[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9298-9299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04398]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF960


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, overfished, or approaching an overfished 
condition. Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish is now subject to 
overfishing. The southern Georges Bank/Mid-Atlantic stock of red hake 
and North Atlantic shortfin mako shark are now both subject to 
overfishing and overfished. The following Atlantic stocks are still 
overfished: Atlantic wolffish, ocean pout, the Southern New England/
Mid-Atlantic stock of winter flounder, the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank 
stock of windowpane flounder, and witch flounder. In addition, three 
stocks of yellowtail flounder (Georges Bank, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine and 
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic), and two stocks of Atlantic cod 
(Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine) are all still subject to overfishing 
and overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the 
appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines 
that a stock is subject to overfishing, is in an overfished condition, 
or is approaching an overfished condition.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 304(e)(2) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, 
must notify Councils, and publish in the Federal Register, whenever it 
determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, 
overfished, or approaching an overfished condition.
    NMFS has determined that Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish is now 
subject to overfishing. In years in which this stock is assessed, Gulf 
of Mexico gray triggerfish is subject to overfishing if the fishing 
mortality rate (F) is greater than the maximum fishing mortality 
threshold (MFMT). In non-assessment years, the stock is subject to 
overfishing if total landings exceed the overfishing limit (OFL). While 
the most recent stock assessment (from 2015, using data from 2013) 
supported a determination that the stock was not subject to 
overfishing, landings data from 2016, finalized in 2017, support a 
determination that gray triggerfish is subject to overfishing because 
total landings in 2016 were greater than the OFL. NMFS has informed the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that it must take action to 
end overfishing immediately on this stock.
    NMFS has determined that the Southern Georges Bank/Mid-Atlantic 
stock of red hake and North Atlantic shortfin mako shark are now both 
subject to overfishing and overfished. The Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center completed the most recent assessment of the Southern Georges 
Bank/Mid-Atlantic stock of red hake in 2017, using data through 2016. 
This assessment supports a determination that the stock is now subject 
to overfishing because the exploitation rate exceeds targets, and 
overfished because survey indices are below the minimum stock size 
threshold. NMFS has informed the New England Fishery Management Council 
(New England Council) that it must take action to end overfishing 
immediately on, and rebuild, this stock.
    The latest stock assessment for North Atlantic shortfin mako shark 
was finalized in 2017 by the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tuna's (ICCAT's) Standing Committee for 
Research and Statistics, using data through 2015. This assessment 
supports a recommendation of subject to overfishing because fishing 
mortality exceeds targets and overfished because estimates of biomass 
in 2015 are less than the biomass targets. Under the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act, NMFS will implement new ICCAT management measures to 
address overfishing and begin rebuilding this stock.
    NMFS has also determined that the following Atlantic stocks are 
still overfished: Atlantic wolffish, ocean pout, the Southern New 
England/Mid-Atlantic stock of winter flounder, and the Gulf of Maine/
Georges Bank stock of windowpane flounder. Determinations are based on 
the most recent stock assessments, completed in 2017, using data 
through 2016, which indicate that biomass estimates remain below 
targets for these stocks. The status of Atlantic witch flounder could 
not be quantitatively determined and was qualitatively determined to be 
overfished based on poor stock condition.

[[Page 9299]]

    NMFS has determined that the Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine and Southern 
New England/Mid-Atlantic stocks of yellowtail flounder and Gulf of 
Maine Atlantic cod are still subject to overfishing and overfished. 
These determinations are based on the most recent stock assessments, 
completed in 2017, using data through 2016, which indicate that biomass 
remains below targets and fishing mortality remains above thresholds. 
The 2017 assessment provided no accepted models and no qualitative 
information to recommend stock status for Georges Bank yellowtail 
flounder and Georges Bank cod. Thus, status for these stocks continues 
to be listed as subject to overfishing and overfished, based on the 
last accepted assessment conducted in 2013. These assessments continue 
status determinations made previously and NMFS has informed the New 
England Council that it must take action to end overfishing and rebuild 
these stocks.

    Dated: February 28, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries Service, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04398 Filed 3-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P