Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
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Issuing agencies
Abstract
This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that South Atlantic blueline tilefish is now subject to overfishing; Georges Bank Atlantic cod is still overfished; and Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod is still subject to overfishing and 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 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 23497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08375]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB939]
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 South Atlantic
blueline tilefish is now subject to overfishing; Georges Bank Atlantic
cod is still overfished; and Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod is still
subject to overfishing and 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 South Atlantic blueline tilefish is now
subject to overfishing. Blueline tilefish was not assessed in 2021, and
catch data from 2020 support a determination that this stock is subject
to overfishing because the catch exceeded the threshold. NMFS has
notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council of the
requirement to end and prevent overfishing on this stock.
NMFS has determined that Georges Bank Atlantic cod is still
overfished, and that Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod is still subject to
overfishing and still overfished. The Georges Bank Atlantic cod
determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 2021
using commercial fishery catch data through 2020 and updated research
survey indices of abundance through spring 2021. The assessment cannot
quantitatively determine overfished or overfishing status, but the poor
condition of the stock qualitatively indicates that it remains
overfished. The Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod determination is based on
the most recent assessment, completed in 2021 using data through 2019,
which indicate that the stock is subject to overfishing because the
fishing mortality rate is above the threshold, and overfished because
the biomass is below the threshold. NMFS continues to work with the New
England Fishery Management Council to end overfishing on Gulf of Maine
Atlantic cod and to rebuild both of these stocks.
Dated: April 14, 2022.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08375 Filed 4-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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