[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19744-19745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07323]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XV174]
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 Southern Atlantic
greater amberjack, Southern Atlantic red grouper, Gulf of Mexico
greater amberjack, and Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish are now subject
to overfishing; Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank white hake and Georges Bank
winter flounder are now overfished; Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank
windowpane flounder, Atlantic witch flounder, Southern New England/Mid-
Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Pribilof Islands blue king crab, and
Atlantic white marlin are still overfished; and both Georges Bank
Atlantic cod and Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod are still
[[Page 19745]]
subject to overfishing and 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 Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack and Gulf
of Mexico gray triggerfish are now subject to overfishing. Neither of
these stocks were assessed in 2019 and catch data from 2018 support
determinations that these stocks are subject to overfishing because
total catch for each stock in 2018 exceeded their respective
overfishing limit (OFL). NMFS has notified the Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council of their obligation to end and prevent overfishing
for these stocks.
NMFS has determined that Southern Atlantic greater amberjack and
Southern Atlantic red grouper are now subject to overfishing. Neither
stock was assessed in 2019, and catch data from 2017/2018 (for greater
amberjack) and from 2018 (for red grouper) support determinations that
the stocks are subject to overfishing because total catch for each
stock exceeded their respective OFL. NMFS has notified the South
Atlantic Fishery Management Council of their obligation to end and
prevent overfishing for these stocks.
NMFS has also determined that Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank white hake
and Georges Bank winter flounder are now overfished, and that Gulf of
Maine/Georges Bank windowpane flounder and Southern New England/Mid-
Atlantic yellowtail flounder continue to be overfished. These
determinations are made based on the most recent stock assessments,
completed in 2019 using data through 2018, which indicate that biomass
estimates are now below or remain below thresholds. Atlantic witch
flounder also continues to be overfished, but could not be
quantitatively determined and was qualitatively determined based on
continued poor stock condition. Further, both Georges Bank Atlantic cod
and Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod are still subject to overfishing and
still overfished. The status of Georges Bank cod could not be
quantitatively determined and was qualitatively determined to be
overfished based on continued poor stock condition. The overfishing
status of this stock continues to be based on the last accepted
assessment that provided quantitative information, in 2013. The status
of Gulf of Maine cod is based on the most recent stock assessment,
completed in 2019, using data through 2018, which indicates that
biomass remains below its threshold and fishing mortality remains above
its threshold. NMFS has notified the New England Fishery Management
Council of the requirements to rebuild and to end and prevent
overfishing on these stocks.
NMFS has also determined that Pribilof Islands blue king crab is
still overfished. This determination is based on the most recent
assessment, completed in 2019 using data through 2019, which indicates
that the biomass estimate remains below its threshold. NMFS has
notified the North Pacific Fishery Management Council of the
requirements to rebuild this stock.
NMFS has also determined that Atlantic white marlin is still
overfished domestically. This determination is based on the most recent
stock assessment, completed in 2019 using data through 2017, which
indicates that the biomass estimate remains below its threshold. NMFS
continues to work with the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to rebuild Atlantic white
marlin, including through the first-ever rebuilding program, which was
adopted at the 2019 ICCAT Annual Meeting.
Dated: April 2, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07323 Filed 4-7-20; 8:45 am]
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