82 FR 52888 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 219 (November 15, 2017)

Page Range		52888-52889
FR Document		2017-24686

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 approaching an overfished condition. The Stillaguamish coho salmon stock in Puget Sound is now subject to overfishing. The Klamath River fall Chinook salmon stock on the Northern California coast, the Queets coho salmon stock on the Washington coast, and the Skagit coho salmon stock in Puget Sound are all approaching an overfished condition. The Puerto Rico spiny lobster stock and the Puerto Rico Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex are both still 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 Issue 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52888-52889]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24686]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF728


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 approaching an overfished condition. The 
Stillaguamish coho salmon stock in Puget Sound is now subject to 
overfishing. The Klamath River fall Chinook salmon stock on the 
Northern California coast, the Queets coho salmon stock on the 
Washington coast, and the Skagit coho salmon stock in Puget Sound are 
all approaching an overfished condition. The Puerto Rico spiny lobster 
stock and the Puerto Rico Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex are both 
still 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.

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), 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 the Stillaguamish coho salmon stock in 
Puget Sound is now subject to overfishing, as the current estimate of 
fishing mortality (F) exceeds its maximum fishing mortality threshold 
(MFMT). This determination is based on a 2017 assessment--using data 
from 2015--produced by the Pacific Fishery Management Council's 
(Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT). The Pacific Council 
manages this stock. Since this stock migrates north, it is also managed 
under the Pacific Salmon Treaty (Treaty), a bilateral agreement to 
facilitate management of certain salmon stocks between the United 
States and Canada. The Pacific Salmon Commission (Commission) 
implements this Treaty. NMFS has informed the Pacific Council of this 
determination and that, if exceedance of MFMT for Stillaguamish coho 
continues, the Council may consider taking further action, consistent 
with the provisions of the FMP. Due to the international management of 
this stock, the Pacific Council has limited ability to control ocean 
fisheries in waters outside their jurisdiction.
    NMFS has determined that the Klamath River fall Chinook salmon 
stock on the Northern California coast,

[[Page 52889]]

the Queets coho salmon stock on the Washington coast, and the Skagit 
coho salmon stock in Puget Sound are all approaching an overfished 
condition. These determinations are made when the 3-year geometric mean 
of each 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 (MSST). The 
determination for Chinook is based on a 2017 assessment--using data 
from 2015-2017--produced by the Pacific Council's STT using 
methodologies that have been reviewed by the Pacific Council's Science 
and Statistical Committee. The determinations for the two coho stocks 
are based on a 2017 assessment--using data from 2014-2015, 2017--
produced by the Commission's Coho Technical Committee. NMFS informed 
the Pacific Council that if any of these stocks become overfished, they 
must direct the STT to prepare a rebuilding plan within one year. Due 
to the international management of the coho stocks, the Pacific Council 
has limited ability to control ocean fisheries in waters outside their 
jurisdiction.
    NMFS has determined that Puerto Rico spiny lobster and the Puerto 
Rico Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex are both still subject to 
overfishing because the 2015 landings exceeded the overfishing limits 
(OFLs). NMFS is working with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
to implement conservation and management measures to end overfishing on 
this stock and stock complex.

    Dated: November 8, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24686 Filed 11-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

52888 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 15, 2017 / Notices

also be killed because juveniles from researchers do not propose to kill any Commerce (Secretary), has found that
different ESUs cannot be distinguished fish but a small number may die as an the following stocks are subject to
visually. Fish that are killed would be unintended result of research activities. overfishing or approaching an
frozen individually and later identified overfished condition. The Stillaguamish
Permit 21507
to ESU using genetic analysis. The coho salmon stock in Puget Sound is
researchers would pool UWR Chinook Mount Hood Environmental is now subject to overfishing. The Klamath
specimens into composite samples for seeking a research permit, for three River fall Chinook salmon stock on the
toxicological analysis and would use years, that would allow them to take Northern California coast, the Queets
scales and otoliths for analysis of age juvenile and adult UWR steelhead and coho salmon stock on the Washington
and growth. Specimens that are UWR Chinook in the Tualatin River coast, and the Skagit coho salmon stock
identified through genetic analysis to an (Oregon). The purpose of the research is in Puget Sound are all approaching an
ESU other than the UWR Chinook ESU to determine if salmonids and lamprey overfished condition. The Puerto Rico
would be saved and offered for use in are present in the intake channel from spiny lobster stock and the Puerto Rico
other studies pending NMFS approval. the Tualatin River to the Spring Hill Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex
The NWFSC researchers used Pumping Plant and if these fish are are both still subject to overfishing.
information from past studies to likely to be entrained in the intake. The NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary,
estimate the number of fish needed to study would benefit listed fish by notifies the appropriate fishery
obtain enough tissues for statistically providing information to manage and management council (Council)
robust sample sizes, and to estimate mitigate for potential entrainment of whenever it determines that overfishing
expected mortality rates of fish from these fish during early life-stages. The is occurring, a stock is in an overfished
non-target ESUs. Based on this researchers propose to work in the condition or a stock is approaching an
information, the NWFSC proposes to intake channel, where they would overfished condition.
intentionally kill up to: 201 natural- measure water temperature and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
origin and 9 hatchery-origin (intact velocity, capture fish by seining, Regina Spallone, (301) 427–8568.
adipose fin) juvenile UWR Chinook trapping, and boat-electrofishing, hold
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
salmon; 119 natural-origin and 5 fish in aerated buckets, identify them,
hatchery-origin (intact adipose fin) to section 304(e)(2) of the Magnuson-
and then release them back to the
juvenile LCR Chinook salmon; 4 Stevens Fishery Conservation and
channel. The researchers do not propose
natural-origin juvenile SR fall-run Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
to kill any fish but a small number may
Chinook salmon; 2 natural-origin Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on
die as an unintended result of research
juvenile SR spring/summer-run Chinook behalf of the Secretary, must notify
activities.
salmon; and 5 natural-origin juvenile This notice is provided pursuant to Councils, and publish in the Federal
UCR spring-run Chinook salmon. Any section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will Register, whenever it determines that a
Chinook salmon unintentionally killed evaluate the applications, associated stock or stock complex is subject to
during the research would be used in documents, and comments submitted to overfishing, overfished, or approaching
lieu of a fish that would otherwise be determine whether the applications an overfished condition.
sacrificed. The NWFSC does not intend meet the requirements of section 10(a) NMFS has determined that the
to kill any fish that is not a juvenile of the ESA and Federal regulations. The Stillaguamish coho salmon stock in
Chinook salmon, but a small number of final permit decisions will not be made Puget Sound is now subject to
individuals from other species may die until after the end of the 30-day overfishing, as the current estimate of
as an unintended result of the research comment period. NMFS will publish fishing mortality (F) exceeds its
activities. notice of its final action in the Federal maximum fishing mortality threshold
Register. (MFMT). This determination is based on
Permit 21432 a 2017 assessment—using data from
Cramer Fish Sciences is seeking a Dated: November 8, 2017. 2015—produced by the Pacific Fishery
research permit, for two years, that Angela Somma, Management Council’s (Pacific Council)
would allow them to take juvenile LCR Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office Salmon Technical Team (STT). The
Chinook, LCR coho, LCR steelhead, and of Protected Resources, National Marine Pacific Council manages this stock.
MCR steelhead in the Klickitat, Wind, Fisheries Service. Since this stock migrates north, it is also
and White Salmon River subbasins [FR Doc. 2017–24690 Filed 11–14–17; 8:45 am] managed under the Pacific Salmon
(Washington). The purpose of the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Treaty (Treaty), a bilateral agreement to
research is to determine fish occupancy facilitate management of certain salmon
in stream reaches in lands owned by stocks between the United States and
SDS Lumber Company. Cramer Fish DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Canada. The Pacific Salmon
Sciences proposes to capture fish using Commission (Commission) implements
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
single-pass backpack electrofishing, this Treaty. NMFS has informed the
Administration
identify fish while they are held briefly Pacific Council of this determination
in hand-held dip nets, and return fish to RIN 0648–XF728 and that, if exceedance of MFMT for
the stream. The researchers would Stillaguamish coho continues, the
compare results of the electrofishing Determination of Overfishing or an Council may consider taking further
surveys with environmental DNA Overfished Condition action, consistent with the provisions of
(eDNA) studies done in the same stream
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the FMP. Due to the international
reaches, which would provide Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and management of this stock, the Pacific
information on the utility of eDNA Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Council has limited ability to control
analysis for determining fish occupancy. Commerce. ocean fisheries in waters outside their
The research would benefit listed fish ACTION: Notice. jurisdiction.
by affording them protections if they are NMFS has determined that the
found in streams that previously were SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice Klamath River fall Chinook salmon
assessed as non-fish bearing. The that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of stock on the Northern California coast,

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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:36:48
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:36:48

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Contact		Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.
FR Citation		82 FR 52888
RIN Number		0648-XF72

82 FR 52888 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 219 (November 15, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration