[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 59362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25558]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG533


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 overfished. Gulf of Mexico gray snapper 
is now subject to overfishing. Thorny skate is still overfished. NMFS, 
on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional fishery 
management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is 
occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition or a stock 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 the Gulf of Mexico stock of gray snapper 
is now subject to overfishing. The most recent benchmark assessment for 
this stock was finalized in 2018, using data through 2015. The 
assessment supports a determination that the stock is subject to 
overfishing because the current estimate of fishing mortality 
(F2013-2015), 0.138, is greater than the maximum fishing 
mortality threshold (MFMT), 0.115. NMFS has informed the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) that it must prepare and 
implement a plan amendment or proposed regulations to end overfishing 
immediately and prevent overfishing from occurring in the fishery. The 
Gulf Council has already started working on a fishery management plan 
amendment to address the results of this stock assessment.
    NMFS has determined that thorny skate is still overfished. A stock 
status update was completed for this stock in 2018, using data through 
2017. The update supports a determination that the stock remains 
overfished because the three-year average biomass index 
(B2015-2017), 0.285kg/tow, is below the biomass threshold, 
2.06 kg/tow. Thorny skate is currently in year 15 of a 25-year 
rebuilding plan that was implemented in 2003. NMFS continues to work 
with the New England Fishery Management Council to rebuild this stock.

    Dated: November 19, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25558 Filed 11-21-18; 8:45 am]
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