Notice2025-07049
Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
Primary source
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Published
April 24, 2025
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 witch flounder and Saint Matthew Island blue king crab continue to be overfished; Gulf of America lane snapper, Southern Atlantic snowy grouper and Southern Atlantic gag continue to be subject to overfishing; and Southern Atlantic blueline tilefish is now subject to overfishing. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, is required to provide this notice 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 90 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 24, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 78 (Thursday, April 24, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17245-17246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07049]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE653]
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 witch flounder and
Saint Matthew Island blue king crab continue to be overfished; Gulf of
America lane snapper, Southern Atlantic snowy grouper and Southern
Atlantic gag continue to be subject to overfishing; and Southern
Atlantic blueline tilefish is now subject to overfishing. NMFS, on
behalf of the Secretary, is required to provide this notice whenever it
determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing,
overfished, or 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, 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. To comply with Executive Order
(E.O.) 14172, this notice uses the term ``Gulf of America'' for all
references to the area referred to as the ``Gulf of Mexico'' in the
regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
NMFS has determined that Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder
continues to be overfished. This determination is based on the most
recent assessment completed in 2024 and using data through 2023 that
continued to support the determination that the stock remains
overfished. NMFS continues to work with the New England Fishery
Management Council to rebuild this stock.
NMFS has determined that the Saint Matthew Island blue king crab
continues to be overfished. This determination is based on the most
recent assessment, completed in 2024 using data through 2024 that found
that the mature male biomass is less than the minimum stock size
threshold. NMFS continues to work with the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council to rebuild this stock.
NMFS has determined that Gulf of America lane snapper continues to
be subject to overfishing. This determination is based on landings data
from 2023 that found the landings were greater than the overfishing
limit (OFL). NMFS continues to work with the Gulf of Mexico \1\ Fishery
Management Council to end overfishing on this stock.
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\1\ As established in section 302(a)(1)(E) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1852(a)(1)(E)).
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NMFS has determined that both Southern Atlantic snowy grouper and
Southern Atlantic gag continue to be subject to overfishing. These
determinations are based on landings data from 2023 that found the
landings were greater than the OFL for both stocks. NMFS continues to
work with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to end
overfishing on these stocks.
NMFS has determined that Southern Atlantic blueline tilefish is now
subject to overfishing. This determination is based on landings data
from 2023 that found the landings were greater than the OFL. NMFS has
notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council of its
requirement to end overfishing.
[[Page 17246]]
Dated: April 18, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-07049 Filed 4-23-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 24, 2025.
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