Greater Amberjack Count

The overarching goal of the proposed research initiative is to provide an independent estimate of GAJ abundance in the US Gulf GoM and SA in waters out to 150 m in depth. The independent estimate of abundance derived from the proposed research will be compared with the estimates derived from the stock assessment models used by NOAA Fisheries (Stock Synthesis, Beaufort Assessment Model), allowing validation, calibration, and further refinement of the model. To accomplish this ambitious task, we have assembled a well integrated multidisciplinary team that includes leading fisheries and statistical experts from across the GoM and SA. These scientists have extensive experience with reef fish research along with some of the most robust datasets, ongoing research programs/teams, sampling expertise, and analytical skills available. Our specific objectives are: (1) to synthesize bottom habitat observations and construct a spatially explicit habitat model throughout the study area (SA and GoM), (2) to synthesize existing fisheries data and stakeholder knowledge regarding regional, habitat-specific abundance of GAJ across the study area, (3) to design and conduct a comprehensive study to estimate, within a reasonable margin of uncertainty, the regional, habitat-specific absolute abundance of GAJ using a combination of video observations (towed, ROV mounted, and stationary) and hydroacoustics, (4) to determine movement behavior and connectivity of GAJ at local and regional scales using a combination of acoustic telemetry, conventional tagging and genetic markers, (5) to assess the efficacy of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods in conjunction with visual and acoustic approaches to determine presence/absence and/or relative abundance of GAJ as well as closely related species, (6) to update biological information for GAJ across the study region (age-length) and (7) to engage with stakeholder groups and collaborate with existing outreach teams to facilitate stakeholder input and to communicate the results of the project.