[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19905-19906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09234]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XG772
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. Atlantic herring and Georges Bank winter flounder are now
approaching an overfished condition. South Atlantic blueline tilefish,
Gulf of Mexico lane snapper, and Eastern Pacific Ocean yellowfin tuna
are now subject to overfishing. Atlantic bigeye tuna is now overfished
and remains subject to overfishing, Atlantic blue marlin and Pacific
bluefin tuna remain both subject to overfishing and overfished. St.
Matthew Island blue king crab is now 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 Atlantic herring and Georges Bank winter
flounder are approaching an overfished condition. The most recent
assessment for Atlantic herring, finalized in 2018, indicates that the
stock is approaching an overfished condition because the spawning stock
biomass (SSB) is projected to be less than one half the amount of SSB
needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) (\1/
2\SSBMSY) in 2018. The most recent assessment for Georges
Bank winter flounder, finalized in 2017, indicates that the stock is
approaching an overfished condition because the SSB is projected to be
less than \1/2\SSBMSY. This stock is projected to become
overfished primarily due to below average recruitment. NMFS has
informed the New England Fishery Management Council (New England
Council) that, should either stock become overfished, based on realized
catch, the New England Council must take steps under MSA sections
304(e)(3) and (4) to rebuild the stock.
NMFS has determined that South Atlantic blueline tilefish and Gulf
of Mexico lane snapper are now subject to overfishing. The blueline
tilefish determination is based on landings data from 2017. Landings
data support a determination that this stock is subject to overfishing
because 2017 landings were greater than the overfishing level (OFL).
The Gulf of Mexico lane snapper determination is based on landings data
from 2017. Landings data support a
[[Page 19906]]
determination that this stock is subject to overfishing because 2017
landings were greater than the OFL. NMFS has notified the South
Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils that they
must take action to end overfishing on these stocks.
NMFS has further determined that the Eastern Pacific Ocean
yellowfin tuna is now subject to overfishing. This determination is
based on a 2018 assessment by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Commission (IATTC) scientific staff, using data through 2017. Based on
domestic status determination criteria, this stock is subject to
overfishing because the fishing mortality rate (F) proxy is greater
than the maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT). NMFS has
determined that section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act applies
because the overfishing of Eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna stocks is due
largely to excessive international fishing pressure and because it has
not been determined that the management measures adopted by the IATTC
in 2018 will end overfishing. NMFS has informed the Pacific Fishery
Management Council of its obligations for domestic and international
management under Magnuson-Stevens Act sections 304(i) to address
domestic and international impacts.
NMFS has also determined that Atlantic bigeye tuna is now
overfished and remains subject to overfishing. This determination is
based on a 2018 assessment, using data through 2017. Based on the
domestic status determination criteria for overfishing and overfished,
the stock is overfished because SSB is calculated to be less than the
MSST. The results indicate the stock is subject to overfishing because
the F in 2017, compared to F at MSY, or FMSY, is greater
than 1.0. NMFS continues to work with the International Commission for
the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to develop and implement an
international rebuilding program for this stock.
NMFS has determined that both Atlantic blue marlin and Pacific
bluefin tuna remain subject to overfishing and overfished. The Atlantic
blue marlin determination is based on a 2018 assessment, using data
through 2016. Based on the domestic status determination criteria for
overfishing and overfished, this stock remains subject to overfishing
because F2016 compared to FMSY is greater than
1.0, and overfished because SSB is less than MSST. NMFS continues to
work with ICCAT to develop and implement an effective international
rebuilding program for Atlantic blue marlin. The Pacific bluefin tuna
determination is based on a 2018 assessment conducted by the
International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in
the North Pacific Ocean, using data through 2016. Based on domestic
status determination criteria, this stock remains subject to
overfishing because F2015-2016 is greater than MFMT, and
overfished because the SSB2016 is less than MSST. The
Pacific Fishery Council has taken action to end domestic overfishing on
this stock.
Finally, NMFS has determined that St. Matthew Island blue king crab
is now overfished. This determination is based on a 2018 assessment,
using survey data through 2018. The assessment supports a determination
of overfished because the annual mature male biomass
(MMB2018) estimate is less than the MSST for this stock.
NMFS has notified the North Pacific Fishery Management Council that it
must develop a rebuilding plan for this fishery.
Dated: May 1, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-09234 Filed 5-6-19; 8:45 am]
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