[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 69043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24077]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE882


Stock Status Determination for Atlantic Dusky Sharks

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that Atlantic dusky 
sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) are still overfished and subject to 
overfishing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tobey Curtis by phone at 978-281-9273 
or Karyl Brewster-Geisz by phone at 301-427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Atlantic dusky sharks are managed under the 2006 Consolidated 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 
and its amendments. Dusky sharks have been a prohibited species since 
2000 and may not be landed or retained in any fisheries. However, 
multiple commercial and recreational fisheries sometimes interact with 
the species as bycatch during the course of normal operations. The 2016 
assessment was an update to the 2011 stock assessment for dusky sharks. 
Thus, no new methodology was introduced, though all model inputs were 
updated with more recent data (i.e. effort, and 2010-2015 for all the 
indices of relative abundance, which included observer and survey 
data).
    Dusky sharks were first assessed in 2006, and all model results 
indicated that the stock had been heavily exploited, with depletion 
estimates between 62 and 80 percent from virgin biomass, and a 
rebuilding timeframe of 100 to 400 years. Dusky sharks were again 
assessed in 2011 through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review 
(SEDAR) process in SEDAR 21. The SEDAR 21 dusky shark assessment 
indicated that the species was overfished (spawning stock biomass 
[SSB]2009/SSBMSY = 0.41-0.50) and was 
experiencing overfishing (F2009/FMSY = 1.39-
4.35).
    All documents and information regarding the 2010 SEDAR 21 benchmark 
assessment and 2016 update can be found on the SEDAR Web page at http://sedarweb.org/sedar-21.

2016 Dusky Shark Stock Assessment Update Results

    The 2016 dusky shark stock assessment update used an age-structured 
catch-free production model since the species' prohibited status made 
the use of catch as an input largely impractical.
    In the 2011 SEDAR 21 assessment, the reviewers determined that 
there were five scenarios analyzed in the assessment that were 
plausible. Thus, in the 2016 update, the five scenarios reflective of 
plausible states of nature were analyzed and projections for each 
scenario were conducted. The five scenarios were: (1) The base 
scenario; (2) a high natural mortality scenario; (3) a U-shaped natural 
mortality curve allowing senescence; (4) a high productivity scenario; 
and (5) a low productivity scenario. Under all scenarios, the 2016 
update found the stock is still overfished (spawning stock fecundity 
[SSF]2015/SSFMSST = 0.44-0.69). Under all 
scenarios, the 2016 update found the stock was also still subject to 
overfishing (F2015/FMSY = 1.08-2.92).
    The assessment was peer reviewed by two reviewers. Overall, the 
peer reviewers determined the stock assessment to be based on the best 
scientific information available. Based on these results, NMFS has 
determined that the status of dusky sharks is overfished and 
overfishing is occurring.

    Dated: September 30, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-24077 Filed 10-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P