noaa

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

NATIONAL

MARINE

FISHERIES

SERVICE

Science, Service, Stewardship

A Message from Eric Schwaab

NOAA’s Assistant Administrator 

for Fisheries

Status Determination by Region

Changes in Stock Status for 2009

2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE 

2009 REPORT TO CONGRESS 

THE STATUS OF U.S. FISHERIES 

As mandated by the Sustainable Fisheries Act amendment to 

the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996 

May, 2010 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Office of Sustainable Fisheries 
 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Results

Overfishing 

• 38 stocks are 

subject to 

overfishing 

• 212 are not

Overfished 

• 46 stocks are 

overfished 

• 157 are not 

• 4 are rebuilt 

A Message from the 

NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s 

Report on the status of the U.S. fisheries for 2009 

 Science – Service - Stewardship 

As NOAA’s newest Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, I am pleased to 

have the opportunity to present the 2009 report on the status of U.S. 

marine fish stocks as one of my first reports. This report reflects the 

tremendous work being done by the National Marine Fisheries Service 

(NMFS), the eight regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils), and 

our Interstate Marine Fisheries Commission partners, and the 

commercial and recreational fishing industries, to rebuild and sustain 

our marine fish stocks for the benefit of the Nation. 

We recognize the importance of ensuring that the fishery resources 

under our management are healthy and productive. The commercial 

seafood industry and the recreational saltwater fishing industry provide 

critical services to our Nation -- food, jobs, recreation, and other 

benefits. 

The report provides a summary of the status of our fisheries – including 

where stocks are improving, and where work remains. Four stocks have 

been declared fully rebuilt, which is certainly good news. And, while the 

majority of our domestic assessed fish stocks are not subject to 

overfishing or not overfished, 38 stocks remain subject to overfishing 

and 46 stocks overfished. 

We will continue to work with the Councils and Commissions to achieve 

the goals of ending overfishing through annual catch limits, rebuilding 

all fish stocks to sustainable levels, and ensuring the benefits of 

productive stocks for future generations. We appreciate the support of 

Congress, stakeholders, and constituencies as we work to accomplish 

these goals for the benefit of the Nation. 

Eric C. Schwaab 
 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of US Fisheries 

 
 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of US Fisheries 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3

Using the Best Available Data ................................................................................. 3

Overview of Overfishing Status .............................................................................. 5

Changes in Overfishing Status ................................................................................................. 5

Overview of Overfished Status ............................................................................... 5

Changes in Overfished Status ................................................................................................... 5

Approaching an Overfished Condition ................................................................ 6

Changes in Approaching an Overfished Condition ............................................................... 6

Biomass Levels ................................................................................................................. 6

Changes in Biomass Levels ....................................................................................................... 6

Biomass and Mortality Trends in Stocks under Rebuilding Plans ...... 8

Implementing Annual Catch Limits ...................................................................... 8

Status Determinations by Region ......................................................................... 9

Northeast Region ....................................................................................................................... 9

Southeast Region ..................................................................................................................... 10

Southwest Region ..................................................................................................................... 11

Northwest Region .................................................................................................................... 12

Pacific Islands Region ............................................................................................................. 13

Alaska Region .......................................................................................................................... 14

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ......................................................................................... 15
1 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Executive Summary 

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that NOAA’s 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) report annually to Congress and the eight Regional 

Fishery Management Councils (Councils) on the status of fisheries (Sec. 304(e)(1)). This 

report fulfills that requirement. 

The information in this report was generated by the NMFS’ regional offices and science 

centers based on the most recent stock assessments as of December 31, 2009. Status 

determinations are generally made during a formal review of a scientific stock assessment 

using the best available scientific information and status determination criteria specified in a 

fishery management plan. 

Stocks discussed in this report are characterized under two broad categories: (1) subject to 

overfishing and (2) overfished. A stock that is subject to overfishing has a fishing mortality 

(harvest) rate above the level that provides for the maximum sustainable yield. A stock that 

is overfished has a biomass level below a biological threshold specified in its fishery 

management plan. 

For 2009, NMFS reviewed 5221

 individual stocks and stock complexes and made 

determinations of both overfishing and overfished status for 193 stocks and complexes; an 

additional 67 have either an overfishing or overfished determination.

Two hundred fifty stocks or stock complexes have 

known overfishing determinations: 212 (85%) are 

not subject to overfishing and 38 (15%) are subject 

to overfishing. These percentages are a slight 

improvement from last year’s report, in which 84 

percent were not subject to overfishing and 16 

percent were. This slight improvement in the 

percentages reflects new assessments which have 

added to the number of stocks with known 

overfishing determinations as well as stocks no 

longer subject to overfishing. 

Two stocks are no longer subject to overfishing: scup – Atlantic Coast and thorny skate – Gulf 

of Maine. A third stock, pink shrimp – Gulf of Mexico, was found to not be subject to 

overfishing because the previous assessment was invalidated. No stock was listed as subject 

to overfishing in 2009. 

 

Two hundred and three stocks have known overfished determinations: 157 (77%) are not 

overfished2

 and 46 (23%) are overfished. These percentages are unchanged from last year’s 

report. 

Five stocks are no longer overfished: scup – Atlantic coast3

, winter skate – Georges 

Bank/Southern New England, bocaccio – Southern Pacific Coast, darkblotched rockfish – 

Pacific coast, and sailfish– Western Atlantic. Four stocks have become overfished: canary 

rockfish – Pacific coast, coho salmon – Washington coast: Queets, coho salmon - Washington 

Coast: Western Strait of Juan de Fuca and Petrale sole – Pacific coast. One stock, previously 

listed as unknown, has been determined to be overfished: gag – Gulf of Mexico. 

 

1

 Compare to 531 in the 2008 report: 12 stocks of crab – Blue king crab - Saint Lawrence Island, Golden king crab - Northern District, Grooved Tanner crab - Bering Sea, Grooved 

Tanner crab - Eastern Aleutian Islands, Grooved Tanner crab - Western Aleutian Islands, Red king crab - Eastern Aleutian Islands, Scarlet king crab - Aleutian Islands, Scarlet king 

crab - Bering Sea, Southern Tanner crab - Eastern Aleutian Islands, Southern Tanner crab - Western Aleutian Islands, Triangle Tanner crab - Bering Sea, and Triangle Tanner crab 

- Eastern Aleutian Islands – are no longer contained in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab FMP (June 16, 2008; 73 FR 33925). The State of Alaska will 

continue to manage these stocks as they currently do under the deferred management authority of the FMP. The new Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area FMP added 

three target stocks: arctic cod, saffron cod, and snow crab (C. opilio) (November 3, 2009; 74 FR 56734). 2

 Number includes 6 stocks that are approaching an overfished condition. 

3

 This stock is also rebuilt. 

Summary of Changes

Subject to overfishing, 2009: 38 (15%) 

Subject to overfishing, 2008: 41 (16%) 

Overfished, 2009: 46 (23%) 

Overfished, 2008: 46 (23%) 
2 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI)

357.5 369.5

413.5 431.5

456

495.5 506.5

531

555.5 573

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Score

Figure 1. FSSI score, calendar years 2000-2009.

Four stocks have fully rebuilt to 100% of their BMSY

4

 levels: Scup - Atlantic Coast, Black sea 

bass – Mid-Atlantic Coast, Blue king crab – St. Matthews Island, and Swordfish – North 

Atlantic. Management of four additional stocks has resulted in biomass levels of at least 80% 

of their maximum sustainable levels: greenstriped rockfish – Pacific coast, splitnose rockfish – 

Pacific coast, rex sole – Gulf of Alaska, and walleye pollock – Western/Central Gulf of Alaska. 

NMFS measures progress towards the sustainability of our nation’s fisheries through the Fish 

Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI). The FSSI measures the performance of 230 key stocks and 

increases as additional assessments are conducted, overfishing is ended and stocks rebuild to 

the level that provides maximum sustainable yield. This index increased from 357.5 in 2000 

to 573 in 2009, see Figure 1 below. The 60% increase in the FSSI in 9 years represents 

significant progress in improving our knowledge of stock status and sustainably managing our 

fisheries. More information about the FSSI can be found at: 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. 

 

4

 BMSY is the weight (biomass) of a group of fish necessary to produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from the stock. 
3 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Introduction 

his report describes the state of our nation’s marine fisheries and the effectiveness of 

fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act, Public Law 94-294 (MSA), as amended in 1996 by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) 

and again by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization 

Act of 2006 (MSRA). The SFA emphasized the need to end overfishing, rebuild overfished 

stocks, and establish management plans designed to ensure biologically and economically 

sustainable fisheries. A stock that is subject to overfishing has a fishing mortality (harvest) 

rate above the level that provides for the maximum sustainable yield. A stock that is 

overfished has a biomass level below its prescribed biological threshold. The MSRA requires 

annual catch limits that end overfishing be established by 2010 for all stocks subject to 

overfishing and by 2011 for all other stocks, except for some stocks with annual life cycles or 

managed under international agreements. 

This report fulfills the Congressional requirement in Sec. 304(e)(1) of the MSA for an annual 

report on the status of fisheries within each Council’s geographic area of authority and to 

identify fisheries that are overfished or approaching a condition of being overfished. 

This report lists the managed marine fish stocks in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone5

, 

including stocks that straddle international boundaries and highly migratory stocks. In 

response to the Congressional requirement, the report categorizes stocks according to their 

status. The report answers four questions which help determine the effectiveness of 

management measures in meeting the provisions of the MSA: 

1. What stocks are subject to overfishing? 

2. What stocks are overfished? 

3. What stocks are approaching an overfished condition? 

4. How do this year’s determinations compare to previous years? 

Information on fishing mortality and biomass trends for rebuilding stocks, which can show if 

the management measures to end overfishing are working and if the biomass of the stock is 

rebuilding as planned, can be found at the NMFS website: 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. Additional information on many 

rebuilding stocks, as well as other important fish stocks, can be found at the NMFS FishWatch

website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/#. 

Using the Best Available Data 

To categorize marine fish stocks for this report, NMFS reviewed each stock relative to the 

status determination criteria (SDC) contained in the relevant fishery management plan 

(FMP)6

. Sometimes the SDC do not apply to an individual stock, but to a group of similar 

species harvested together or sharing a similar life history. These groups are referred to as 

stock complexes, units, or assemblages. Such groupings may be particularly useful when data 

are sparse or lacking because they provide a level of protection for all related stocks and allow 

data collection on them. In some cases, the status of a stock complex is determined using the 

SDC for one stock in the complex. In other cases, the SDC apply to the complex as a whole. 

Stock complexes are used in the Southeast, the Pacific Islands, and the Alaska Regions, as 

well as by the NMFS Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) division. The reporting level 

(stock or stock complex) is based on the level used in the assessment. 

 

 

5

 The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone generally extends from 3 to 200 miles offshore and covers more than 2 million square miles. 6

 Some stocks in the Southeast Region have status determinations based on criteria that are not contained in the FMP because it is the best scientific information available for such 

data poor stocks. Alaska SDC are generally specified in the annual Stock Assessment & Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report, rather than in the FMP itself. 

T
4 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Based on a review of the best scientific information available for each stock or stock complex, 

relative to its SDC, NMFS determined whether an overfishing and overfished condition exists, 

including whether or not the stock is approaching an overfished condition. NMFS used many 

resources to make these determinations, including final, peer-reviewed documents such as 

Stock Assessment Review Committee reports and recommendations of each Council’s 

Scientific and Statistical Committee. For species not included in a federal FMP (i.e., species 

managed by international agreement), the stock status determination was made in 

accordance with the relevant FMP or agreement. More information on the stock complexes 

and methodology used to include them in this report can be found in Appendix 1, located on 

the NMFS website, http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. 

NMFS continues to make progress in improving the scientific knowledge of marine fisheries 

and in the ability to use that knowledge to manage for the sustained use of these resources. 

NMFS is also working to increase the number of stocks that are assessed. NMFS assessed or 

otherwise conducted new status determinations on 213 stock and stock complexes in 2009. In 

2009, 2 additional stocks now have known overfishing determinations (that is, their 

overfishing determination was previously unknown) and 4 additional stocks now have 

overfished determinations (that is, their overfished determination was previously unknown). 

Of those, 2 are not subject to overfishing and 3 are not overfished. 

This year’s report is based on assessments completed as of December 31, 2009. Results from 

fishery stock assessments in progress on that date will be summarized in next year’s report. 

The status of all 522 stocks and stock complexes is summarized in Table 1. 
5 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Overview of Overfishing Status

• 250 stocks or stock complexes have a known overfishing status. Of 

these: 

o 212 (85%) stocks or stock complexes are not subject to 

overfishing. 

o 38 (15%) stocks or stock complexes have a fishing mortality rate 

that exceeds the overfishing threshold (i.e., is subject to 

overfishing). 

• 272 stocks or stock complexes have overfishing thresholds not defined or 

applicable, or are unknown with respect to their overfishing status. 

Changes in Overfishing Status

 In the Northeast Region – 

o Scup – Atlantic Coast is no longer subject to overfishing. 

o Thorny skate – Gulf of Maine is no longer subject to overfishing. 

 In the Southeast Region – 

o Pink shrimp – Gulf of Mexico was found to be not subject to overfishing 

because the previous assessment had been invalidated. 

 In the Alaska Region – 

o Golden king crab – Aleutian Islands is not subject to overfishing (was 

previously unknown) 

o Red king crab - Western Aleutian Islands is not subject to overfishing (was 

previously unknown) 

 There are no changes to the other Regions. 

Overview of Overfished Status

• 203 stocks or stock complexes have a known overfished status. Of 

these: 

o 157 (77%) stocks or stock complexes are not overfished - 6 of 

these stocks are approaching an overfished condition. 

o 46 (23%) stocks or stock complexes are overfished. 

• 319 stocks or stock complexes have overfished thresholds not defined 

or applicable, or are unknown with respect to their overfished status. 

Changes in Overfished Status 

 In the Northeast Region – 

o Winter skate – Georges Bank/Southern New England is no longer overfished 

and is rebuilding. 

o Scup – Atlantic Coast is no longer overfished and is rebuilt. 

o Black sea bass – Mid-Atlantic Coast is now rebuilt. 

 In the Southeast Region – 

o Gag – Gulf of Mexico is overfished (was previously unknown). 

 In the Northwest Region – 

o Canary rockfish – Pacific coast is now overfished. 

o Petrale sole – Pacific coast is now overfished. 

o Coho salmon - Washington Coast: Queets is now overfished. 

o Coho salmon - Washington Coast: Western Strait of Juan de Fuca is now 

overfished. 

o Bocaccio – Southern Pacific Coast is no longer overfished. 

o Darkblotched rockfish is no longer overfished. 
6 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

o Greenstriped rockfish - Pacific Coast is not overfished (was previously 

unknown). 

o Splitnose rockfish – Pacific coast is not overfished (was previously unknown). 

 In the Alaska Region – 

o Blue king crab – St. Matthews Island is rebuilt 

o Rex sole – Gulf of Alaska is not overfished (was previously unknown) 

 In the Highly Migratory Species Division – 

o Sailfish – Western Atlantic is no longer overfished. 

o Swordfish – North Atlantic is rebuilt 

There are no changes to any of the other Regions. 

Approaching an Overfished Condition 

The basis for determining whether a stock is approaching an overfished condition is a 

comparison of the current stock biomass and trends in fishing effort to determine if the stock 

is likely to become overfished within 2 years. The definition for the biomass threshold in the 

FMP, along with trends in fishing effort, is the basis for determining whether a stock is 

approaching an overfished condition. For Pacific salmon stocks, the criteria are based on 

maximum sustainable yield/maximum spawner potential objectives for natural stocks or stock 

complexes. 

o 6 stocks approaching an overfished condition. 

Changes in Approaching an Overfished Condition

• In the Alaska Region – 

o Southern Tanner crab – Bering Sea is approaching an overfished condition. 

• There are no changes in the other regions. 

Biomass Levels 

The Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) is a performance measure for the sustainability of 

230 U.S. fish stocks selected for their importance to commercial and recreational fisheries. 

The FSSI establishes, as an indicator of sustainability, an 80% threshold of the current stock 

biomass compared to the biomass that supports the maximum sustainable yield (B/BMSY). 

Stocks with biomass above that level are considered to be within the range of natural 

fluctuation around the BMSY level, which is defined as a long-term average. The following 

stocks are all not overfished and have biomass levels determined, in 2009, to have changed 

relative to this threshold. 

Changes in Biomass Levels

• In the Northwest Region – 

o Pacific hake – Pacific coast – B/BMSY is now below 80%. 

o Splitnose rockfish – Pacific coast – B/BMSY is now above 80%. 

o Greenstriped rockfish – Pacific coast (nonFSSI stock) – B/BMSY is now above 

80%. 

• In the Alaska Region – 

o Walleye pollock - Western / Central Gulf of Alaska – B/BMSY is above 80%. 

o Rex sole – Gulf of Alaska - B/BMSY is above 80% (was previously not 

estimated). 

• There are no changes in the other regions. 
7 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Table 1. Description of FSSI and nonFSSI Stocks by Council, 2009. 

Jurisdiction* 

Stock Group 

Number of 

Stocks 

Overfishing Overfished 

Approaching 

Overfished 

Condition 

Yes No Not Known Not

Defined 

N/A Yes No Not Known Not

Defined 

N/A

NEFMC FSSI 34 8 22 2 2 0 15 18 1 0 0 0 

NonFSSI 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 35 8 23 2 2 0 16 18 1 0 0 0 

MAFMC FSSI 11 0 11 0 0 0 1 9 1 0 0 0 

NonFSSI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 11 0 11 0 0 0 1 9 1 0 0 0 

NEFMC/ 

MAFMC FSSI 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 

NonFSSI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 

SAFMC FSSI 21 

65

10 10 1 0 0 5 6 9 0 0 1 

NonFSSI 63 0 10 51 2 0 0 1 55 7 0 0 

Total 84 10 20 52 2 0 5 7 64 7 0 1 

GMFMC FSSI 17 4 9 4 0 0 4 6 0 7 0 0 

NonFSSI 36 0 6 29 1 0 0 1 1 34 0 0 

 Total 53 4 15 33 1 0 4 7 1 41 0 0 

SAFMC/ 

GMFMC FSSI 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 7 2 1 0 0

NonFSSI 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0

 Total 13 0 11 1 1 0 0 8 3 2 0 0

CFMC FSSI 8 4 1 3 0 0 4 0 3 0 0 1

NonFSSI 14 1 0 13 0 0 0 1 13 0 0 1

 Total 22 5 1 16 0 0 4 1 16 0 0 2

PFMC FSSI 48 1 33 13 1 0 4 31 10 3 0 0 

NonFSSI 120 0 17 50 0 53 2 15 50 0 53 0 

 Total 168 1 50 63 1 53 6 46 60 3 53 0 

WPFMC FSSI 16 0 7 9 0 0 1 7 8 0 0 0 

NonFSSI 20 0 3 15 2 0 0 1 17 2 0 0 

 Total 36 0 10 24 2 0 1 8 25 2 0 0 

PFMC/ 

WPFMC FSSI 6 1 2 3 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 

NonFSSI 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 

 Total 10 1 2 7 0 0 0 3 7 0 0 0 

NPFMC FSSI 35 0 35 0 0 0 1 29 0 4 0 1 

NonFSSI 27 0 20 1 6 0 0 2 3 22 0 0 

 Total 62 0 55 1 6 0 1 31 3 26 0 1 

PFMC/ 

NPFMC FSSI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NonFSSI 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 

 Total 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 

HMS FSSI 21 9 10 2 0 0 8 9 2 0 0 2 

NonFSSI 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 

 Total 24 9 11 4 0 0 8 10 4 0 0 2 

TOTAL FSSI 230 37 153 37 3 0 43 128 39 15 0 5 

NonFSSI 292 1 59 166 13 53 3 24 146 66 53 1 

 Total 522 38 212 203 16 53 46 152 185 81 53 6 

* FSSI = Fish Stock Sustainability Index; NEFMC = New England Fishery Management Council; MAFMC = Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; SAFMC = 

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; GMFMC = Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; CFMC = Caribbean Fishery Management Council; PFMC = 

Pacific Fishery Management Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Council; HMS = 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. 
8 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Biomass and Mortality Trends in Stocks under Rebuilding Plans

Section 304(e)(7) of the MSA requires that the Secretary review any fishery management 

plan, plan amendment, or regulations required by this subsection at routine intervals that 

may not exceed two years for adequate progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding 

affected fish stocks. For the past several years, within this report, NMFS has presented an 

analysis of trends in fishing mortality (F) and biomass (B) for stocks under rebuilding plans. 

This analysis uses the most current scientific stock assessments for 37 rebuilding stocks and 

presented a series of figures to illustrate the trends. The analysis and its findings have been 

updated using the most recent assessments completed since that time, where available. The 

results are updated and presented on the NMFS website at:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm.

Implementing Annual Catch Limits 

In early 2009, NMFS published guidelines7

 to aid the regional Councils in implementing annual 

catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) required by the MSA to end and 

prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and achieve optimum yield. ACLs and AMs are 

required for stocks that are subject to overfishing by 2010, and for all other stocks by 2011. 

Congress provided two exceptions to the ACL requirements: 

 unless otherwise provided for under an international agreement in which the United 

States participates, and 

 shall not apply to a fishery for species that have a life cycle of approximately 1 year 

unless the Secretary has determined the fishery is subject to overfishing of that 

species 

Table 2 includes a summary of the stocks that are currently subject to overfishing and had 

ACLs in place by December 31, 2009. Some stocks are managed based on “fishing years” 

which may start after January 1, 2010. Implementation of ACLs for these stocks will be 

reported in the 2010 Status of US Fisheries Report. 

Table 2. Annual Catch Limits in place, as of December 31, 2009. 

Region* Fishery Management Plan Fishery 

SERO Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 

Mexico 

gag 

red grouper 

gray triggerfish 

greater amberjack 

HMS Consolidated Atlantic Highly 

Migratory Species 

sandbar shark 

dusky shark 

Non-sandbar large coastal sharks#

#silky, tiger, blacktip, spinner, bull, lemon, nurse, scalloped 

hammerhead, great hammerhead, and smooth 

hammerhead sharksa

* SERO – Southeast Regional Office; HMS – Highly Migratory Species Division a the status of these species is unknown. 

 

7

 The guidelines can be viewed here: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/catchlimits.htm. 
9 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Status Determinations by Region 

Northeast Region8

Thirteen FMPs containing 49 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the New England 

and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils: Atlantic Sea Scallop; Northeast Multispecies; 

Northeast Skate; Atlantic Herring; Red Crab; Monkfish; Spiny Dogfish; Summer flounder, 

Scup and Black Sea Bass; Atlantic Bluefish; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog; Atlantic 

Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish; Tilefish; and Atlantic Salmon. Within these FMPs, 8 stocks 

are subject to overfishing, 17 stocks are overfished, and no stocks are approaching an 

overfished condition. See Table 3. 

Table 3. Northeast Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

Council FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

NEFMC 

Atlantic salmon - Atlantic salmon* - 

Northeast 

Multispecies 

cod - Gulf of Maine

cod - Georges Bank 

- 

- 

- 

yellowtail flounder –Georges 

Bank

yellowtail flounder - Southern 

New England (SNE)/Mid-Atlantic 

(MA)

yellowtail flounder - Cape 

Cod/Gulf of Maine

white hake - Georges Bank/Gulf 

of Maine 

-

winter flounder – SNE/MA

winter flounder – Georges Bank 

- 

-

cod - Gulf of Maine

cod - Georges Bank

haddock - Gulf of Maine

haddock - Georges Bank

American plaice

yellowtail flounder –Georges 

Bank

yellowtail flounder - Southern 

New England SNE/MA

yellowtail flounder - Cape 

Cod/Gulf of Maine

white hake - Georges 

Bank/Gulf of Maine

windowpane flounder – 

SNE/MA

winter flounder – SNE/MA

- 

ocean pout

Atlantic halibut

- 

Northeast Skate thorny skate - Gulf of Maine 

smooth skate - Gulf of Maine - 

MAFMC Atlantic Mackerel, 

Squid, and Butterfish 

butterfish – Gulf of Maine/Cape 

Hatteras - 

* No fishing is allowed in this fishery, or incidental harvest is limited to levels necessary to meet Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements. A Final 

Recovery Plan for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon has been developed under the ESA.

 

8

 Assessment results for 19 stocks in the Northeast Multispecies FMP will not be used to make determinations until the FMP is amended to reflect the SDC recommended in the 

assessment. 
10 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Southeast Region

Seventeen FMPs9

 containing 175 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the South 

Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils: South Atlantic Golden 

Crab; South Atlantic Shrimp; South Atlantic Snapper Grouper; Coral, Coral Reefs, and 

Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region; Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the 

South Atlantic Region; Dolphin Wahoo; Coastal Migratory Pelagics of the Gulf of Mexico and 

South Atlantic; Gulf of Mexico/South Atlantic Spiny Lobster; Gulf of Mexico Stone Crab; Gulf 

of Mexico Shrimp; Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Gulf of Mexico Red Drum; Coral 

and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 

Islands; Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Queen Conch 

Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Corals and Reef Associated 

Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Within these FMPs, 19 stocks are 

subject to overfishing, 13 stocks are overfished, and 3 stocks are approaching an overfished 

condition. See Table 4.

Table 4. Southeast Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

Council FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

SAFMC 

South Atlantic Snapper Grouper 

vermilion snapper

red snapper

snowy grouper

red grouper

black sea bass

gag

speckled hind

warsaw grouper

tilefish

black grouper 

- 

- 

red snapper

snowy grouper

-

black sea bass

- 

-

-

- 

-

red porgy 

gag

South Atlantic Shrimp - pink shrimp 

GMFMC Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico 

red snapper 

greater amberjack 

gag 

gray triggerfish 

red snapper 

greater amberjack 

gag 

gray triggerfish 

CFMC 

Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the 

USVI 

Grouper Unit 1 

- 

Grouper Unit 4 

Snapper Unit 1 

Parrotfish complex 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 2 

Grouper Unit 4 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

Snapper Unit 1 

Parrotfish complex

Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the USVI queen conch queen conch - 

 

9

 The Atlantic Coast Red Drum FMP has had management authority transferred to the ASMFC. It is no longer under federal management and its overfishing status is now reported 

under stocks contained in non-Federal FMPs. The stock remains subject to overfishing. 
11 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Southwest Region 

Two FMPs containing 19 stocks or complexes10 are managed by NMFS and the Pacific Fishery 

Management Council: Coastal Pelagic Species and West Coast Highly Migratory Species. 

Within these FMPs, 2 stocks are subject to overfishing, no stocks are overfished, and no 

stocks are approaching an overfished condition. See Table 5. 

Table 5. Southwest Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

West Coast Highly Migratory 

Species 

yellowfin tuna - Eastern Tropical Pacific

bigeye tuna - Pacific*

- 

- 

- 

- 

* This stock also appears in Table 7 as a stock subject to overfishing in the Pacific Islands Region’ s Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region 

FMP. Each of the 10 stocks shared between these two FMPs is listed only once in the support tables as a single stock managed under both FMPs. The 

Southwest and the Pacific Islands Regions, along with the Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, are working together to end 

overfishing in this stock.

 

10 Total includes 10 pelagic species shared with the Pacific Islands Region. 
12 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Northwest Region 

Two FMPs containing 158 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the Pacific Fishery 

Management Council: West Coast Salmon and Pacific Coast Groundfish. In addition, Pacific 

halibut is managed jointly with the Alaska Region and the International Pacific Halibut 

Commission. Within these FMPs, no stock is subject to overfishing, 6 stocks are overfished, 

and no stock is approaching an overfished condition. See Table 6. 

Table 6. Northwest Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

Pacific Coast Groundfish 

- 

- 

- 

- 

cowcod

yelloweye rockfish 

Petrale sole 

Canary rockfish 

- 

Pacific Coast Salmon 

- 

- 

Coho salmon - Washington 

Coast: Queets 

Coho salmon - Washington 

Coast: Western Strait of Juan 

de Fuca 

- 
13 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Pacific Islands Region

Five FMPs11 containing 45 stocks or complexes12 are managed by NMFS and the Western 

Pacific Fishery Management Council: Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region; 

Crustaceans Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region; Precious Coral Fisheries of the Western 

Pacific Region; Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region; 

and Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Western Pacific Region. Within these FMPs, 1 stock or stock 

complex is subject to overfishing, 1 stock or stock complex is overfished, and no stock or 

stock complexes are approaching an overfished condition. See Table 7. 

Table 7. Pacific Islands Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching 

an overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

Pelagic Fisheries of the Western 

Pacific Region bigeye tuna – Pacific * - 

Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish 

Fisheries of the Western Pacific 

Region 

- Seamount Groundfish complex – Hancock 

Seamount**

* This stock also appears in Table 5 as a stock subject to overfishing in the Southwest Region’s West Coast Highly Migratory Species FMP. Each of the 

10 stocks shared between these two FMPs is listed only once in the support tables as a single stock managed under both FMPs. The Southwest and 

the Pacific Islands Regions, along with the Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, are working together to end overfishing in this 

stock. 

** This stock complex uses pelagic armorhead as the indicator species of a three-species seamount groundfish complex that includes raftfish and 

alfonsin. 

 

11 On January 14, 2010 (75 FR 2198), NMFS issued a final rule restructuring western Pacific fishery regulations to be consistent with five new area-specific fishery ecosystem plans 

(FEP). These FEPs are effective February 16, 2010, and replace the 5 existing FMPs. This change will be reflected in the 2010 Status of US Fisheries report. 12 Total includes 10 pelagic species shared with the Southwest region. 
14 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Alaska Region 

Six FMPs containing 62 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the North Pacific 

Fishery Management Council: Gulf of Alaska Groundfish; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 

(BSAI) Groundfish; BSAI King and Tanner Crab; Alaska Weathervane Scallops; Fish Resources 

of the Arctic Management Area; and Alaska High Seas Salmon. In addition, Pacific halibut is 

managed jointly with the Northwest Region and the International Pacific Halibut Commission. 

Within these FMPs, no stocks or stock complexes are subject to overfishing, 1 stock or stock 

complex is overfished, and no stocks or stock complexes are approaching an overfished 

condition. See Table 8. 

Table 8. Alaska Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

BSAI King and Tanner 

Crab - blue king crab - Pribilof Islands Southern Tanner crab – Bering Sea 
15 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

One FMP containing 23 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS: Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory Species. Within this FMP, 9 stocks or stock complexes are subject to 

overfishing, 8 stocks or stock complexes are overfished, and 2 stocks are approaching an 

overfished condition. See Table 9. 

Table 9. Atlantic Highly Migratory stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are 

approaching an overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

Consolidated Atlantic Highly 

Migratory Species 

blue marlin - Atlantic

white marlin - Atlantic

sailfish - West Atlantic

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic

- 

dusky shark 

blacknose shark – Atlantic 

shortfin mako - Atlantic 

sandbar shark*

blue marlin - Atlantic

white marlin - Atlantic

-

albacore - North Atlantic 

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic 

Porbeagle shark 

dusky shark 

blacknose shark – Atlantic 

- 

sandbar shark*

yellowfin tuna – Atlantic 

shortfin mako – Atlantic 

* This stock is part of the Large Coastal Shark complex, but is assessed separately. 
16 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Table 10. Comparing stocks or stock complexes with “subject to overfishing” determinations in 2008 and 

2009. Stocks in GREEN under “2008” were removed from the list in 2009. No stocks were added to the list 

in 2009. 

COUNCIL 2008 2009 COUNCIL 2008 2009 

NEFMC 

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

yellowtail flounder – Georges 

 Bank 

yellowtail flounder - SNE/ Mid- 

 Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder - Cape Cod/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

White hake – Georges Bank/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

winter flounder - SNE/ Mid- 

 Atlantic 

winter flounder – Georges Bank 

THORNY SKATE - GULF OF MAINE

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

yellowtail flounder – Georges 

 Bank 

yellowtail flounder - SNE/ Mid- 

 Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder - Cape Cod/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

White hake - Georges Bank/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

winter flounder - SNE/ Mid- 

 Atlantic 

winter flounder – Georges Bank 

-

CFMC 

Queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 4 

Parrotfish complex 

Snapper Unit 1 

Queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 4 

Parrotfish complex 

Snapper Unit 1 

MAFMC SCUP - ATLANTIC COAST PFMC yellowfin tuna – Eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna – Eastern Pacific

NEFMC/MAFMC None None WPFMC None None 

SAFMC 

vermilion snapper 

red snapper 

snowy grouper 

tilefish 

red grouper 

black sea bass 

gag 

speckled hind 

warsaw grouper 

black grouper 

vermilion snapper 

red snapper 

snowy grouper 

tilefish 

red grouper 

black sea bass 

gag 

speckled hind 

warsaw grouper 

black grouper 

PFMC/ 

WPFMC bigeye tuna – Pacific bigeye tuna – Pacific 

GMFMC 

red snapper 

greater amberjack 

gray triggerfish 

gag 

PINK SHRIMP

red snapper 

greater amberjack 

gray triggerfish 

gag 

-

NPFMC None None 

SAFMC/GMFMC None None HMS 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic 

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic 

sandbar shark – Atlantic 

dusky shark - Atlantic 

blacknose shark – atlantic 

shortfin mako - atlantic 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic 

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic 

sandbar shark – Atlantic 

dusky shark - Atlantic 

blacknose shark – atlantic 

shortfin mako - atlantic 

NEFMC = New England Fishery Management Council; MAFMC = Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; SAFMC = South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; GMFMC = Gulf of 

Mexico Fishery Management Council; CFMC = Caribbean Fishery Management Council; PFMC = Pacific Fishery Management Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fishery 

Management Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Council; HMS = Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.
17 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Table 11. Stocks or stock complexes with “overfished” determinations in 2007 and 2008. Stocks in GREEN

under “2008” were removed from the list in 2009. Stocks in RED under “2009” were added to the list in 

2009.

Council 2008 2009 Council 2008 2009 

NEFMC 

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

haddock - Gulf of Maine 

haddock - Georges Bank 

American plaice 

yellowtail flounder – Georges 

 Bank 

yellowtail flounder – SNE/Mid- 

 Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

white hake - Georges Bank/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

windowpane Flounder – SNE/ 

 Mid-Atlantic 

winter Flounder – SNE/Mid- 

 Atlantic 

ocean pout 

Atlantic halibut 

thorny skate - Gulf of Maine 

WINTER SKATE

smooth skate - Gulf of Maine 

Atlantic salmon 

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

haddock - Gulf of Maine 

haddock - Georges Bank 

American plaice 

yellowtail flounder – Georges 

 Bank 

yellowtail flounder – SNE/Mid- 

 Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/ 

Gulf of Maine 

white hake - Georges Bank/ 

 Gulf of Maine 

windowpane Flounder – SNE/ 

 Mid-Atlantic 

winter Flounder – SNE/ Mid- 

 Atlantic 

ocean pout 

Atlantic halibut 

thorny skate - Gulf of Maine 

- 

smooth skate - Gulf of Maine 

Atlantic salmon 

CFMC 

queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 2 

Grouper Unit 4 

queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 2 

Grouper Unit 4 

MAFMC butterfish 

SCUP - ATLANTIC COAST

butterfish 

- PFMC 

BOCACCIO

DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH

cowcod 

yelloweye rockfish 

- 

- 

cowcod 

yelloweye rockfish 

CANARY ROCKFISH

PETRALE SOLE

COHO SALMON – WASHINGTON 

 COAST: QUEETS

COHO SALMON – WASHINGTON 

 COAST: WESTERN STRAIGHT OF 

 JUAN DE FUCA

NEFMC/ MAFMC None None WPFMC Seamount Groundfish complex 

- Hancock Seamounts 

Seamount Groundfish complex - 

Hancock Seamounts 

SAFMC 

snowy grouper 

black sea bass 

red porgy 

red snapper 

pink shrimp* 

snowy grouper 

black sea bass 

red porgy 

red snapper 

pink shrimp* 

PFMC/ WPFMC None None 

GMFMC 

red snapper 

greater amberjack 

gray triggerfish 

- 

red snapper 

greater amberjack 

gray triggerfish 

GAG

NPFMC blue king crab - Pribilof Islands blue king crab - Pribilof Islands 

SAFMC/ 

GMFMC None None HMS 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

SAILFISH - WEST ATLANTIC

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna – West Atlantic 

sandbar shark 

Porbeagle shark 

Dusky shark 

Blacknose shark - Atlantic 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

- 

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna – West Atlantic 

sandbar shark 

Porbeagle shark 

Dusky shark 

Blacknose shark - Atlantic 

NEFMC = New England Fishery Management Council; MAFMC = Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; SAFMC = South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; GMFMC = Gulf of 

Mexico Fishery Management Council; CFMC = Caribbean Fishery Management Council; PFMC = Pacific Fishery Management Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fishery 

Management Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Council; HMS = Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

* Pink shrimp are an annual crop. An advisory panel concluded the apparent decline in pink shrimp abundance appears to be due to environmental factors, rather than overfishing. 
18 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 
19 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

New England:1.Cod – Gulf of M ai ne12.Cod – Georges Bank13. Yellowtail flounder – Georges Bank14. Yellowtail flounder – Southern New Engl and/M iddl e Atlantic 15. Yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/Gulf of M ai ne16. White Hake17. Winter Flounder – Georges Bank 18. Winter Flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic 1

Stocks “Subject to Overfishing” (38) – 2009

South Atlantic:1.Vermilion Snapper 2. Red Snapper3. Snowy Grouper 4. Tilefish5. Red Grouper 6. Black Sea Bass7. Gag 8. Black Grouper9. Speckled Hi nd 10. Warsaw Grouper

Gulf of Mexico:1.Red Snapper2.Greater Amberjack3.Gag4.Gray T riggerfish Caribbean:

1. Snapper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 13. Grouper Unit 44. Queen Conch5. Parrotfishes 2

Pacific:1.Yellowfin Tuna –Eastern Pacific3

Highly Migratory Species:1. Blue Marlin – Atlantic32. Whi te Marlin – Atl antic33. Sailfish – West Atlantic34. Albacore – North Atlantic 35. Bluefin Tuna – West Atlantic 36. Sandbar Shark7. Dusky Shark8. Blacknose Shark9. Shortfin Mako - Atl antic

1. This map does not include the results of GARM III. Northeast multi species stock status is based on GARM II (assessed in 2005).2. Indi cates non-FSSI stock3. Stock is fished by U.S. and International fleets.Blue = Also Overfished

Pacificand Western Pacific1.Bigeye Tuna – Pacific 3

U.S. Departm ent of C om merc e

N ational Oc eanic and Atm ospheric Adm inis tration

N ational M arine Fis heries Serv ice

Offic e of S us tainable Fis heries
20 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

New England:1. Cod – Gulf of Maine12. Cod – Georges Bank13. Haddock – Gul f of Maine14. Haddock – Georges Bank 15. Am erican Plaice16. Yellowtail flounder – Georges Bank17. Yellowtail flounder – Southern New Engl and/M iddl e Atlantic18. Yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/Gulf of M ai ne19. White Hake110. Windowpane Flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic 111. Winter Flounder – Southern New England/Mi ddle Atlantic112. Ocean Pout 113. Atlantic Hal ibut 1 14. Thorny Skate

15. Smooth Skate 16. Atlantic Salm on2

Overfished Stocks (46) – 2009

Mid-Atlantic:1.Butterfish (Atl antic)

South Atlantic:1. Pink shrimp2. Snowy grouper3. Black Sea Bass4. Red Porgy5. Red Snapper Gulf of Mexico:

1.Red Snapper2.Greater Am berjack3.Gray Triggerfi sh4.Gag

Caribbean:1. Grouper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 23. Grouper Unit 44. Queen Conch

Pacific:1. Cowcod2. Yel loweye Rockfish3. Canary rockfish - Pacifi c Coast4. Petrale sole – Pacific Coast5. Coho salm on - Washington Coast: 

Queets 2

6. Coho salmon - Washington Coast: 

Western Strait of Juan de Fuca2

Western Pacific1.Seamount Groundfish Com plex – Hancock Seamount

North Pacific:1.Blue King Crab – Pribilof Islands

Highly Migratory Species:1.Blue Marlin – Atlantic32.White Marlin – Atlanti c33.Albacore – North Atlantic 34.Bluefin T una – West Atl antic35.Sandbar Shark6.Porbeagle Shark7.Dusky Shark8.Blacknose Shark

1. This m ap does not include the resul ts of GARM III. Northeast 

m ul tispecies stock status is based on GARM II (assessed in 2005).

2. Indicates non-FSSI stock3. Stock is fi shed by U.S. and International fleets.

U.S. Departm ent of C om merc e

N ational Oc eanic and Atm ospheric Adm inis tration

N ational M arine Fis heries Serv ice

Offic e of S us tainable Fis heries

An online version of this report is available at 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm

This publication may be cited as: 

NMFS, 2010, Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries-2009, U.S. Department 

of Commerce, NOAA, Natl., Mar. Fish. Serv., Silver Spring, MD, 20 pp. 

Cover photo of blue king crab by Celeste Leroux, Alaska Sea Grant. Used with permission. 
U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Gary Locke

Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

and Undersecretary of Commerce

Dr. Jane Lubchenco

Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

National Marine Fisheries Service

Eric Schwaab

www.nmfs.noaa.gov

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway

SSMC 3, F/SF, Room 9535

Silver Spring, MD 20910

U.S. Government - 2010