Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

Published date03 August 2020
Citation85 FR 46588
Record Number2020-16832
SectionNotices
CourtCommerce Department,National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 149 (Monday, August 3, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 149 (Monday, August 3, 2020)]
                [Notices]
                [Page 46588]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-16832]
                [[Page 46588]]
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                [RTID 0648-XA283]
                Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
                AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
                ACTION: Notice.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the
                Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that Southern Atlantic red
                porgy is now subject to overfishing and remains overfished, the Western
                and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) stock of striped marlin remains
                both subject to overfishing and overfished, and the Western and Central
                Pacific Ocean (WCPO) stock of oceanic whitetip shark is now both
                subject to overfishing and overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the
                Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional 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 Southern Atlantic red porgy is subject to
                overfishing and remains overfished. This determination is based on the
                most recent assessment, completed in 2020, using data through 2017,
                which indicates that this stock is subject to overfishing because the
                fishing mortality is greater than the threshold and is overfished
                because the spawning stock biomass remains below the threshold. NMFS
                has notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council of the
                requirement to end overfishing immediately and rebuild this stock.
                 NMFS has determined that the WCNPO stock of striped marlin remains
                both subject to overfishing and overfished. This determination is based
                on a 2019 assessment by the Billfish Working Group of the International
                Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North
                Pacific Ocean, using data through 2017. Based on domestic status
                determination criteria, this stock is subject to overfishing because
                the fishing mortality rate is greater than the threshold and is
                overfished because the spawning biomass ratio remains below the
                threshold. NMFS has determined that section 304(i) of the Magnuson-
                Stevens Act applies because the overfishing of the WCNPO stock of
                striped marlin is due largely to excessive international fishing
                pressure, and because it has not been determined that management
                measures adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries
                Commission (WCPFC) will end overfishing and rebuild the stock. NMFS has
                informed the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Western
                Pacific Council) of its obligations for domestic and international
                management under Magnuson-Stevens Act section 304(i) to address
                domestic and international impacts.
                 NMFS has determined that the WCPO stock of oceanic whitetip shark
                is now both subject to overfishing and overfished. This determination
                is based on a 2019 assessment by the Shark Working Group of the WCPFC,
                using data through 2016. Based on domestic status determination
                criteria, this stock is subject to overfishing because the fishing
                mortality is greater than the threshold and is overfished because the
                spawning biomass is below the threshold. NMFS has determined that
                section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act applies because the
                overfishing of the WCPO stock of oceanic whitetip shark is due largely
                to excessive international fishing pressure, and because it has not
                been determined that management measures adopted by the WCPFC will end
                overfishing and rebuild the stock. NMFS has informed the Western
                Pacific Council of its obligations for domestic and international
                management under Magnuson-Stevens Act section 304(i) to address
                domestic and international impacts.
                 Dated: July 29, 2020.
                Jennifer M. Wallace,
                Acting Director, Office of Sustainable FisheriesNational Marine
                Fisheries Service.
                [FR Doc. 2020-16832 Filed 7-31-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
                

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT