[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 96 (Monday, May 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28686-28687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11551]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC866


Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the following stocks 
are subject to overfishing or are in an overfished condition: Thorny 
skate is subject to overfishing and continues to be in an overfished 
condition; winter skate is subject to overfishing but is not in an 
overfished condition; Gulf of Mexico red snapper continues to be in an 
overfished condition; the Gulf of Mexico jacks complex is subject to 
overfishing; Gulf of Mexico hogfish is subject to overfishing; and 
South Atlantic blueline tilefish is subject to overfishing and in is an 
overfished condition. In addition, the Western and Central North 
Pacific (WCNP) stock of striped marlin, which is jointly managed by the 
Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council and the Pacific Fisheries 
Management Council, continues to be subject to overfishing and is now 
in an overfished condition.
    NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate fishery 
management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is 
occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition, a stock is 
approaching an overfished condition, or when a rebuilding plan has not 
resulted in adequate progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding 
affected fish stocks.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Nelson, (301) 427-8565.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to sections 304(e)(2) and (e)(7) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2) and (e)(7), and implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 600.310(e)(2), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, 
must notify Councils whenever it determines that a stock or stock 
complex is overfished or approaching an overfished condition; or if an 
existing rebuilding plan has not ended overfishing or resulted in 
adequate rebuilding progress. NMFS also notifies Councils when it 
determines a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing. Section 
304(e)(2) further requires NMFS to publish these notices in the Federal 
Register.
    NMFS has determined that thorny skate and winter skate, which are 
managed by the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC), are 
subject to overfishing and thorny skate continues to be in an 
overfished condition based on a survey biomass index. NMFS has informed 
the NEFMC that they must address overfishing on these two stocks and 
continue to rebuild the thorny skate stock.
    NMFS has informed the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 
(GMFMC) that the latest benchmark assessment for Gulf of Mexico (GOM) 
red snapper confirmed that the stock continues to be in an overfished 
condition and is not subject to overfishing. GOM red snapper has been 
in a rebuilding plan since 2001. NMFS has determined that adequate 
progress is being made to rebuild the stock to the target rebuilding 
level by 2032, the end of the rebuilding plan.
    NMFS has also notified the GMFMC that an overfishing determination 
has been made for the GOM jacks complex and for GOM hogfish based on 
the catch to overfishing limit ratio. The GMFMC has implemented 
accountability measures for each of these stocks for the 2014 fishing 
year.
    NMFS has determined that, based on the latest stock assessment, the 
South Atlantic blueline tilefish stock is subject to overfishing and is 
in an overfished condition. The prior status for overfishing and 
overfished was unknown. NMFS has notified the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council that they must address overfishing and rebuild the 
stock.
    NMFS has determined that the Western and Central North Pacific 
(WCNP) stock of striped marlin is subject to overfishing and is in an 
overfished condition. This determination was based on an assessment 
conducted by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-
like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC), in conjunction with the 
Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center. NMFS has confirmed that 
section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) applies because (1) the 
overfishing and overfished condition of WCNP striped marlin is due 
largely to excessive international fishing pressure, and (2) the 
regional fishery management organizations have inadequate measures

[[Page 28687]]

in place to correct the problem. NMFS has informed the Western Pacific 
Fishery Management Council and the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
of their obligations for international and domestic management under 
Magnuson-Stevens Act sections 304(i) and 304(i)(2) to address 
international and domestic impacts, respectively. The Councils must 
develop domestic regulations to address the relative impact of the 
domestic fishing fleet on the stock, and develop recommendations to the 
Secretary of State and Congress for international actions to end 
overfishing and rebuild WCNP striped marlin.

    Dated: May 14, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-11551 Filed 5-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P