[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 4, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 70132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24385]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA543]


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 Atlantic herring is 
now overfished, and Gulf of Maine thorny skate and Pacific sardine are 
both 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 Atlantic herring is now overfished and 
Gulf of Maine thorny skate is still overfished. The Atlantic herring 
determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 
2020, using data through 2019, which indicates that this stock is 
overfished because the spawning stock biomass is below the threshold. 
The thorny skate determination is based on the most recent stock status 
update, completed in 2020, using data through 2019, which indicates 
that this stock is still overfished because the 3-year average biomass 
index remains below the threshold. NMFS has notified the New England 
Fishery Management Council of the requirement to rebuild these stocks.
    NMFS has determined that Pacific sardine is still overfished. This 
determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 
2020, using data through 2019, which indicates that this stock is still 
overfished because the biomass remains below the threshold. NMFS has 
notified the Pacific Fishery Management Council of the requirement to 
rebuild this stock.

    Dated: October 29, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24385 Filed 11-3-20; 8:45 am]
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