[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 53115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21676]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE118


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 four 
stocks of Pacific salmon are subject to overfishing: Chinook salmon--
Columbia River Basin: Upper River Summer; Chinook salmon--Washington 
Coast: Willapa Bay Fall Natural; Chinook salmon--Washington Coast: 
Grays Harbor Fall; and Coho salmon--Washington Coast: Hoh. In addition, 
NMFS has found that the North Pacific swordfish stock in the Eastern 
Pacific Ocean, which is jointly managed by the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 
is subject to overfishing. 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. None of these stocks 
is in an overfished condition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.

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 four stocks of Pacific salmon are now 
subject to overfishing:
    1. Chinook salmon--Columbia River Basin: Upper River Summer;
    2. Chinook salmon--Washington Coast: Willapa Bay Fall Natural;
    3. Chinook salmon-- Washington Coast: Grays Harbor Fall; and
    4. Coho salmon--Washington Coast: Hoh.
    The Pacific Fishery Management Council has been informed that they 
must take action to end overfishing immediately on these stocks.
    In addition, NMFS has determined that the North Pacific swordfish 
stock in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) is subject to overfishing and 
is not 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 NOAA scientists. NMFS has confirmed that section 304(i) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) applies because (1) the overfishing condition of swordfish 
is due largely to excessive international fishing pressure, and (2) 
there are no management measures (or efficiency measures) to end 
overfishing under an international agreement to which the U.S. is a 
party. 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 on North Pacific 
swordfish EPO.

    Dated: August 27, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21676 Filed 9-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P