Sport Fish Restoration Program UpdateOctober 2016

James BallardSport Fish Restoration Program Coordinator

Primary Science Gaps• Regional-scale, scientifically sound, standardized studies (e.g., gear and

methodologies that produce comparable data for stock assessments).• More standardized, comparable studies on inshore reef sites and their ability to

enhance nursery habitats.• Baseline data on a site before artificial reef material is deployed in order to better

assess environmental changes that result from the new reef.• Standardized, baseline monitoring across regions to assess how artificial reefs are

functioning over time and how they perform compared to natural reefs. • Role of reefs—is it foraging space or a refuge? What species are actually benefitting

from a particular artificial reef?• How artificial reefs feed into the fisheries management process, and into science

products for managers (e.g., stock assessments and fisheries allocations).• Understanding how artificial reef habitat contributes to overall productivity.• Clearly defined, realistic, and achievable goals for new artificial reef projects, and

monitoring protocols that assess whether goals are being achieved.

National Artificial Reef Workshop and Technical Committee Establishment

Gulf-wide Artificial Reef Demonstration Project

Objective: To determine how standardized artificial reefs impact different life history stages of red snapper and other reef associated species, as well as, the surrounding environment across the Gulf of Mexico.

Standardized Monitoring Starting the Year Before Reef Deployment, 3 Standardized Reef Materials That Provide Suitable Habitat for 3

Different Life History Stages of Red Snapper, Standardized Sighting in All States

Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Materials – Third Edition

Dedicated to Jim Francesconi

Completed the Preliminary Review and Revisions.

Compiling Revised Sections into a New Revised Draft.

Acquiring Updated Photos to Incorporate into the Final Document.

Final Review of the Complete Document by Both Subcommittees this Fall.

Final approval of the Third Edition at the Spring 2017 Joint Artificial Reef Meeting.

Gulf Artificial Reef Monitoring and Assessment Program (GARMAP)

Concrete Culverts

Pogy Boat "Barataria Bay"

GARMAP Sample Universe

GARMAP Data Collection

Questions?