[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 34144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14625]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD930


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 are in an overfished condition: Gulf of 
Maine/Northern Georges Bank red hake, which is managed by the New 
England Fishery Management Council, is now subject to overfishing, but 
is not overfished; and Southeast Florida hogfish, which is jointly 
managed by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils, is now subject to overfishing and is in an overfished 
condition. 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), 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. Section 
304(e)(2) further requires NMFS to publish these notices in the Federal 
Register.
    NMFS has determined that the Gulf of Maine/Northern Georges Bank 
stock of red hake is now subject to overfishing. The New England 
Fishery Management Council has been informed that they must end 
overfishing on this stock.
    NMFS has determined that the Southeast Florida stock of hogfish is 
now subject to overfishing and in an overfished condition. The 
Southeast Florida stock of hogfish was recently identified as a 
separate stock among a total of three hogfish stocks. The Gulf of 
Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council have been informed that they must end overfishing 
and rebuild the Southeast Florida stock of hogfish.

    Dated: June 9, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14625 Filed 6-12-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P