[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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