting in serious injury or death was also an issue
pertinent to Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic regions. Wells asked if the
Commission has looked into broader issues of dolphin ancillary
interactions with fisheries other than bycatch. Simpkins replied that
that falls under depredation as a broader issue. Simpkins said concerned
about depredation issues and is interested in receiving any ideas SRG
members (or others) might have on addressing the issue. Valade asked if
there was anything that was directed toward the FWS in the Commission\'s
LOF review, and the answer was no.

[Draft 2007 SARs]{.underline}

Seagraves provided SRG comments on the Appendix III Fishery
Descriptions. Gouveia and Engleby will take the lead on revising the
Appendix to ensure that fishery descriptions are consistent with the LOF
and FMPs. There were no other comments on this item.

[Atlantic stocks]{.underline}

General: The SRG recommended that the 2000 mid-water trawl bycatch data
be removed from the bycatch table. The 4-year (2001-2004) data will be
used to estimate the average annual bycatch. The 2000 information will
be included in the Fishery Section text.

Garrison asked the SRG for advice on preparing the first SAR for
rough-toothed dolphins for the 2007 report. The SRG recommended delaying
the report until the 2008 cycle, since the species is not involved in
any TRT process.

The SRG asked why the Atlantic killer whale chapter has not been updated
since 1995. Palka said there have been no reported takes, and only a
couple of sightings over the past decade. Basically, there is no new
information.

The SRG wanted to clarify the rules for citing unpublished material
(i.e. Palka unpublished ms). There was discussion on how and whether to
cite unpublished material. One recommendation was to use the phrase
"available from..." for unpublished manuscripts, although it was noted
that peer reviewed reports are preferred. References cited as "NMFS,
etc." were also a concern.

Right whales: There were some minor editorial comments, and a question
on calf mortalities in 2003-2005. The SRG also discussed the need to use
the most recent available information on large whale mortalities, even
if the year is off-cycle with small cetaceans whose bycatch estimate
must be extrapolated across fishery effort.

Humpback whales: There was considerable discussion on the assignment of
mid-Atlantic mortalities to the Gulf of Maine (GOM) stock. Young said
one should presume the animals are GOM unless proven otherwise, since
published literature on photo-id work shows that a large number of
mid-Atlantic animals are part of the GOM stock. The SRG noted that the
risk adverse choice would be to assume that the unknowns are GOM whales.
The SRG recommended that the published percentage (40%) of photo-id
whales in the mid-Atlantic region (Barco *et al*. 2002 - *J. Cetacean
Res. Manage.* 4(2):135--141) be used to prorate unknown mortalities to
the GOM stock.

Fin whales: There were only minor editorial changes.

Sei whales: The status of stock needs to be changed now that an
abundance estimate is available. PBR is exceeded.

Minke whales: The abundance table and text needs to be updated.
Josephson noted that an earlier version of the report was inadvertently
posted for the SRG review. The current version contained the updated
survey data.

Sperm whales: No comments

Drawf and Pygmy sperm whales: The stranding table numbers are low and
the number of animals in the UME is wrong. In the PBR section there
should be some wording as in the *Mesoplodon* report, saying it is not
possible to determine the PBR for the separate stocks.

Cuvier's beaked whales: No comments

*Mesoplodon* beaked whales: The SRG recommended using the following text
in the PBR section "it is not possible to individually determine PBR" as
a model for other lumped stocks.

Northern bottlenose whales: The text on the population trend needs to be
clarified since the reference to the trend is older than the reference
on the latest population estimate. Also, the second half of the ZMRG
sentence (...but the rarity of mortality reports for this species
suggests that this level is insignificant...) should be deleted.

Long-finned pilot whales: The Stock Definition section should contain
some text pertaining to ongoing stock delineation studies. The reference
to the Newfoundland catch is likely to be an estimate. In the Status of
Stock section there should be a sentence like \"However, the continuing
inability to distinguish between species of pilot whales raises concerns
about the possibility of mortalities of one stock or the other exceeding
PBR.\" The SRG will reinforce the need for research to delineate the
stocks in their recommendation letter to Dr. Hogarth. A footnote is
required in Table 1 regarding status. In the PBR section there should be
some wording as in the *Mesoplodon* report, saying it is not possible to
determine the PBR for the separate stocks. Discrepancies in the UME
numbers need to be addressed.

Short-finned pilot whales: Incorporate the LF pilot whale comments.

Risso's dolphins: The Stock Definition section should contain a sentence
that mentions a satellite tagged animal that moved from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Atlantic. Also, the survey descriptions 2004-2006 are not
clear.

Bottlenose dolphin - Coastal: There was some discussion on whether
animals in estuaries should be addressed more directly. Garrison said
the abundance estimates do not include the estuaries but the stock does.
We are not able to genetically split them. Garrison will add some text
that includes a caveat about future identification and separation of
stocks. He suggested that the SEFSC may prepare a Bay, Sounds, and
Estuary SAR in 2008. The SRG recommended that the text should specify
that PBRs are unknown for the central Florida management unit because
the 1995 abundance estimate is too old to use. The part where it says
"These estimates are negatively biased..." would be a good place for the
caveat. The mortalities of the tagged animals should be added to the
"Other Mortality" section. In the discussion of trammel net mortalities
at least 3 additional trammel net mortalites need to be incorporated.
Garrison said he would add that. Wells asked when the status will be
changed. Garrison said that is another large project. There are now 7
stocks. First the stock structure needs to be finalized. An SRG member
said we don't say what the delisting criteria are for depleted stocks.
Garrison suggested that the SRG make a recommendation to reevaluate the
status of the stocks. Young said it might be useful to have a summary
table showing PBR relative to mortality for each management unit, just
as is the case for other stocks. Garrison said he can't figure out how
he would do that. Young commented on footnote c on the shark bycatch
table as it confounds understanding of the mortality estimates. Garrison
said he has hit an impasse on how to deal with effort. Young recommended
that the description in the Mid-Atlantic gillnet section briefly
characterize the changes in the fishery that are alluded to when
discussing the bycatch estimates for different time periods.

Bottlenose dolphins -- Offshore: The unknowns in the mid-Atlantic
gillnet were briefly discussed.

Common dolphins: There is a typo in the mid-Atlantic bottom trawl
section where it says northeast instead of mid-Atlantic.

Striped dolphins: No comments.

White beaked dolphins: No comments.

Atlantic white-sided dolphins: There is a typo in the PBR section re
population size, and Nmin has not been updated.

Atlantic Clymene dolphins: Delete Nmin since it is more than 8 years
old. PBR should be changed to undetermined. Leaving the status of the
stock as non-strategic is ok.

Atlantic spotted dolphins: The Stock Description states that there is
evidence for genetic separation into two forms, this needs to be
clarified.

Pantropical spotted dolphins: There were some minor editorial
corrections in the text and references. There are separate abundance
estimates for Atlantic and pantropical spotted dolphins, therefore
delete the text that says they are lumped. The information in the
Fishery section needs to be clarified.

Harbor porpoises: Include some text on the TRT in the Status of Stock
section. Text in the Trend section needs to be clarified.

Seals -- It was recommended that the first paragraph following the
stranding table be deleted for all four species.

Hooded and Harp seals: No comments.

Gray seals: The spelling needs to be consistent (i.e., gray seals vs.
grey seals). The text on the population trends needs to be clarified.

Harbor seal: The text on the population trend needs to be revised to
unknown. Since there is only one population estimate \< 8-years old, Fr
should be changed from 1.0 to 0.5.

[Gulf of Mexico]{.underline}

General - It would be useful to include information on the abundance
survey protocol in all stock reports. The Trend sections should contain
some text on the proportion of the Gulf of Mexico that is in the Mexican
and Cuban EEZs, and how the SAR only pertains to US waters. There is a
discrepancy between the stock delineation for many stocks in the Gulf
and the summary chart (i.e., the chart uses the word "oceanic" in the
stock description and the SARs don't).

Sperm whales: No comments were presented at the meeting. Lang (SRG) sent
in comments by email afterward.

Blainville's beaked whales: Include text in PBR section "it is not
possible to individually determine PBR."

Cuvier's beaked whales: Include text in PBR section "it is not possible
to individually determine PBR."

Gervais' beaked whales: Include text in PBR section "it is not possible
to individually determine PBR."

Killer whales: The PBR and fishery interaction (i.e., see Fin whales)
text needs to be clarified.

Drawf and pygmy killer whales: The paragraph on diagnostic and
morphological difference contained in the Atlantic reports should be
incorporated in the GOM reports.

Pygmy killer whales: No comments.

Melon-headed whales: No comments.

False killer whales: No comments.

Short-finned pilot whales: No comments.

Risso's dolphins: The Stock Definition section should contain a sentence
that mentions a satellite tagged animal that moved from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Atlantic.

Bottlenose dolphin -- shelf stock: It was noted that Nbest is pooled
"1998 through 2001," but part of this time period is older than 8 years.

Bay, sounds, and estuarine stocks: It was noted that most of stock
populations are unknown, but there is ongoing research that could be
mentioned. It was recommended to delete the line re Sarasota Bay.
Additional information on dolphin takes and depredation should be
included including mention of recent shootings. The SRG provided revised
text on the research related mortality including one in 2006. The SRG
asked if there were any Katrina related mortalities. The response was
no. Engleby recommended that the GOM stocks should have the caveat that
signs of human interaction does not necessarily mean that was the cause
of death.

Atlantic spotted dolphins: Note that this species was not sighted in the
2003-2004 surveys. The abundance data need to be revised, since data
older than 8-years are included.

Pantropical spotted dolphins: No substantive comments.

Striped dolphins: Text pertaining to the use of old data needs to be
revised.

Fraser's dolphins: Correct minor typos and check references.

[Manatees]{.underline}

Florida and Antillean stocks: Valade said that FWS plans to have revised
SAR available for the 2008 cycle.

**APPENDIX I**

**Atlantic Scientific Review Group**

**Draft Meeting Agenda -- January 9-11 2007**

**U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Florida**

**Tuesday, January 9, 2007**

1.  **Introduction** (Baltz, Jennings, Waring)

-   Welcome, housekeeping

-   Travel reimbursement

-   Introductions

-   Appointment of rapporteurs; Minutes deadline

-   Agenda review and schedule

-   Documents

2.  **Take Reduction Plan Updates**

-   BDTRP (SER-Carlson)

-   PLTRT (SER/SEC-Engleby/Garrison)

-   ATTRP (NER/NEC-Gouveia/Palka)

-   HPTRP (NER-Gouveia)

-   ALWTRP (NER-Gouveia)

3.  **Serious Injury & Mortality**

-   Update on the postponed national serious injury and mortality
    workshop (F/PR-Eagle)

4.  **MMPA and ESA Re-authorization**

-   Update on MMPA & ESA re-authorizations and discussions on impacts to
    science and management (F/PR-Eagle)

5.  **Administrative Changes and Effects**

-   NMFS staff updates (F/S & F/PR -- Eagle) 

-   MMC staff updates (MMC-Simpkins- via conf. call)

-   Marine Mammal Commission staff and program updates (MMC-Simpkins-
    via conf. call)

>  

6.  **Proposed List of Fisheries**

-   Regional changes (SER/NER- Engleby/Gouveia)

7.  **Stranding Program / Events**

    -   Gulf of Maine harbor seal UME (NER /SRG- Gouveia/Gilbert)

    -   Southeast region (SEC/SER-Garrison/Carlson)

    -   Update on Prescott Program (F/PR - Eagle)

8.  **Bottlenose Dolphin Live Capture Program**

-   Update on plans for (or results of) the workshop on capture-related
    research and invasive tagging (SEC-Hansen)

9.  **Marine Mammal Commission**

-   Status of MMC report to Congress on marine mammals and noise...
    (MMC-Simpkins)

-   Review of MMC comments on Draft 2006 SARs; letter to Mr. David
    Cottingham from Tim Ragen dated 26 October 2006 (F/PR Eagle/ MMC --
    Simpkins).

10. **Multi-Agency Marine Mammal Issues**

-   The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for marine mammal topics...(???)

-   The Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science & Technology
    (JSOST)...--Overview of how these actions are affecting NMFS
    research planning/resources for marine mammals \[F/PR - ?\]

**Wednesday January 10, 2007**

11. **NEC Updates**

    -   New abundance estimates from 2006 aerial survey (Palka)

    -   Preliminary investigation into using regression analysis for
        harbor porpoise bycatch (Palka)

    -   2000-2005 estimates of coastal bottlenose dolphin bycatch
        (Palka)

    -   2000-2005 bycatch estimates from the midwater trawl fisheries
        (Palka)

    -   NEFSC 2006 surveys (Palka, Waring, Pace-via conf. call)

    -   NEC 200 survey plans (Palka, Pace-via conf. call)

12. **SEC Updates**

-   Abundance estimates for the Gulf of Mexico from the 2003-2004 ship
    surveys (Mullin)

-   2006 SEFSC fieldwork  (Garrison, Mullin)

-   2007 SEFSC fieldwork plans (Mullin)

13. **Manatee Updates**

-   State of Florida's Manatee Management Plan (USFWS-Jennings)

-   Fish & Wildlife Service Manatee 5-yr Review (USFWS-Jennings)

14. **Stock Assessments**

    -   Status of 2006 SARs (NEC/SEC--Josephson)

    -   Review Appendixes (NEC/SEC-Josephson, Pace-via conf. call,
        SEC/SER?)

    -   Review draft 2007 SARs (NEC/SEC staff)

15. **Right Whale Issues**

-   Update on NMFS's proposed regulations to reduce the threat of ship
    strikes (F/PR ?)

16. **USWTR & Other Training Exercises**

-   Update on Navy's Proposed Training Exercises Using Active Sonar
    along East Coast and Gulf of Mexico & other exercises (F/PR -?, SRG-
    Nowacek, Odell)

17. **ASRG Business & Wrap-Up**

-   Finalize recommendations from this meeting

-   Venue and timing for 2008 meeting

-   Adjourn

**APPENDIX II**

Atlantic Scientific Review Group (ASRG) Members and Participants January
9-10 2007, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Florida.

Don Baltz

Louisiana State University

Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences

Baton Rouge, LA

Ph: 225-578-6512

<dbaltz@lsu.edu>

Stacey Carlson

NOAA Fisheries Service, SERO

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Ph: 727-551-5780

<Stacey.carlson@noaa.gov>

Laura Engleby

NOAA Fisheries Service, SERO

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Ph: 727-551-5791

[Laura.engleby@noaa.gov](mailto:Vicki.Cornish@noaa.gov)

Joe DeAlteris

University of Rhode Island

Fisheries Center, East Farm

Kingston, RI 02881

Ph: 401-824-5333

<Jdealteris@uri.edu>

Tom Eagle

NMFS -PR2

1315 East-West Hwy.

Silver Spring, MA 20910

Ph: 301-713-2322 x 105

[tom.eagle@noaa.gov](mailto:Gordon.Waring@noaa.gov)

Lance Garrison

NOAA Fisheries Service, SEFSC

75 Virginia Beach Dr.

Miami, FL 33149-1033

Ph: 305-361-4488

<Lance.garrison@noaa.gov>

James R. Gilbert

Dept. Wildlife Ecology

University of Maine

Orono, ME 04469-5755

Ph: 207-581-2866

<James.gilbert@umit.maine.edu>

David Gouveia

NOAA Fisheries Service, NERO

One Blackburn Drive

Gloucester, MA 01932-2298

Ph: 978-281-9280

[david.gouveia@noaa.gov](mailto:egriffin@ASMFC.org)

Dawn Jennings

USFWS, 6620 Southpoint Dr. South Suite 310

Jacksonville, FL 32216

Ph: 904-232-2580 x 114

[Dawn_Jennings@fws.gov](mailto:rwells@mote.org)

Beth Josephson

NOAA Fisheries Service, NEFSC

166 Water St.

Woods Hole, MA 02543

Ph: 508-495-2362

[elizabeth.josephson@noaa.gov](mailto:Gordon.Waring@noaa.gov)

Robert Kenney

University of Rhode Island

Narragansett Bay Campus Box 41

Narragansett, RI 02882-1197

Ph: 401-874-6664

<rkenney@gso.uri.edu>

Jim Mead

Smithsonian Institution

Division of Mammals

MRC-108

Washington, DC 20560

[meadj@si.edu](mailto:Mead.james@NMNH.SI.edu)

Keith Mullin

NOAA Fisheries Service, SEFSC

P.O. Drawaer 1207

Pascagoula, MS 39568

Ph: 228-762-4591x280

<Keith.D.Mullin@noaa.gov>

Douglas Nowacek

Department of Oceanography\
Rm 509 OSB\
Florida State University\
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4320\
Ph: 850- 645-1547\
<nowacek@ocean.fsu.edu>

Dan Odell

Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

6295 Sea Harbor Drive

Orlando, Florida 32821-8043

Ph: 407-370-1653

<dodell@hswri.org>

Richard Pace \*\* teleconference\*\*

NOAA Fisheries Service, NEFSC

166 Water St

Woods Hole, MA 02543

Ph: 508-495-2253

<Richard.Pace@noaa.gov>

Debi Palka

NOAA Fisheries Service, NEFSC

166 Water St.

Woods Hole, MA 02543

Ph: 508-495-2387

<Debra.Palka@noaa.gov>

Richard Seagraves

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Room 2115 Federal Bldg.

300 S. New St.

Dover, DE 19904

Ph: 302-674-2331

<Rseagraves@mafmc.org>

Michael Simpkins \*\*teleconference\*\*

Marine Mammal Commission

4340 East-West Highway, Room 905

Bethesda MD 20814

[msimpkins@mmc.gov](mailto:Rseagraves@mafmc.org)

Gordon T. Waring

NOAA Fisheries Service, NEFSC

166 Water St.

Woods Hole, MA 02543

Ph: 508-495-2311

<Gordon.Waring@noaa.gov>

Randall Wells

Chicago Zoological Society

Mote Marine Laboratory

1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy.

Sarasota, FL 34236

Ph: 941-388-2705

<rwells@mote.org>

Jim Valade

USFWS, 6620 Southpoint Dr. South Suite 310

Jacksonville, FL 32216

Ph: 904-232-2580 x 118

[Jim_Valade@fws.gov](mailto:rwells@mote.org)

Sharon Young

Humane Society US

22 Washburn St.

Bourne, MA 02532

Ph: 508-833-0181

[Syoung@hsus.org](mailto:rwells@mote.org)

Barbara Zoodsma

2382 Sadler Rd. suite 5

Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Ph: 904-321-2806

<Barb.zoodsma@noaa.gov>