Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition, 14349-14350 [2023-04734]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14349-14350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04734]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC677]


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 
of fish are now subject to overfishing or overfished: Gulf of Maine 
haddock, Gulf of Mexico cubera snapper, Gulf of Mexico Jacks Complex, 
and Gulf of Mexico Mid-water Snapper Complex are now subject to 
overfishing, and Pacific bluefin tuna, Pacific sardine, Bering Sea snow 
crab, Saint Matthew Island blue king crab, Southern New England/Mid-
Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Atlantic 
wolffish, Northwestern Atlantic ocean pout, Northwestern Atlantic witch 
flounder, Atlantic herring, Atlantic halibut, and Georges Bank 
yellowtail flounder all continue to be overfished. NMFS, on behalf of 
the Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional fishery management 
council (Council) 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 (Magnuson-
Stevens 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.
    NMFS has determined that Gulf of Maine haddock, Gulf of Mexico 
cubera snapper, Gulf of Mexico Jacks Complex, and Gulf of Mexico Mid-
water Snapper Complex are now subject to overfishing. The Gulf of Maine 
haddock determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed 
in 2022 and using data through 2021, which indicates that this stock is 
subject to overfishing because the fishing mortality rate was above the 
threshold. The Gulf of Mexico stocks--cubera snapper, Jacks Complex, 
and Mid-water Snapper Complex--were not assessed in 2022, so landings 
data from 2021 were used to support the status determination of subject 
to overfishing. For each of the Gulf of Mexico stocks or complexes, 
2021 landings were greater than their respective overfishing limit. 
NMFS has notified the New England Council (for haddock) and the Gulf of 
Mexico Council (for the Gulf of Mexico stocks) of their requirement to 
end overfishing on these stocks.
    NMFS has determined that Pacific bluefin tuna, Pacific sardine, 
Bering Sea snow crab, Saint Matthew Island blue king crab, Southern New 
England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank 
Atlantic wolffish, Northwestern Atlantic ocean pout, Northwestern 
Atlantic witch flounder, Atlantic herring, Atlantic halibut, and 
Georges Bank yellowtail flounder all remain overfished.
    The Pacific bluefin tuna determination is based on the most recent 
assessment, conducted by the International Scientific Committee for 
Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean completed in 2022 
using data through 2020. Applying domestic status determination 
criteria, this stock remains overfished because the spawning stock 
biomass is below its threshold. The Pacific sardine determination is 
based on the most recent assessment, conducted in 2022 using data from 
2021 and supports a determination that the stock remains overfished 
because the biomass level is below its threshold. NMFS continues to 
work with the Pacific Council to rebuild these stocks.
    The Bering Sea snow crab and Saint Matthew Island blue king crab 
determinations are based on the most recent assessments, completed in 
2022 using data through 2022, which indicate that the stocks remain 
overfished because the biomass estimates are below their thresholds. 
NMFS continues to work with the North Pacific Council to rebuild these 
stocks.
    The Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Gulf of 
Maine/Georges Bank Atlantic wolffish, Northwestern Atlantic ocean pout, 
and Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder determinations are based on 
the most recent assessment, completed in 2022 using data through 2021, 
which supports the determinations that these stocks remain overfished 
because the biomass estimates are below their thresholds. The Atlantic 
herring determination is based on the most recent assessment, finalized 
in 2022, using data through 2021, which

[[Page 14350]]

supports a determination that the stock continues to be overfished 
because the biomass remains below its threshold. The Atlantic halibut 
and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder determinations are based on 
qualitative estimates of stock size, suggesting that biomass is low. 
NMFS continues to work with the New England Council to rebuild these 
stocks.

    Dated: March 3, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04734 Filed 3-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P