[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P