Status of Stocks 2013

Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Fisheries is pleased to present the 2013 Report on the 

Status of U.S. Fisheries, pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). This year’s 

report highlights the continued progress that, collectively, NOAA 

Fisheries, the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and our 

stakeholders have made to end overfishing and fully rebuild our 

nation’s fish stocks. In 2013, seven stocks came off the overfishing 

list and four stocks are no longer listed as overfished. Additionally, 

recent assessments show two stocks have rebuilt—bringing the 

total number of stocks rebuilt since 2000 to 34. 

These results demonstrate the strength of the U.S. sciencebased management model under the MSA and the importance 

of ending overfishing as the key to addressing past overfishing 

problems. While new stocks have been added to both the overfishing and overfished lists 

this year, the status of many of these stocks was previously unknown. Managers now 

have the status information they need to develop plans to end overfishing and rebuild 

these stocks.

Sustainable management of our fish stocks is critically important to the nation’s 

economy. Commercial fishing supports fishermen and fishing communities and provides 

Americans with a local source of healthy food. Recreational fishing is an important 

social activity for individuals and families, and is a critical economic contributor to local 

communities and regional economies. Combined, U.S. commercial and recreational 

saltwater fishing generated more than $199 billion in sales and supported 1.7 million 

jobs in 2012. Subsistence fishing provides an essential, culturally significant food source 

for many people. 

By ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, 

we are strengthening the value of fisheries to 

the economy, our communities, and marine 

ecosystems. To sustain this progress, we 

must continue to ensure solid, science-based 

determinations of stock status and better 

linkages to biological, socioeconomic, and 

ecosystem conditions. With the support of 

the Councils, commercial and recreational 

fishermen, states, and all of our other partners, 

we will strive to manage U.S. fisheries for the 

benefit of the nation.

A Message from the Assistant 

Administrator for Fisheries

STATUS 2012 (%) 2013 (%)

On the 

Overfishing 

List

29 (10%) 28 (9%)

On the 

Overfished 

List

41 (19%) 40 (17%)

Total Rebuilt 

since 2000

32 34

Summary of Changes

Eileen Sobeck

Assistant Administrator for 

NOAA Fisheries
Status of Stocks 2013

2 Status of Stocks 2013

Changes to the status of our nation’s 

marine fish stocks:

•	 Seven stocks were removed from the 

overfishing list, while six stocks were 

added.

•	 The overfishing status of four of 

the added stocks was previously 

unknown.

•	 Nine percent of stocks are on the 

overfishing list, compared with 10 

percent in 2012.

•	 Four stocks were removed from the 

overfished list, and three were added.

•	 The overfished status of two of the 

added stocks was previously 

unknown.

•	 Seventeen percent of stocks are on the 

overfished list, compared with 19 

percent in 2012.

Summary of 2013 Results

•	 Two stocks managed under rebuilding 

plans have rebuilt, bringing the total 

number of rebuilt stocks to 34 since 

2000.

Of the 478 stocks and stock complexes 

managed in federal fishery management 

plans, we have information to make 

overfishing status determinations for 

300 (63 percent) and overfished status 

determinations for 230 (48 percent). Of 

those stocks that contribute approximately 

90 percent of total fishery landings, the 

overfishing status is known for 85 percent 

and overfished status is known for 79 

percent. Details on all our managed stocks 

are available online at: www.nmfs.noaa.

gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/status_of_fisheries.

Ending Overfishing Through 

Annual Catch Limits

In 2007, Congress enacted a requirement 

to use annual catch limits (ACL) to end 

and prevent overfishing. All federal 

fisheries, including stocks currently 

listed as experiencing overfishing and 

as overfished, are operating under 

ACLs. Stock assessments show that the 

number of domestic stocks experiencing 

overfishing continues to decline. NOAA 

Fisheries and the Councils are actively 

monitoring how well ACLs control 

catch and are working to prevent further 

overfishing.

Rebuilding and 

Improving Stocks

When it is determined that a stock is 

overfished, the relevant Council must 

implement a rebuilding plan. A typical 

rebuilding plan allows fishing to continue, 

but at a reduced level so that the stock 

will increase to its target level and can 

produce the maximum sustainable yield 

(MSY)—the largest long-term average 

catch that can be taken from a stock 

under prevailing environmental and 

fishery conditions. Fifty stocks and stock 

complexes currently are under rebuilding 

plans, including 13 stocks that are no 

longer on the overfished list because they 

have increased in abundance and are not 

yet at the target level that supports MSY.

Black sea bass, a Southern Atlantic 

stock managed by the South Atlantic 

Fishery Management Council, is a recent 

rebuilding success story. This popular 

stock, which ranges from Cape Hatteras, 

North Carolina, to the Florida Keys, was 

declared overfished and a rebuilding 

plan put in place in 2006. Management 

measures such as a constant catch plan, 

as well as changes in the recreational 

bag limit and fish size limits for both the 

commercial and recreational fisheries, 

Continuing Improvement

A researcher with a black sea bass. The Southern 

Atlantic Coast stock of black sea bass was declared 

rebuilt in 2013. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Overfishing list # (%) of stocks/

stock complexes

Known status 300

Not subject to 

overfishing 272 (91%)

Subject to overfishing 28 (9%)

Unknown status 178

Overfished list # (%) of stocks/

stock complexes

Known status 230

Not overfished 190 (83%)

Overfished 40 (17%)

Unknown status 248

Status Determination 

Listings for All Stocks

For definitions of overfished 

and overfishing, please see 

page six.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 3

led to an early recovery of the stock. 

As a result of rebuilding, annual catch 

limits have more than doubled. This 

is important to recreational anglers, 

charter boat captains, and commercial 

fishermen alike. According to the latest 

Fisheries Economics of the U.S. report, in 

2012 recreational marine anglers in the 

South Atlantic states spent more than $6.5 

billion, generating over 34,000 jobs in east 

Florida alone. Black sea bass is also an 

important commercial species and many 

fishermen expect to see incomes rise with 

increased catch limits for this stock.

NOAA Fisheries monitors the progress 

of all rebuilding stocks, and makes 

adjustments to plans if needed. Current 

information on fishing mortality and 

biomass trends for stocks in rebuilding 

plans is available online at: www.nmfs.

noaa.gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/status_of_

fisheries.

Summary of changes in stock status in 2013

Overfishing List

The following stocks are no longer on the

overfishing list:

The following stocks were added to the

overfishing list: 

White hake–Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank

Red grouper–Southern Atlantic Coast

Black sea bass–Southern Atlantic Coast

Gag–Gulf of Mexico

Gray triggerfish–Gulf of Mexico

Greater amberjack–Gulf of Mexico 

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Octopus Complex

Thorny skate–Gulf of Maine1

Winter skate–Georges Bank/Southern New England1

Gulf of Mexico hogfish2

South Atlantic blueline tilefish2

Gulf of Mexico Jacks Complex2

Striped marlin–Western and Central North Pacific2,3

Overfished List

The following stocks are no longer on the

overfished list:

The following stocks were added to the

overfished list: 

Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon (rebuilt)

White hake–Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank

Red grouper–Southern Atlantic Coast

Cowcod–Pacific Coast

Pacific bluefin tuna–Pacific, PFMC/WPFMC3,4, 5

Striped marlin–Western and Central North Pacific2,3

South Atlantic blueline tilefish2

Rebuilt List

The following stocks were rebuilt:

Black sea bass–Southern Atlantic Coast

Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon

1. Survey catches declined 20 percent averaged over 3 years.

2. Stock status was formerly listed as unknown.

3. These highly migratory stocks are fished by international fleets, in addition to the United States. The U.S. proportion of total catch for 

these stocks was 14% of total catch from 2006-2010.

4. PFMC–Pacific Fishery Management Council, WPFMC–Western Pacific Fishery Management Council

5. Stock size was estimated well below its threshold during a recent assessment.

478 stocks and stock 

complexes are managed 

within 46 federal fishery 

management plans 

nationwide.

Credit: Gail Smith, Alaska Department of

Fish and Game
Status of Stocks 2013

4 Status of Stocks 2013

Stocks on the Overfishing List in 2013

North Pacific 

 • None 

Pacific and Western Pacific

1. Bigeye tuna—Pacific*

2. Pacific bluefin tuna—Pacific*

Western Pacific

1. Striped marlin—Central Western Pacific*

Gulf of Mexico 

1. Hogfish

2. Jacks Complex

Highly Migratory Species 

1. Albacore—North Atlantic*

2. Blacknose shark—Atlantic

3. Blue marlin—Atlantic*

4. Bluefin tuna—West Atlantic*

5. Dusky shark—Atlantic

6. Sailfish—West Atlantic*

7. White marlin—Atlantic*

8. Scalloped hammerhead—Atlantic

New England

1. Atlantic cod—Georges Bank

2. Atlantic cod—Gulf of Maine

3. Haddock—Gulf of Maine

4. Windowpane—Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank

5. Witch flounder

6. Yellowtail flounder—Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine

7. Yellowtail flounder—Georges Bank

8. Thorny skate—Gulf of Maine

9. Winter skate—George Bank/Southern 

 New England

Mid-Atlantic

 • None

South Atlantic

1. Gag

2. Red snapper

3. Snowy grouper

4. Speckled hind

5. Warsaw grouper

6. Blueline tilefish

Caribbean

 • None

Stocks in italics are also on the overfished list.

* Stock is fished by U.S. and International fleets.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 5

Stocks on the Overfished List in 2013

North Pacific 

1. Blue king crab—Pribilof Islands 

Pacific

1. Canary rockfish 

2. Pacific ocean perch 

3. Yelloweye rockfish 

Pacific and Western Pacific

1. Pacific bluefin tuna—Pacific

Western Pacific 

1. Striped marlin—Central Western Pacific

2. Seamount Groundfish Complex—

 Hancock Seamount 

Gulf of Mexico 

1. Gag 

2. Gray triggerfish 

3. Greater amberjack 

4. Red snapper 

Highly Migratory Species 

1. Albacore—North Atlantic*

2. Blacknose shark—Atlantic

3. Blue marlin—Atlantic*

4. Bluefin tuna—West Atlantic* 

5. Dusky shark—Atlantic

6. Porbeagle shark—Atlantic 

7. Sandbar shark—Atlantic 

8. White marlin—Atlantic* 

9. Scalloped hammerhead—Atlantic

New England 

1. Atlantic cod—Georges Bank 

2. Atlantic cod—Gulf of Maine 

3. Atlantic halibut 

4. Atlantic salmon

5. Atlantic wolffish 

6. Ocean pout 

7. Thorny skate 

8. Yellowtail flounder—Georges Bank

9. Yellowtail flounder—Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine

10. Windowpane—Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank 

11. Winter flounder—Southern New England/

 Mid-Atlantic 

12. Witch flounder 

Mid-Atlantic

 • None

South Atlantic

1. Red porgy 

2. Red snapper 

3. Snowy grouper 

4. Blueline tilefish

Caribbean

1. Grouper Unit 1 

2. Grouper Unit 2 

3. Grouper Unit 4 

4. Queen conch 

* Stock is fished by U.S. and International fleets.
Status of Stocks 2013

6 Status of Stocks 2013

The MSA requires that a fishery 

management plan specify objective 

and measurable criteria, or reference 

points, for determining when a stock 

is subject to overfishing or overfished. 

A scientific analysis of the abundance 

and composition of a fish stock (stock 

assessment) evaluates the stock against 

its reference points. Stock assessments 

use the best information available, which 

may include data from fishery landings, 

scientific surveys, and biological and 

ecological studies. A stock assessment 

typically undergoes peer review by 

independent scientists before it is 

accepted as the best scientific information 

available. Generally, we use the stock 

assessment and the reference points to 

determine whether the stock is subject 

to overfishing or overfished. Information 

from the stock assessment is used by the 

Councils to recommend the annual catch 

limit for the stock. 

Stock Status—What does 

it all mean?

Federal fishery management is based on 

the concept of maximum sustainable yield 

(MSY)—the largest long-term average 

catch that can be taken from a stock under 

prevailing environmental and fishery 

conditions. The target level of stock 

abundance is the biomass (population) 

that can produce MSY.

What is the difference between 

“overfishing” and “overfished?” 

A stock that is subject to overfishing 

has a fishing mortality (harvest) rate 

higher than the rate that produces MSY. 

A determination of overfishing does 

not necessarily mean that the fishery 

is not sustainable or that the stock or 

its ecosystem is being impaired. These 

negative outcomes are associated with 

high levels of overfishing over a period 

of many years. Current management 

approaches, including annual catch limits 

and accountability measures to prevent 

overfishing, greatly reduce the likelihood 

that damaging levels of overfishing will 

occur. 

A stock that is overfished has a biomass 

level depleted to a degree that the 

stock’s capacity to produce the MSY is 

jeopardized. In some cases overfishing 

is the main cause for depletion of the 

stock, but other factors can affect the 

abundance of a fish stock and lead to an 

overfished listing. These factors include 

abnormal levels of disease, extreme 

population cycles, habitat degradation, 

and environmental changes such as 

climate, ocean acidification, and landbased pollution. When we determine that 

a stock is overfished, the Council must 

implement a plan to rebuild it to the level 

that can support the MSY.

What does “rebuilt” mean?

A rebuilt stock is one that was previously 

overfished and that has increased in 

abundance to the target level that supports 

its MSY.

The Science Behind Stock Status 

Chinook salmon (Sacramento River fall stock) was 

removed from the overfished list and declared 

rebuilt in 2013. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 7

0

100

200

300

400

Target

Biomass (Population)

2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Year

Recent Trends in South Atlantic Black Sea Bass

A rebuilding plan for South Atlantic black sea bass was put in place in 2006. The stock was 

declared rebuilt in 2013, with biomass (population) levels above the target.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

NOAA Fisheries Home Page

www.fisheries.noaa.gov

Stock Status Updates 

See the latest quarterly update and supporting 

documents: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/

status_of_fisheries

FishWatch

Providing easy-to-understand 

science-based facts to help you 

make smart sustainable seafood 

choices: www.fishwatch.gov

Species Profile

Read about black sea bass management: 

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_

atl/sg/bsb

Economic Impacts

Read Fishery Economics of the U.S. 2012: 

www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/economics/publications/

feus/fisheries_economics_2012

Climate Vulnerability 

www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/ecosystems/climate/

activities/assessing-vulnerability-of-fish-stocks

Habitat Blueprint 

www.habitat.noaa.gov/habitatblueprint 

Credit: NOAA Fisheries

The rebuilding of South Atlantic black sea bass illustrates the lows 

and highs of a stock in transition. As black sea bass started to 

rebuild, there was pressure to increase the catch limits. People were 

seeing more fish and they wanted to catch them. Because catch was 

held constant during the rebuilding years, the stock rebuilt early, and 

catch limits have more than doubled from levels set in the beginning 

of the rebuilding plan. For the fishermen who had to live with low 

limits so that black sea bass could rebuild, the new catch limits 

will be good news. Last year, both the recreational and commercial 

seasons ended by early fall. This year, fishermen should be able to 

fish much later into the winter.
Status of Stocks 2013

8 Status of Stocks 2013

A publication of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., 

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

National Marine Fisheries Service, Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

U.S. fisheries play an enormous 

role in the nation’s economy. When 

stocks are rebuilt, they provide more 

economic opportunities for commercial, 

recreational, and subsistence fishing. 

Rebuilt stocks also contribute to a healthy 

ecosystem. To continue our progress in 

ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, 

we must ensure solid, science-based 

determinations of stock status and better 

linkages to biological, socioeconomic, 

and ecosystem conditions. It is also 

increasingly important that we better 

understand ecosystem and habitat factors, 

as resilient ecosystems and habitat form 

the foundation for robust fisheries and 

fishing jobs. NOAA is investing in efforts 

to better understand the effects of climate 

change on fisheries, reduce bycatch, and 

focus habitat conservation resources 

where they can have the greatest impact.

In addition, the MSA provides flexibility 

for bringing ecosystem considerations 

into fisheries management. This flexibility 

is one of the Act’s strengths, allowing us 

to meet our responsibilities under the 

MSA in concert with related legislation, 

such as the Marine Mammal Protection 

Act and the Endangered Species Act. The 

alignment of measures to conserve habitat 

and protected species with measures to 

end overfishing and rebuild and manage 

Achieving Sustainability – 

Looking Ahead

fish stocks will be a key component 

of NOAA’s success in implementing 

ecosystem-based fisheries management 

and toward continually strengthening the 

sustainable management of our fisheries.

We view sustainability not as an endpoint 

but as a dynamic process. This report 

demonstrates that fisheries management 

under the MSA is steadily and effectively 

working to address overfishing and 

rebuild stocks.

In 2013, red grouper (Southern Atlantic Coast) was 

removed from both the overfished and overfishing lists. 

Credit: Douglas E. Kesling, UNC-Wilmington, CIOERT 

Credit: NOAA Fisheries