2009 Quarter 4 Update through December 31, 2009

Overview

The FSSI is a performance measure for the sustainability of 230 U.S. fish stocks1 selected for their 

importance to commercial and recreational fisheries. The FSSI will increase as overfishing is ended 

and stocks rebuild to the level that provides maximum sustainable yield. 

FSSI Scoring Method

The FSSI is calculated by assigning a score for each fish stock based on the five following criteria: 

Criteria Points Awarded

1. “Overfished” status is known 0.5 

2. “Overfishing” status is known 0.5 

3. Overfishing is not occurring (for stocks with known “overfishing” status) 1.0 

4. Stock biomass is above the “overfished” level defined for the stock 1.0 

5. Stock biomass is at or above 80% of the biomass that produces maximum 

sustainable yield (BMSY)2

(this point is in addition to the point awarded for being above the “overfished” level)

1.0 

The maximum score each stock may receive is 4. The value of the FSSI is the sum of all 230 

individual stock scores. The maximum total FSSI score is 920, achieved if all 230 stocks were to 

each receive a score of 4. 

Current FSSI Score 

2009 Quarter 4 Score = 573 (October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009)

The following table summarizes the current FSSI score and where additional points can be gained to 

raise the score in the future. 

Criteria # 

Stocks 

Current 

Points

Total 

Points 

Possible 

Actions that Can Increase the Score

Potential 

Points to 

Gain

1. “Overfished” status is known 

Overfished: 43 

Not Overfished: 133

176 88 115 

Determine the “overfished” status for the 

remaining 54 stocks 27 

2. “Overfishing” status is known 

Overfishing: 37 

Not subject to overfishing: 153

190 95 115 

Determine the “overfishing” status for 

the remaining 40 stocks 20 

3. Overfishing is not occurring (for 

stocks with known “overfishing” status) 153 153 230 

End overfishing on the 37 stocks subject 

to overfishing. Ensure the 40 stocks (see 

#2 above) are not subject to overfishing. 

77 

4. Stock biomass is above the 

“overfished” level defined for the 

stock (for stocks with a known 

“overfished” status and that are “not 

overfished”)

133 133 230

Increase the biomass above the 

overfished level for the 43 overfished 

stocks. Ensure the biomass for the 54 

stocks (see #1 above) is above the 

overfished level. 

97 

5. Stock biomass is at or above 

80% of BMSY (this point is in addition 

to the point awarded for being above 

the “overfished” level, criteria #4) 

104 104 230 

For the 43 overfished stocks and the 28 

stocks that are not overfished (but 

biomass is not at or above 80% of BMSY), 

increase biomass to at or above 80% of 

BMSY. Ensure the biomass for the 54 

stocks (see #1 above) is at or above 

80% of BMSY. 

126 

TOTAL 573 920 347 

 

1 The majority of species are assessed as a single stock; however, there are a few that are assessed as a stock complex, which contain a group of species with 

similar geographic distribution, co-occurrence in fisheries, and life history. 2 Stocks rebuilding from a previously overfished condition are not awarded the fourth point until they reach BMSY, as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 

After they have been fully rebuilt, they may fluctuate within the 80% parameter and retain the score of 4 like the other non-rebuilding stocks. 
Summary of Stock Status Determination Changes from 

 October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 

NOTE: The results of the Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting III (GARM III, published 

September 2008) are not included in this quarterly update. The new reference points 

must be adopted through an amendment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP before the 

results can be reported. The unofficial results of the GARM are footnoted, along with the 

official current status in the stock status table. As soon as the FMP is amended, the 

results will be incorporated in the quarterly update. 

Overview of overfishing status of FSSI stocks through December 31, 2009 

• 190 stocks or stock complexes are known with respect to their overfishing status. Of 

these: 

o 153 stocks or stock complexes are not subject to overfishing. 

o 37 stocks or stock complexes have a fishing mortality rate that exceeds the 

overfishing threshold (i.e., is subject to overfishing). 

• 40 stocks or stock complexes have overfishing thresholds not defined or applicable, 

or are unknown with respect to their overfishing status. 

Overview of overfished status of FSSI stocks through December 31, 2009 

• 176 stocks or stock complexes are known with respect to their overfished status. Of 

these: 

o 133 stocks or stock complexes are not overfished (5 of these stocks are 

approaching an overfished condition). 

o 43 stocks or stock complexes are overfished. 

• 54 stocks or stock complexes have overfished thresholds not defined or applicable, 

or are unknown with respect to their overfished status. 

Summary of Overfishing and Overfished Changes of FSSI Stocks 

Stock Region Previous Status Current Status

Previous 

Total 

FSSI 

Score

Current 

Total 

FSSI 

Score

Petrale sole – Pacific 

Coast NW Not Overfished Overfished 4 2 

Blue king crab – St. 

Matthews Island AK Not Overfished – Rebuilding Rebuilt 3 4 

Rex sole – Gulf of Alaska AK Overfished – Unknown Not Overfished 

B/Bmsy > 80% 1.5 4 

Golden king crab – 

Aleutian Islands AK Overfishing – Unknown Not Subject to Overfishing 0 1.5 

Red king crab - Western 

Aleutian Islands AK Overfishing – Unknown Not Subject to Overfishing 0 1.5 

Walleye pollock - 

Western / Central Gulf of 

Alaska 

AK B/Bmsy < 80% B/Bmsy > 80% 3 4 

Swordfish – North 

Atlantic HMS Not Overfished – Rebuilding Rebuilt 3 4 

Sailfish – Western 

Atlantic HMS Overfished Not Overfished – Rebuilding 1 2 

TOTAL FSSI SCORE 565.5 573 
Overview of overfishing status of non-FSSI stocks through December 31, 

2009 

• 573 stocks or stock complexes are known with respect to their overfishing status. Of 

these: 

o 56 stocks or stock complexes are not subject to overfishing. 

o 1 stock has a fishing mortality rate that exceeds the overfishing threshold 

(i.e., is subject to overfishing). 

• 232 stocks or stock complexes have overfishing thresholds not defined or applicable, or 

are unknown with respect to their overfishing status.

Changes in overfishing status of non-FSSI stocks 

• There are no changes to any of the Regions. 

Overview of overfished status of non-FSSI stocks through December 31, 

2009 

• 273 stocks or stock complexes are known with respect to their overfished status. Of 

these: 

o 24 stocks or stock complexes are not overfished (1 of these stocks are 

approaching an overfished condition). 

o 3 stocks are overfished. 

• 262 stocks or stock complexes have overfished thresholds not defined or applicable, or 

are unknown with respect to their overfished status.

Changes in overfished status of non-FSSI stocks 

• There are no changes to any of the Regions.

FSSI stock status updates are posted quarterly at: 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm#07

 

3

 This number includes Pacific halibut, which is managed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission.