15 – 16 March 2011

 SSC Conclusion:  While the report contains new information that suggests that stocks may be improving, the statistical analyses are inconclusive and do not warrant revisiting ACLs at this time. Additional analyses and refinement of future fishery independent survey designs using covariant information (e.g. habitat, seasonality, depth) is encouraged.

 The SSC recommends to start the year sequence for commercial fishing data for Puerto Rico in  The SSC recommends that 2009 be the ending period of the year sequence, but premised on 1983 being the beginning of the sequence for Puerto Rico commercial landings.  The SSC recommends to use the full year sequence for which we have data, 2000 – 2009, for recreational fishing data for Puerto Rico.

 The SSC recommends [Action 1(b)] Option 2(b) under Table 7* and that OFL equals the combination from the average annual commercial landings for the entire period plus the average recreational landings over the entire period of for Puerto Rico.  *Refers to the Option Paper dated December 22, 2010.

 The year sequences to be considered for determining average annual catch for commercial landings of species listed in Tables 2 and 3 of the Options Paper dated December 22, 2010 (spiny lobster and reef fish) shall be the longest time series available for both islands; for STT/STJ through the most recent year for which reliable data are available and for STX 1999-through the most recent year for which reliable data are available.  The SSC recommends [Action 1(b)] Option 2(b) under Table 7 and that OFL equals the average annual commercial landings for the year sequences selected in the previous motion [see motion above].

OFL Recommendations The SSC recommends [Action 1(b)] Option 2(b) under Table 7* and that OFL equals the average annual commercial landings for the year sequences selected in the previous motion. *Refers to Option Paper dated 22 Dec 2010 School of stoplight parrotfish

For STT/STJ, STX, and Puerto Rico, the SSC recommends ABC=OFL (for species listed in Tables 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Options Paper dated December 22, 2010) except for the Acanthuridae (reef herbivores) and most Pomacanthidae (reef spongivores). Because these species may play a significant ecological role in regulating algal and sponge populations of the coral reefs, the SSC recommends that a new option under Action 1(b), Option 2(i) ABC = OFL x (0.50) for the Acanthuridae and the Pomacanthidae be considered. Acanthuridae - surgeonfish Pomacanthidae - angelfish

SSC Rationale for New Option SSC is proposing this the new option because: Acanthurids are herbivores and as such may be important in regulating algal populations on the reef. Angelfish: At least the larger species of angelfish (gray, French, queen, and rock beauty) feed on sponges and as such may have a keystone species role in protecting corals from erosion by boring sponges and overgrowth by sponges. Juvenile French angelfish

Aquarium Species The SSC recommends the following preferred alternative for the Aquarium Species (Options Paper dated December ): Action 2, Option 2, Sub-option C: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in both the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, into a separate Fishery Management Plan specific to aquarium trade species. Spirobranchus giganteus, Christmas tree worm