The South Atlantic snapper-grouper Species Management Complex is comprised of 73 species that are managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in Charleston, South Carolina. The management of the Snapper-Grouper fishery is complicated because of the large area, the variety of fishing gears and vessel sizes used, and the life history of the species in the fishery. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare data obtained from electronic video monitoring (EM) to data collected simultaneously with fishermen logbooks and fisheries observers, (2) to collect otoliths to assist in determining the age-size structure of frequently discarded species, (3) to present the findings of this study, along with results from similarly completed or ongoing studies in the Southeast, to fishermen, scientists and other stakeholders at a public workshop in conjunction with a SAFMC meeting and (4) conduct a survey to help us understand permit holder perceptions and attitudes about electronic monitoring research specifically and cooperative research in general. In the spring of 2010, Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. (Archipelago) began working with Sea Grant and several permit holders in the snapper-grouper bandit reel fishing industry to test the effectiveness of electronic monitoring (EM) in the fishery. Electronic monitoring is an onboard system that collects fisheries data using a series of sensors (drum, hydraulic pressure, GPS) installed throughout a fishing vessel along with a user interface in the wheelhouse. Data collection is followed by post-fishing trip data interpretation and analysis. To test the applicability of the EM system within the fishery, EM systems were deployed on 8 vessels from March 2010 to December 2010. EM data were then compared to data collected by fishers and at-sea observers. A total of 93 trips were monitored by EM, 34 by self-reported fishing logbooks, and 5 by observers. A total of 524 sea-days were monitored with EM systems, and complete catch documentation using EM was completed for 139 sea-days. Observer data were available for 26 sea-days or a total of 315 events. Observer count data matched well with EM count data, but species identification with EM was less accurate. Self-reported logbook information collected by fishermen matched well with EM data for some vessels but matched poorly for others. Many species important to the fishery within the families Serranidae, Sparidae and Haemulidae were difficult for the EM reviewer to identify. Vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens and gray triggerfish Balistes capriscus collectively comprised a significant portion of the retained and discarded catch, and the EM reviewer correctly identified these species most of the time. The results indicate that EM monitoring has potential to augment existing data collection programs in this and similarly prosecuted fisheries provided that steps are taken to improve overall catch counts and species identification. Information on frequently discarded species was collected by investigators, fishermen and the observer. Working with fishermen, the investigators obtained otoliths from 102 undersized fish representing six species. The observer reported fate for 381 catch items, with 91% of discards released in excellent condition (category 1 of 1-4). Lengths, location and depth of capture were recorded by the observer for many samples, but EM system used here did not have the capability to record depth. An EM workshop for the SAFMC snapper-grouper advisory panel members and members of the public was held in April 2011. The workshop provided participants with detailed information on this study and other research project results on both electronic monitoring and traditional fisheries observing approaches for the commercial snapper-grouper hook and line fishery. Eleven of 34 participants provided responses to the exit survey. Attendees were either "Very Satisfied" (50%) or Satisfied (50%) with the overall workshop. The workshop was comprised of 4 presentations (4 presenters) as well as open discussion periods. In order of response scores, our pilot project results were marked as the most useful (90%), followed by the presentations of NOAA / NMFS vessel monitoring systems, the Gulf and South Fisheries Foundation at-sea observer study, and then by the regional electronic monitoring project conducted in the Gulf of Mexico. Only one respondent indicated that electronic monitoring was too intrusive. The NOAA representative who presented on VMS was happy with the workshop as it is often difficult to show the benefits of VMS to fishermen. Overall, fisherman, Council staff and fisheries managers were impressed with the capabilities of EM systems as well as the relatively strong correlation between EM and observers and EM and fishermen's self-reported logbooks. Finally, a combination outreach mailing and research survey was delivered to all snapper-grouper permit holders (n=773). This survey represents the first attempt to define snapper-grouper permit holders' attitudes towards the concept of electronic monitoring specifically and cooperative research in general. The response rate (15%) was adequate, but could likely have been improved by using a "warm-up letter" prior to the mailing of the survey. Generally speaking, respondents were not supportive of future EM testing in the Snapper-grouper fishery, but were supportive of cooperative research in general. Permit holders preferred project types that relied on the use of industry knowledge. When given the opportunity, 54 permit holders (47% of survey respondents) provided names and contact information (address, phone numbers, email, etc.) in order to stay up to date on cooperative research information.