82 FR 18434 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 74 (April 19, 2017)

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 or overfished: South Atlantic golden tilefish and the Western and Central Pacific stock of Pacific bigeye tuna are subject to overfishing; South Atlantic blueline tilefish is still subject to overfishing; and Pacific bluefin tuna in the North Pacific Ocean and South Atlantic red snapper are still both overfished and subject to overfishing. 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 or a stock is approaching an overfished condition.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18434-18435]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07923]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF203


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 or overfished: South Atlantic golden 
tilefish and the Western and Central Pacific stock of Pacific bigeye 
tuna are subject to overfishing; South Atlantic blueline tilefish is 
still subject to overfishing; and Pacific bluefin tuna in the North 
Pacific Ocean and South Atlantic red snapper are still both overfished 
and subject to overfishing. NMFS, on behalf of the

[[Page 18435]]

Secretary, notifies the appropriate fishery management council 
(Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock 
is in an overfished condition or a stock is 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 (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), and implementing regulations at 50 
CFR 600.310(e)(2) and (j)(1), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, must 
notify Councils, and publish 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 golden tilefish is subject 
to overfishing. This determination is based on the most recent stock 
assessment (SEDAR 25 Update), finalized in 2016, which supports a 
finding of subject to overfishing because estimates of fishing 
mortality (F) are above the maximum fishing mortality threshold, or 
MFMT. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has been informed 
that they must take action to end overfishing immediately on this 
stock.
    NMFS has determined that the Western and Central Pacific (WCP) 
stock of Pacific bigeye tuna is subject to overfishing. This 
determination is based on a 2014 stock assessment update conducted by 
the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and accepted by the Western 
and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. NMFS has determined that 
section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) applies because (1) the 
overfishing of the WCP stock of Pacific bigeye tuna is due largely to 
excessive international fishing pressure, and (2) the applicable 
regional fishery management organizations have inadequate measures in 
place to correct the problem. NMFS has informed the Western Pacific 
Fishery Management Council and the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
of their obligations for international and domestic management under 
Magnuson-Stevens Act sections 304(i) and 304(i)(2) to address 
international and domestic impacts, respectively. The Councils must 
develop recommendations for domestic regulations to address the 
relative impact of the domestic fishing fleet on the stock, and develop 
recommendations to the Secretary of State and Congress for 
international actions to end overfishing on the WCP stock of bigeye 
tuna.
    NMFS has determined that South Atlantic blueline tilefish is still 
subject to overfishing. A 2014 stock assessment determined that the 
stock was subject to overfishing (79 FR 28686, May 19, 2014). This 
stock was not assessed in 2016, so landings were compared to the 
overfishing level (OFL). Final landings in 2015 exceeded the OFL for 
this stock, which supports a determination of subject to overfishing. 
NMFS continues to work with the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council to end overfishing.
    In addition, NMFS has determined that South Atlantic red snapper 
continues to be subject to overfishing and is in an overfished 
condition. A 2010 assessment determined that this stock was subject to 
overfishing and in an overfished condition. That assessment found that 
estimates of F were above the MFMT and the stock size was less than the 
minimum stock size threshold, or MSST. This latest determination is 
based on the most recent stock assessment (SEDAR 41), finalized in 
2016, which provides no basis to change the determination that the 
stock is subject to overfishing and is overfished. NMFS continues to 
work with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to end 
overfishing and rebuild this stock.
    Finally, NMFS has determined that Pacific bluefin tuna in the North 
Pacific Ocean continues to be subject to overfishing and is in an 
overfished condition. A 2014 assessment determined that this stock was 
subject to overfishing and in an overfished condition (80 FR 12621, 
March 10, 2015). This latest determination is based on a 2016 
assessment conducted by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna 
and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean, in conjunction with 
NOAA scientists.
    NMFS has determined that section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
applies because (1) the overfishing and overfished condition of Pacific 
bluefin tuna in the North Pacific Ocean is due largely to excessive 
international fishing pressure, and (2) there are no management 
measures (or efficiency measures) to end overfishing under an 
international agreement to which the United States is a party. NMFS has 
informed the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council of their obligations for international and 
domestic management under Magnuson-Stevens Act sections 304(i) and 
304(i)(2) to address international and domestic impacts, respectively. 
The Councils must develop recommendations for domestic regulations to 
address the relative impact of the domestic fishing fleet on the stock, 
and develop recommendations to the Secretary of State and Congress for 
international actions to end overfishing and rebuild the Pacific 
bluefin tuna in the North Pacific Ocean.

    Dated: April 14, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07923 Filed 4-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P