Notice2022-02857
Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
Primary source
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Published
February 10, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 7823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 10, 2022.
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