81 FR 75381 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 210 (October 31, 2016)

This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the following stocks are subject to overfishing--Hood Canal coho salmon and Pribilof Islands blue king crab; the following salmon stocks are approaching an overfished condition--Quillayute Fall coho and Snohomish coho; and the following stocks are still both overfished and subject to overfishing-- Western and Central North Pacific striped marlin and Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico dusky shark. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition, a stock is approaching an overfished condition, or when a rebuilding plan has not resulted in adequate progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding affected fish stocks.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75381-75382]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26126]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE906


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 the following stocks 
are subject to overfishing--Hood Canal coho salmon and Pribilof Islands 
blue king crab; the following salmon stocks are approaching an 
overfished condition--Quillayute Fall coho and Snohomish coho; and the 
following stocks are still both overfished and subject to overfishing--
Western and Central North

[[Page 75382]]

Pacific striped marlin and Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico dusky shark. 
NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate fishery 
management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is 
occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition, a stock is 
approaching an overfished condition, or when a rebuilding plan has not 
resulted in adequate progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding 
affected fish stocks.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to sections 304(e)(2) and (e)(7) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2) and (e)(7), and implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 600.310(e)(2) and (j)(1), NMFS, on behalf of the 
Secretary, must notify Councils whenever it determines that a stock or 
stock complex is overfished or approaching an overfished condition; or 
if an existing rebuilding plan has not ended overfishing or resulted in 
adequate rebuilding progress. NMFS also notifies Councils when it 
determines a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing.
    NMFS has determined that Hood Canal coho is subject to overfishing, 
based on the most recent salmon stock assessments conducted by the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical 
Team (STT). The Pacific Council has, consistent with the Pacific Coast 
Salmon Fishery Management Plan, already taken action shaping the 2016 
fisheries to ensure Pacific Council area fisheries are not contributing 
to overfishing (May 2, 2016, 81 FR 26157). In addition, NMFS has 
determined that Pribilof Islands blue king crab is subject to 
overfishing based on catch levels exceeding the stock's overfishing 
limit. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has been informed 
that they must take action to end overfishing immediately on this 
stock.
    NMFS has determined that Quillayute Fall coho and Snohomish coho 
salmon are both approaching an overfished condition, based on the most 
recent salmon stock assessments conducted by the Pacific Council STT. 
These salmon stocks will be considered approaching an overfished 
condition if the 3-year geometric mean of the stock's two most recent 
postseason estimates of spawning escapement and the current preseason 
forecast of spawning escapement is below the stock's minimum stock size 
threshold. The Pacific Council has been informed that if either of 
these stocks becomes overfished, they must direct the STT to prepare a 
rebuilding plan within one year.
    In addition, NMFS has determined that both Western and Central 
North Pacific striped marlin and Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico dusky 
shark are still overfished and subject to overfishing, based on the 
most recent assessments of these stocks. The striped marlin's 
determination was based on a 2015 assessment conducted by the Billfish 
Working Group of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and 
Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean. On May 19, 2014, NMFS had 
announced its overfishing and overfished status determination for 
striped marlin, and informed the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council and the Pacific Fishery Management Council of their obligations 
under the MSA to address the domestic and international impact of U.S. 
fisheries on this stock (79 FR 28686). NMFS continues to work with the 
Councils and its partners to meet its domestic and international 
obligations, as specified in that earlier notice.
    The dusky shark determination is based on a 2016 stock assessment 
update to the 21st Southeast Data Assessment and Review benchmark 
assessment for this stock, finalized in 2011. NMFS manages dusky shark 
under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery 
Management Plan and its amendments. Dusky shark has been a prohibited 
species since 2000, and may not be landed or retained in any fisheries. 
However, multiple commercial and recreational fisheries sometimes 
interact with the species as bycatch.

    Dated: October 25, 2016.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26126 Filed 10-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P