## 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 Conserva tion 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 Administra tor 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 Fisherie s 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 en suring 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 improvin g, 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 stoc ks 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 generati ons. We appreciate the support of Congress, stakeholders, and constitu encies 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 Servi ce 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 fo rmal review of a scien tific 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 br oad categories: (1) subject to overfishing and (2) overfished. A stock that is subject to overfishing has a fishing mortality (harvest) rate above the level th at provides for the maximum su stainable yield. A stock that is overfished has a biomass level below a bi ological threshold specified in its fishery management plan.

For 2009, NMFS reviewed 522 1 

## 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 ov erfished determinations: 157 (77%) are not overfished 2 

## and 46 (23%) are overfished. These perc entages are unchanged from last year’s report.

Five stocks are no longer overfished: s cup – Atlantic coast 3



## , 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 Dis trict, Grooved Tanner crab - Bering Sea, Grooved Tanner crab - Eastern Aleutian Islands, Grooved Tanner crab - Western Aleutian Islands, Red king crab - Eastern Aleutian Island s, Scarlet king crab - Aleutian Islands, Scarlet king crab - Bering Sea, Southern Tanner crab - Eastern Aleutian Islands, Southern Tanner crab - Western Aleutian Islands, Triangle T anner 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 Resource s 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 Servi ce 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 2009Score



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

## Four stocks have fully rebuilt to 100% of their B MSY 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 sustainabili ty of our nation’s fisheries through the Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI). The FSSI me asures 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/st atusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm



## .

4 B MSY is the weight (biomass) of a group of fish necessary to produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from the stock.

## 3 National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 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 Co nservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA). The SFA emphasized the ne ed 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 yiel d. A stock that is overfished has a biomass level below its prescribed biological threshold. The MSRA requires annual catch limits that end over fishing 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 Zone 5



## , 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 ar e 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 tren ds 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/st atusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm 

## . Additional information on many rebuilding stocks, as well as other import ant 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 stoc ks for this report, NMFS review ed each stock relative to the status determination criteria (SDC) containe d 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 li fe 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 leve l 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 case s, 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 Servi ce 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 approachin g 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 agreemen t. More information on the stock complexes and methodology used to include them in this re port can be found in Appendix 1, located on the NMFS website, http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/st atusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm



## .
NMFS continues to make progress in improving the scientific knowledge of marine fisheries and in the ability to use that knowledge to ma nage 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 unk nown) and 4 additional stocks now have overfished determinations (that is, their overfished determination was previously unknown). Of those, 2 are not subject to ov erfishing 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 da te 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 Servi ce 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 complexe s 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 resp ect 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 fo und 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 comple xes 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 re spect to their overfished status.



## Changes in Overfished Status

 In the Northeast Region –

o Winter skate – Georges Bank/Southern Ne w 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 Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries o Greenstriped rockfish - Pacific Coast is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Splitnose rockfish – Pacific coast is no t 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 Over fished Condition

The basis for determining whether a stock is approaching an overfi shed 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 Paci fic salmon stocks, the criteria are based on maximum sustainable yield/maximu m 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 import ance 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/B MSY 

## ). Stocks with biomass above that level are cons idered to be within the range of natural fluctuation around the B MSY 

## 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/B MSY 

## is now below 80%.

o Splitnose rockfish – Pacific coast – B/B MSY 

## is now above 80%.

o Greenstriped rockfish – Pacific coast (nonFSSI stock) – B/B MSY 

## is now above 80%. • In the Alaska Region –

o Walleye pollock - Western / Central Gulf of Alaska – B/B MSY 

## is above 80%.

o Rex sole – Gulf of Alaska - B/B MSY 

## is above 80% (was previously not estimated). • There are no changes in the other regions.

## 7 National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries Table 1. Description of FSSI an d nonFSSI Stocks by Council, 2009.Jurisdiction*Stock GroupNumber ofStocks Overfishing OverfishedApproachingOverfishedCondition

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 Manageme nt Council; SAFMC = South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; GMFMC = Gulf of Mexi co Fishery Management Council; CFMC = Caribbean Fishery Manageme nt Council; PFMC = Pacific Fishery Management Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fish ery Management Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Managemen t Council; HMS = Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.

## 8 National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 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 year s, 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 comp leted since that time, where available. The results are updated and presented on the NMFS website at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/sta tusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm

.



# Implementing Annual Catch Limits

In early 2009, NMFS published guidelines 7 

## 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 ov erfished stocks, and achieve op timum yield. ACLs and AMs are required for stocks that are subject to overfish ing 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. Implem entation 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 sharks a * 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 Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

# Status Determinations by Region

Northeast Region 8



## Thirteen FMPs containing 49 stocks or comp lexes 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; At lantic 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 ov erfished, and no stocks are approaching an overfished condition. See Table 3.

Table 3. Northeast Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfish ed, 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 (E SA) 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 am ended to reflect the SDC recommended in the assessment.

## 10 National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries Southeast Region

Seventeen FMPs 9 

## containing 175 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fisher y 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 Gu lf 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 overfish ed, 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 tran sferred to the ASMFC. It is no longer under federal managemen t and its overfishing status is now reported under stocks contained in non-Federal FMPs. The stock remains subject to overfishing.

## 11 National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries Southwest Region

Two FMPs containing 19 stocks or complexes 10 

## 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 ov erfishing, 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 subj ect 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 Pacifi c 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 Servi ce 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 subj ect to overfishing, 6 stocks are overfished, and no stock is approaching an ov erfished 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 Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries Pacific Islands Region

Five FMPs 11 

## containing 45 stocks or complexes 12 

## 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 th e 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 subjec t 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 FM P. 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. Th e Southwest and the Pacific Islands Regions, along with th e Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Manage ment Councils, are working together to en d overfishing in this stock. ** This stock complex uses pelagic armorhead as the indicator spec ies of a three-species seamount groundfish complex that inclu des 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 Servi ce 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 st ock complexes are approac hing 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 Servi ce 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 Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries Table 10. Comparing stocks or stoc k complexes with “subject to over fishing” determin ations in 2008 and 2009. Stocks in GREEN 

### under “2008” were removed from the list in 20 09. 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 T HORNY SKATE

- G ULF OF M AINE 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

- A TLANTIC 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 P INK 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; WPFM C = Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Council; HMS = Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.

## 17 National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries Table 11. Stocks or stock complexes with “overf ished” determinations in 2007 and 2008. Stocks in GREEN 

### under “2008” were re moved 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

- A TLANTIC COAST butterfish

- PFMC BOCACCIO
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH cowcod yelloweye rockfish -

- cowcod yelloweye rockfish

CANARY ROCKFISH
PETRALE SOLE
COHO SALMON

– W ASHINGTON C OAST : Q UEETS C OHO S ALMON

– W ASHINGTON C OAST : W ESTERN STRAIGHT OF J UAN DE F UCA

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

- W EST A TLANTIC 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; WPFM C = 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 Servi ce 2009 Status of U.S. Fisheries19 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. FisheriesNew England:1.Cod – Gulf of M ai ne12.Cod – Georges Bank13. Yellowtail flounder – Georges Bank14. Yellowtail flounder – Southern New Engl and/M iddl e Atlantic15. Yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/Gulf of M ai ne16. White Hake17. Winter Flounder – Georges Bank18. Winter Flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic1Stocks “Subject to Overfishing” (38)– 2009South 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 GrouperGulf of Mexico:1.Red Snapper2.Greater Amberjack3.Gag4.Gray T riggerfishCaribbean:1. Snapper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 13. Grouper Unit 44. Queen Conch5. Parrotfishes2Pacific:1.Yellowfin Tuna –Eastern Pacific3Highly MigratorySpecies:1. Blue Marlin – Atlantic32. Whi te Marlin – Atl antic33. Sailfish – West Atlantic34. Albacore – North Atlantic35. Bluefin Tuna – West Atlantic36. Sandbar Shark7. Dusky Shark8. Blacknose Shark9. Shortfin Mako - Atl antic1. This map does not include the results of GARM III. Northeastmulti 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 OverfishedPacificandWestern Pacific1.Bigeye Tuna – Pacific3U.S. Departm ent ofC om merc eN ational Oc eanic and Atm ospheric Adm inis trationN ational M arine Fis heries Serv iceOffic e of S us tainable Fis heries20 National Marine Fisheries Service 2009 Status of U.S. FisheriesNew England:1. Cod – Gulf of Maine12. Cod – Georges Bank13. Haddock – Gul f of Maine14. Haddock – Georges Bank15. 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 Atlantic111. Winter Flounder – Southern New England/Mi ddle Atlantic112. Ocean Pout113. Atlantic Hal ibut114. Thorny Skate15. Smooth Skate 16. Atlantic Salm on2Overfished Stocks (46)– 2009Mid-Atlantic:1.Butterfish (Atl antic)South Atlantic:1. Pink shrimp2. Snowy grouper3. Black Sea Bass4. Red Porgy5. Red SnapperGulf of Mexico:1.Red Snapper2.Greater Am berjack3.Gray Triggerfi sh4.GagCaribbean:1. Grouper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 23. Grouper Unit 44. Queen ConchPacific:1. Cowcod2. Yel loweye Rockfish3. Canary rockfish - Pacifi c Coast4. Petrale sole – Pacific Coast5. Coho salm on - Washington Coast:Queets26. Coho salmon - Washington Coast:Western Strait of Juan de Fuca2Western Pacific1.Seamount Groundfish Com plex – Hancock SeamountNorth Pacific:1.Blue King Crab – Pribilof IslandsHighly MigratorySpecies:1.Blue Marlin – Atlantic32.White Marlin – Atlanti c33.Albacore – North Atlantic34.Bluefin T una – West Atl antic35.Sandbar Shark6.Porbeagle Shark7.Dusky Shark8.Blacknose Shark1. This m ap does not include the resul ts of GARM III. Northeastm 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 ofC om merc eN ational Oc eanic and Atm ospheric Adm inis trationN ational M arine Fis heries Serv iceOffic 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