[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 7823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02857]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB733]


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 Gulf of Mexico gag is 
now subject to overfishing and overfished; Bering Sea snow crab is now 
overfished; Atlantic mackerel is still subject to overfishing and 
overfished; and Georges Bank winter flounder, Southern New England/Mid-
Atlantic winter flounder, and Atlantic Coast bluefish are still 
overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate 
regional fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines 
that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, overfished, or 
approaching an overfished condition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Frens, (301)-427-8523.

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 a notice 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 gag is now subject to 
overfishing and overfished. The Gulf of Mexico gag determination is 
based on the most recent assessment, completed in 2021 and using data 
through 2019, which indicates that this stock is subject to overfishing 
because the fishing mortality rate is above the threshold, and 
overfished because the stock biomass is below the threshold. NMFS has 
notified the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council of the 
requirement to end overfishing on and to rebuild this stock.
    NMFS has determined that Bering Sea snow crab is now overfished. 
This determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 
2021and using data through 2021, which indicates that this stock is 
overfished because the mature male biomass is below the threshold. NMFS 
has notified the North Pacific Fishery Management Council of the 
requirement to rebuild this stock.
    NMFS has determined that Atlantic mackerel is still subject to 
overfishing and overfished. This determination is based on the most 
recent assessment, completed in 2020 and using data through 2019, which 
indicates that this stock is subject to overfishing because the fishing 
mortality rate is above the threshold, and overfished because the stock 
biomass is below the threshold. NMFS continues to work with the New 
England Fishery Management Council to end overfishing and to rebuild 
this stock.
    NMFS has determined that Georges Bank winter flounder, Southern New 
England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder, and Atlantic Coast bluefish are 
still overfished. The two winter flounder determinations are based on 
the most recent assessments, completed in 2020 and using data through 
2019, which indicate that these stocks are overfished because the 
biomasses are below their respective thresholds. NMFS continues to work 
with the New England Fishery Management Council to rebuild these 
stocks. The Atlantic Coast bluefish determination is based on the most 
recent assessment, completed in 2021 and using data through 2019, which 
indicates that this stock is overfished because the biomass is below 
the threshold. NMFS continues to work with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council to rebuild this stock.

    Dated: February 7, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02857 Filed 2-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P