[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44993-44994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20686]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF607


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, or remain, subject to overfishing or overfished: South Atlantic 
red grouper, Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack, and Northwestern 
Atlantic witch flounder. 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 South Atlantic red grouper is subject to 
overfishing and overfished. This determination is based on the most 
recent stock assessment (SEDAR 53), finalized in 2017, using data 
through 2015. This assessment supports a finding of subject to 
overfishing because the current estimate of fishing mortality (F) is 
above the maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), and overfished 
because the spawning stock biomass estimate is less than the

[[Page 44994]]

minimum stock size threshold (MSST). NMFS informed the South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council that they must take action to end 
overfishing immediately on this stock and implement conservation and 
management measures to rebuild it.
    NMFS has determined that the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack is 
subject to overfishing. This determination is based on the most recent 
assessment (SEDAR 33 Update), finalized in 2016, using data through 
2015. This assessment supports a finding of subject to overfishing 
because the current estimate of F is above the MFMT. This stock remains 
overfished because the spawning stock biomass estimate is less than the 
MSST. NMFS informed the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that 
they must take action to end overfishing immediately on this stock and 
implement conservation and management measures to rebuild it.
    NMFS has determined that Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder is 
still overfished and the overfishing status is unknown. The assessment 
peer review panel for this stock rejected the most recent benchmark 
assessment, finalized in 2017, using data through 2015. However, this 
stock is at historical low levels and other signs of poor stock 
condition support this stock remaining listed as overfished. Lack of 
similar reliable indicators for overfishing status support changing the 
overfishing status of this stock to unknown. NMFS has notified the New 
England Fishery Management Council that they must implement 
conservation and management measures to rebuild this stock.

    Dated: September 22, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20686 Filed 9-26-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P