noaa

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

Science, Service, Stewardship

national

marine

fisheries

service

2007

Status of U.S. Fisheries

A Message from James W. Balsiger, Ph.D.

NOAA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Status Determinations by Region

Changes in Stock Status for 2007
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE 

2007 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 

June, 2008 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Office of Sustainable Fisheries 
 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Results

• 7 stocks off the 

overfishing list 

• 4 stocks off the 

overfished list 

• 3 stocks fully 

rebuilt 

A Message from the Acting NOAA 

Assistant Administrator 

for Fisheries 

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s 

Report on the status of the U.S. fisheries for 2007 

 Science – Service - Stewardship 

I am pleased to present the 2007 report on the status of U.S. marine fish 

stocks. This report updates the status of U.S. fish stocks previously 

assessed and includes determinations for stocks assessed in 2007. The 

2007 report presents good news: 7 stocks are no longer subject to 

overfishing, 4 stocks have increased biomass and are no longer 

overfished, and 3 stocks have fully rebuilt. No stocks have been found 

newly subject to overfishing. The status of 2 stocks has declined and 

they have been determined to be overfished. In all, the number of stocks 

subject to overfishing has decreased from 48 in 2006 to 41 in 2007, and 

the number of overfished stocks has decreased from 47 to 45. NOAA’s 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is also working to increase the 

number of stocks that are assessed. NMFS assessed 184 stock and stock 

complexes in 2007, 4 for the first time. 

While these positive results are encouraging, it is important that we keep 

moving in the right direction. NMFS recognizes the importance of ensuring 

that the fishery resources under our management are healthy and 

productive. We are working hard with the eight regional Fishery 

Management Councils (Councils) to achieve the President’s goals of ending 

overfishing and rebuilding our fish stocks. Long-term sustainable 

management of the Nation’s marine fisheries helps protect the livelihoods 

of our fishing communities while also contributing significantly to the 

Nation’s economy and providing healthy seafood products for the Nation 

and the world. 

For 2008, NMFS and the Councils continue to implement the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 

(MSRA). In the MSRA, Congress called for strong action to end overfishing. 

The MSRA provides new management tools and requirements to meet this 

goal, including annual catch limits, which must be in place by 2010 for all 

stocks experiencing overfishing. In addition, tools such as limited access 

privilege programs provide a variety of options for effective fisheries 

management. I am confident these efforts will bear even more fruit in the 

coming years. 

In closing, it is important to note that the majority of our domestic 

assessed fish stocks are either not overfished (76%) or not subject to 

overfishing (83%). We appreciate the support of Congress, stakeholders, 

and constituencies as we work to rebuild fisheries and maintain healthy 

resources for the benefit of the Nation. 

James W. Balsiger, Ph.D. 
 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 
 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ i 

Introduction........................................................................................................................... 1 

Measuring Rebuilding Progress...................................................................................... 1 

Using the Best Available Data........................................................................................ 2 

Overview of overfishing status .......................................................................................... 3 

Changes in overfishing status ................................................................................................ 3 

Overview of overfished status............................................................................................ 4 

Changes in overfished status.................................................................................................. 4

Approaching an overfished condition .................................................................................... 4 

Changes in Biomass Levels ............................................................................................. 5 

Changes in biomass levels ..................................................................................................... 5

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 
i National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US 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 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. 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 2007, NMFS reviewed 5281

 individual 

stocks and stock complexes and made 

determinations of both overfishing and 

overfished status for 179 stocks and 

complexes; an additional 76 have either an 

overfishing or overfished determination. 

Two hundred and forty four stocks or stock 

complexes have known overfishing 

determinations: 203 (83%) are not subject 

to overfishing and 41 (17%) are subject to 

overfishing. These percentages represent 

an improvement from last year’s report, in 

which 80% were not subject to overfishing 

and 20% were subject to overfishing. 

The number of stocks subject to 

overfishing decreased from 48 in 2006 to 

41 in 2007. Seven stocks are no longer 

 

1

 Compared to 530 in the 2006 report: 4 Alaska 

salmon stocks were combined into a single 

complex, and black rockfish – south was added, for 

a net reduction of 2 stocks. 

subject to overfishing: monkfish – north, 

monkfish – south, winter skate, Gulf of 

Mexico red grouper, petrale sole, yellowfin 

tuna – Central Western Pacific, and bigeye 

tuna – Atlantic. No stocks have become 

subject to overfishing in 2007. 

One hundred and ninety stocks have 

known overfished determinations: 145 

(76%) are not overfished2

 and 45 (24%) 

are overfished. These percentages 

represent an improvement from last year’s 

report, in which 75% were not overfished 

and 25% were overfished. The number of 

overfished stocks decreased from 47 in 

2006 to 45 in 2007. Four stocks are no 

longer overfished: canary rockfish, Pacific 

ocean perch, blue king crab – Saint 

Matthews Island, and bigeye tuna – 

Atlantic. Two stocks have become 

overfished: winter skate and summer 

flounder. 

Three stocks have fully rebuilt to 100% of 

their BMSY levels: Silver hake - Southern 

Georges Bank/Middle Atlantic, Gulf of 

Mexico red grouper, and Tanner crab - 

Eastern Bering Sea. Management of four 

additional stocks has resulted in biomass 

levels of at least 80% of their maximum 

sustainable levels: dolphin, Pacific whiting, 

shortbelly rockfish, and arrowtooth 

flounder. Continued, sustainable 

management should lead these stocks to 

achieve optimal levels. 

 

2

 Number includes 5 stocks that are approaching an 

overfished condition 

Summary of Changes

Subject to overfishing, 2007: 41 (17%) 

Subject to overfishing, 2006: 48 (20%) 

Overfished, 2007: 45 (24%)

Overfished, 2006: 47 (25%) 
1 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US 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 in 2007 by the MagnusonStevens 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 intended 

to end overfishing be established. 

This report fulfills the Congressional requirement at Sec. 304(e)(1) 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 

Zone3

, 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? 

Measuring Rebuilding Progress 

In addition to reporting which stocks are subject to overfishing or overfished, this 

report includes information on the fishing mortality and biomass trends for 

rebuilding stocks. These stocks had been previously determined to be overfished 

and are managed under rebuilding plans. Information on the trends in fishing 

mortality and biomass for rebuilding stocks can show if the management 

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

rebuilding as planned. 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/# 

 

3

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

miles.

T
2 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

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)4

. 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. 

 

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. 

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. 

This year’s report is based on assessments completed as of December 31, 2007. 

Results from fishery stock assessments in progress on that date will be 

summarized in next year’s report. The status of all 528 stocks and stock 

complexes is summarized in Table 1. 

 

4

 In order to use the best available data, some Southeast stocks use SDC specified in the most recent scientific assessment, rather than those 

contained in the FMPs. Alaska SDC are generally specified in the annual SAFE Report, rather than in the FMP itself. 
3 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Overview of overfishing status

• 244 stocks or stock complexes have a known overfishing 

status. Of these: 

o 203 (83%) stocks or stock complexes are not subject to 

overfishing. 

o 41 (17%) stocks or stock complexes have a fishing 

mortality rate that exceeds the overfishing threshold (i.e., 

is subject to overfishing). 

• 284 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 Monkfish – North is no longer subject to overfishing. 

o Monkfish – South is no longer subject to overfishing. 

o Winter skate is no longer subject to overfishing. 

• In the Southeast Region – 

o Gulf of Mexico red grouper is no longer subject to overfishing. 

o Goliath grouper is not subject to overfishing (was previously listed 

as unknown). 

• In the Northwest Region – 

o Petrale sole is no longer subject to overfishing. 

o Splitnose rockfish is not subject to overfishing (was previously listed 

as unknown). 

• In the Pacific Islands Region – 

o Yellowfin tuna – Central Western Pacific is no longer subject to 

overfishing. 

o Bottomfish multi-species complex – Guam is not subject to 

overfishing (was previously unknown). 

• In the Highly Migratory Species Division – 

o Bigeye tuna – Atlantic is no longer subject to overfishing 

• There are no changes in the other regions. 
4 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Overview of overfished status

• 190 stocks or stock complexes have a known overfished 

status. Of these: 

o 145 (76%) stocks or stock complexes are not 

overfished - 5 of these stocks are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

o 45 (24%) stocks or stock complexes are overfished. 

• 338 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 Summer flounder is now overfished (was previously not overfished - 

rebuilding) and remains under a rebuilding plan. 

o Spiny dogfish is not overfished (was previously listed as undefined). 

o Winter skate is now overfished.5

 The NEFMC was notified on 

February 20, 2007, of this status change and is currently developing 

a rebuilding plan. 

• In the Northwest Region – 

o Canary rockfish is no longer overfished. 

o Pacific ocean perch is no longer overfished. 

o Blue rockfish is not overfished (was previously listed as unknown) 

o Longnose skate is not overfished (was previously listed as 

unknown). 

o Oregon Coastal Natural, comprised of Southern, South-Central, 

North-Central, and Northern Oregon Stocks of Oregon Production 

Index Area Coho salmon, is not overfished (was previously listed as 

N/A). 

• In the Pacific Islands Region – 

o Bottomfish multi-species complex – Guam is not overfished (was 

previously listed as unknown). 

• In the Alaska Region – 

o Blue king crab - Saint Matthews Island is no longer overfished. 

• In the Highly Migratory Species Division – 

o Bigeye tuna – Atlantic is no longer overfished. 

• There are no changes in the other regions. 

Approaching an overfished condition

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

is an examination of the current stock biomass and trends in fishing effort and 

the conclusion that the stock is likely to become overfished within 2 years. The 

 

5 This stock is no longer subject to overfishing but is overfished based on its 3-year moving average catch per tow index. “Overfishing” for this stock 

is based on the percent change between consecutive 3-year averages in catch per tow from the NEFSC fall survey (declines of at least 20%). 

“Overfished” is based on the 3-year average versus a biomass threshold. Since declines in the index did not exceed the 20% threshold, the stock is 

not subject to overfishing; however, the index is below the biomass threshold, so the stock is overfished. 
5 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

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 South Atlantic gag is now approaching an overfished condition. 

No other stocks are newly listed as approaching an overfished condition. 

Changes in 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 have 

biomass levels determined, in 2007, to have changed relative to this threshold. 

Changes in biomass levels

• In the Northeast Region - 

o Silver Hake - Southern Georges Bank / Middle Atlantic is now 

rebuilt. 

o Silver Hake – Gulf of Maine / Northern Georges Bank - B/BMSY is now 

below the 80% threshold. 

o Little Skate – B/BMSY is now below the 80% threshold. 

• In the Southeast Region – 

o Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper is now rebuilt. 

o Dolphin - B/BMSY is now above the 80% threshold. 

• In the Northwest Region – 

o Pacific Whiting - B/BMSY is now above the 80% threshold. 

o Shortbelly Rockfish - B/BMSY is now above the 80% threshold. 

o Longnose Skate - B/BMSY is above the 80% threshold (was 

previously listed as unknown). 

o Arrowtooth Flounder - B/BMSY is now above the 80% threshold. 

• In the Pacific Islands Region – 

o Bottomfish multi-species complex – Guam - B/BMSY is above the 

80% threshold (was previously listed as unknown) 

• In the Alaska Region – 

o Tanner Crab - Eastern Bering Sea is now rebuilt. 

o Walleye Pollock - Western/Central - B/BMSY is now below the 80% 

threshold. 

o Walleye Pollock - Eastern Bering Sea - B/BMSY is now below the 80% 

threshold. 

• There are no changes in the other regions. 
6 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Table 1. Description of FSSI and nonFSSI Stocks by Council, 2007. 

Overfishing Overfished 

Jurisdiction

* 

Stock 

Group 

Number of 

Stocks 

Yes No Not 

Known 

Not 

Defined 

N/A Yes No Not 

Known 

Not 

Defined 

N/A 

Approaching 

Overfished 

Condition 

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 2 9 0 0 0 3 7 1 0 0 0 

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

Total 11 2 9 0 0 0 3 7 1 0 0 0 

NEFMC/ 

MAFMC FSSI 3 0 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 

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

Total 3 0 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 

SAFMC FSSI 21 10 10 1 0 0 4 5 11 0 0 1 

NonFSSI 65 1 11 51 2 0 0 1 62 2 0 0 

Total 86 11 21 52 2 0 4 6 73 2 0 1 

GMFMC FSSI 17 4 9 4 0 0 2 5 1 9 0 0 

NonFSSI 37 0 5 30 2 0 0 0 1 36 0 0 

 Total 54 4 14 34 2 0 2 5 2 45 0 0 

SAFMC/ 

GMFMC FSSI 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 7 3 0 0 0

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

 Total 12 0 10 1 1 0 0 7 4 1 0 0

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

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

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

PFMC FSSI 48 1 30 16 1 0 4 30 11 3 0 0 

NonFSSI 120 0 17 50 0 53 0 15 51 0 53 1 

 Total 168 1 47 66 1 53 4 45 62 3 53 1 

WPFMC FSSI 16 1 6 9 0 0 1 7 8 0 0 0 

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

 Total 36 1 9 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 32 3 0 0 1 28 0 6 0 0 

NonFSSI 31 0 22 8 1 0 0 3 0 28 0 0 

 Total 66 0 54 11 1 0 1 31 0 34 0 0 

PFMC/ 

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

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

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

HMS FSSI 21 8 9 4 0 0 8 8 4 0 0 1 

NonFSSI 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 

 Total 24 8 9 7 0 0 8 8 7 0 0 1 

TOTAL FSSI 230 39 143 45 3 0 44 119 46 18 0 3 

NonFSSI 298 2 60 175 8 53 1 21 152 69 53 2 

 Total 528 41 203 220 11 53 45 140 198 87 53 5 

* 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. 
7 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Biomass and Mortality Trends in Stocks under Rebuilding 

Plans 

Following the determination that a stock is overfished, a rebuilding plan is 

developed to rebuild the stock biomass. Fisheries managers control fishing 

mortality (F) through management measures, but cannot directly control the 

response of the stock’s biomass to those measures. Biomass (B) is affected by a 

number of factors in addition to fishing, including habitat conditions, 

environmental conditions, and interactions with other species. Controlling F is 

necessary for rebuilding and we would expect that by reducing F, B would 

increase and the stock would rebuild. 

Using the most current scientific stock assessments for 34 rebuilding stocks, 

NMFS prepared a series of figures to illustrate the trends in F and B. For most 

stocks, the time series extends from four years prior to the overfished 

determination, through the most recent year data are available. Each time a 

stock is assessed, the estimates of F and B for prior years are recalculated. The 

recalculated estimates may differ, sometimes significantly, from the estimates 

made at the time the overfished determination was made. The figures include, 

for reference, the estimates on which the overfished determination was based. 

Of the 34 rebuilding stocks that were evaluated, 24 stocks (71%) have had F 

controlled by the end of the time series. For this discussion, “controlled” means 

that F is reduced below, or kept under, the overfishing level. For these 24 stocks, 

18 (75%) show increases in biomass and 6 stocks (25%) show declines or flat 

trends in biomass. For the remaining 10 stocks (29%) where F has not been 

adequately controlled, 7 stocks (70%) show declines or flat trends in biomass. 

Included in this report are figures for two stocks that illustrate the results. Figure 

1 shows a stock where a clear trend in decreasing F corresponds to an increase 

in B. Figure 2 shows a stock where F has not yet been controlled and the 

biomass does not show signs of rebuilding. The figures for all 34 stocks can be 

found on the NMFS website at: 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm#07 
8 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

bluefish (except Gulf of Mexico)

0

1

2

199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006

Year

Ratio

B/Bmsy

F/Fmsy

Overfishing F/Fmsy≥1

Overfished B/Bmsy ≤ 0.5

Rebuilding

Plan 

2001-2009

Overfished

Declaration

F/Fmsy for initial 

overfished declaration

bluefin tuna - North Atlantic 

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

199619971998199920002001200220032004

Year

Ratio

B/Bmsy

F/Fmsy

Overfished MSST = B/Bmsy 0.86

Overfishing F/Fmsy≥1

Overfished 

Declaration

Rebuilding

Plan 

1999-2018

B/Bmsy = 0.14-0.17*

for initial 

overfished declaration

Figure 1. The Northeast Region’s bluefish stock is an example of a stock showing 

controlled fishing mortality and a corresponding improvement in biomass. 

Figure 2. The Highly Migratory Species bluefin tuna – North Atlantic stock is an 

example of a stock showing fishing mortality above reference points and no 

corresponding improvement in biomass.
9 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Status Determinations by Region 

Northeast Region

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, 10 stocks are 

subject to overfishing, 21 stocks are overfished, and no stocks are approaching 

an overfished condition. See Table 4. 

Table 4. Northeast Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are 

approaching an overfished condition. 

Council FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

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 

-

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

windowpane flounder – 

SNE/MA

winter flounder – 

SNE/MA

- 

- 

ocean pout

Atlantic halibut

- NEFMC 

Northeast Skate - 

- 

thorny skate 

winter skate - 

NEFMC/ 

MAFMC Monkfish - 

- 

monkfish – North* 

monkfish – South* - 

Summer 

Flounder, Scup 

and Black Sea 

Bass 

summer flounder 

scup 

summer flounder 

scup - 

MAFMC 

Atlantic 

Mackerel, Squid, 

and Butterfish 

butterfish - 

* Based on the biomass reference points in the FMP as of December 31, 2007, the stock is considered overfished. However, the stock 

assessment conducted in July 2007 recommended revised biomass reference points. These revised reference points were recently 

incorporated into the Monkfish FMP on May 1, 2008, through a recent action (Framework Adjustment 5). As a result, both stocks are no 

longer considered overfished, and the status will be updated in the next report.. 
10 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Southeast Region

Eighteen FMPs6

 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; Atlantic Coast Red Drum; 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, 20 stocks are subject 

to overfishing, 10 stocks are overfished, and 3 stocks are approaching an 

overfished condition. See Table 5.

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

Council FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

South Atlantic Snapper Grouper 

vermilion snapper

red snapper

snowy grouper

red grouper

black sea bass

gag

speckled hind

warsaw grouper

tilefish

black grouper

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

snowy grouper

-

black sea bass

- 

-

-

- 

-

- 

-

red porgy 

gag

South Atlantic Shrimp - pink shrimp 

SAFMC 

Atlantic Coast Red Drum red drum - 

Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf 

of Mexico 

red snapper

greater amberjack

- 

- 

gag

gray triggerfish 

red snapper

greater amberjack

-

-

- 

- 

GMFMC 

Gulf of Mexico Red Drum - - 

Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico 

and the USVI 

Grouper Unit 1 

- 

Grouper Unit 4 

Snapper Unit 1 

Parrotfishes 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 2 

Grouper Unit 4 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

Snapper Unit 1 

Parrotfishes

CFMC 

Queen Conch Resources of 

Puerto Rico and the USVI queen conch queen conch - 

 

6 Last year’s report listed a calico scallop FMP as under development; however, no plans exist to implement an FMP in the EEZ 

for this species.
11 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Southwest Region 

Two FMPs containing 19 stocks or complexes7

 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 6. 

Table 6. 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 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.

 

7

 Total includes 10 pelagic species shared with the Pacific Islands Region. 
12 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US 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, 4 stocks are overfished, and 1 stock is approaching an 

overfished condition. See Table 7. 

Table 7. Northwest Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are 

approaching an overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

Pacific Coast Groundfish 

- 

- 

- 

- 

bocaccio

darkblotched rockfish

cowcod

yelloweye rockfish

West Coast Salmon - - 

Klamath River fall 

(Klamath and Trinity 

Rivers) Chinook 

salmon 
13 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Pacific Islands Region

Five FMPs containing 45 stocks or complexes8

 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, 2 stocks or stock complexes are 

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

stock complexes are approaching an overfished condition. See Table 8. 

Table 8. 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 

- 

Bottom Multispecies complex 

– Hawaiian archipelago

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. 

** Pelagic armorhead is assessed as the indicator species of a 3-species groundfish complex that includes raftfish and alfonsin.

 

8

 Total includes 10 pelagic species shared with the Southwest region. 
14 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Alaska Region 

Five FMPs containing 69 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council: GOA Groundfish; BSAI Groundfish; 

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab; Alaska Weathervane 

Scallops; 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 stocks or stock complex is overfished, and no stocks or stock 

complexes are approaching an overfished condition. See Table 9. 

Table 9. 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 
15 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

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

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. Within this FMP, 8 stocks or stock complexes 

are subject to overfishing, 8 stocks or stock complexes are overfished, and 1 

stock is approaching an overfished condition. See Table 10. 

Table 10. Atlantic Highly Migratory stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, 

or are approaching an overfished condition. 

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching 

Atlantic Highly Migratory 

Species 

blue marlin - Atlantic

white marlin - Atlantic

sailfish - West Atlantic

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic

- 

finetooth shark

Dusky shark 

sandbar shark*

blue marlin - Atlantic

white marlin - Atlantic

sailfish - West Atlantic

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic

Porbeagle shark 

- 

Dusky shark 

sandbar shark*

yellowfin tuna - Atlantic 

* This stock is part of the Large Coastal Shark complex, but is assessed separately.
16 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Table 11. Comparing stocks or stock complexes with “subject to overfishing” 

determinations in 2006 and 2007. Stocks in ITALICS under “2006” were removed from the 

list in 2007. 

COUNCIL 2006 2007 COUNCIL 2006 2007 

NEFMC 

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

yellowtail flounder - 

SNE/ Mid-Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder - 

Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine 

white hake 

winter flounder - SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder – 

Georges Bank 

winter flounder – 

Georges Bank 

WINTER SKATE

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

yellowtail flounder - SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder - Cape 

Cod/Gulf of Maine 

white hake 

winter flounder - SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder – 

Georges Bank 

winter flounder – Georges 

Bank 

- 

CFMC 

Queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 4 

parrotfishes 

Snapper Unit 1 

Queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 4 

parrotfishes 

Snapper Unit 1 

NEFMC/MAFMC MONKFISH - NORTH

MONKFISH – SOUTH

- 

- PFMC 

Yellowfin tuna – Eastern 

Pacific

PETRALE SOLE

Yellowfin tuna – Eastern 

Pacific 

-

MAFMC scup 

summer flounder

scup 

summer flounder WPFMC 

bottomfish multi-species 

complex – Hawaiian 

archipelago 

YELLOWFIN TUNA –

CENTRAL WESTERN PACIFIC 

bottomfish multi-species 

complex – Hawaiian 

archipelago 

- 

SAFMC 

vermilion snapper 

red snapper 

snowy grouper 

tilefish 

red grouper 

black sea bass 

gag 

speckled hind 

warsaw grouper 

black grouper 

red drum 

vermilion snapper 

red snapper 

snowy grouper 

tilefish 

red grouper 

black sea bass 

gag 

speckled hind 

warsaw grouper 

black grouper 

red drum 

PFMC/ 

WPFMC bigeye tuna – Pacific bigeye tuna – Pacific 

SAFMC/GMFMC None None NPFMC None None 

GMFMC 

red snapper 

RED GROUPER

greater amberjack 

Gray triggerfish 

Gag 

red snapper 

- 

greater amberjack 

Gray triggerfish 

Gag 

HMS 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic 

BIGEYE TUNA - ATLANTIC

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West 

Atlantic 

sandbar shark 

finetooth shark 

Dusky shark

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic 

-

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna - West 

Atlantic 

sandbar shark 

finetooth shark 

Dusky shark

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 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

Table 12. Stocks or stock complexes with “overfished” determinations in 2006 and 2007. 

Stocks in BOLD were added to the list in 2007. Stocks in ITALICS under “2006” were 

removed from the list in 2007.

Council 2006 2007 Council 2006 2007 

NEFMC 

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

haddock - Gulf of Maine 

haddock - Georges Bank 

American plaice 

yellowtail flounder – SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder - Cape 

Cod/Gulf of Maine 

yellowtail flounder – 

Georges Bank 

white hake 

windowpane Flounder – 

SNE/ Mid-Atlantic 

winter Flounder – SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

ocean pout 

Atlantic halibut 

thorny skate 

- 

Atlantic salmon 

cod - Gulf of Maine 

cod - Georges Bank 

haddock - Gulf of Maine 

haddock - Georges Bank 

American plaice 

yellowtail flounder – SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

yellowtail flounder - Cape 

Cod/Gulf of Maine 

yellowtail flounder – 

Georges Bank 

white hake 

windowpane Flounder – 

SNE/ Mid-Atlantic 

winter Flounder – SNE/ 

Mid-Atlantic 

ocean pout 

Atlantic halibut 

thorny skate 

WINTER SKATE

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 

NEFMC/ 

MAFMC 

Monkfish – North 

Monkfish – South 

Monkfish – North 

Monkfish – South PFMC 

bocaccio 

CANARY ROCKFISH

darkblotched rockfish 

cowcod 

yelloweye rockfish 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH

bocaccio 

- 

darkblotched rockfish 

cowcod 

yelloweye rockfish 

- 

MAFMC 

Butterfish 

scup 

- 

butterfish 

scup 

SUMMER FLOUNDER

WPFMC 

Seamount Groundfish 

complex - Hancock 

Seamounts 

Seamount Groundfish 

complex - Hancock 

Seamounts 

SAFMC 

snowy grouper 

black sea bass 

red porgy 

pink shrimp

snowy grouper 

black sea bass 

red porgy 

pink shrimp* 

PFMC/ 

WPFMC None None 

SAFMC/ 

GMFMC None None NPFMC 

blue king crab - Pribilof 

Islands 

BLUE KING CRAB - SAINT 

MATTHEW ISLAND

blue king crab - Pribilof 

Islands 

- 

GMFMC red snapper 

greater amberjack 

red snapper 

greater amberjack HMS 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic 

BIGEYE TUNA - ATLANTIC

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna – West Atlantic 

sandbar shark 

Porbeagle shark 

Dusky shark 

blue marlin - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic 

-

albacore - North Atlantic

bluefin tuna – West Atlantic 

sandbar shark 

Porbeagle shark 

Dusky shark 

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 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

New England:1. Cod – Gulf of Maine2. Cod – Georges Bank3. Haddock – Gulf of Maine4. Haddock – Georges Bank5. American Plaice6. Yellowtail flounder – Georges Bank7. Yellowtail flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic8. Yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine9. White Hake10. Windowpane Flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic11. Winter Flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic12. Ocean Pout13. Atlantic Halibut14. Winter skate15. Thorny skate16. *Atlantic Salmon

Overfished Stocks (45) - 2007

New England/Mid Atlantic:1. Monkfish – North**2. Monkfish – South**

Mid-Atlantic:1. Summer Flounder2. Scup3. Butterfish (Atlantic)

South Atlantic:1. Pink shrimp2. Snowy grouper3. Black Sea Bass4. Red Porgy

Gulf of Mexico:1. Red Snapper2. Greater Amberjack

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

Pacific:1. Bocaccio2. Darkblotched Rockfish3. Cowcod4. Yelloweye Rockfish

Western Pacific1. Seamount Groundfish Complex – Hancock Seamount

North Pacific:1. Blue King Crab – Pribilof Islands

Highly Migratory Species:1. Blue Marlin – Atlantic2. White Marlin – Atlantic3. Sailfish – West Atlantic4. Albacore – North Atlantic5. Bluefin Tuna – West Atlantic6. Sandbar Shark7. Porbeagle Shark8. Dusky Shark

Notes:* Indicates non-FSSI stock** Based on the current biomass reference points in the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), the stock remains overfished. However, a July 2007 stock assessment recommended revising the biomass reference points in the FMP. If the FMP is revised, the status will change to not overfished. 
19 National Marine Fisheries Service 2007 Status of US Fisheries 

New England:1. Cod – Gulf of Maine2. Cod – Georges Bank3. Yellowtail flounder – Georges Bank4. Yellowtail flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic5. Yellowtail flounder – Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine6. White Hake7. Winter Flounder – Georges Bank8. Winter Flounder – Southern New England/Middle Atlantic

Stocks “Subject to Overfishing” (41) –2007

Mid-Atlantic:1. Summer flounder2. Scup

South Atlantic:1. Vermilion Snapper2. Red Snapper3. Snowy Grouper4. Tilefish5. Red Grouper6. Black Sea Bass7. Gag8. Black Grouper9. Speckled Hind10.Warsaw Grouper11.*Red Drum

Gulf of Mexico:1. Red Snapper2. Greater Amberjack3. Gag4. Gray Triggerfish

Caribbean:1. Snapper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 13. Grouper Unit 44. Queen Conch5. *Parrotfishes

Pacific:1.Yellowfin Tuna – Eastern Pacific

Western Pacific

1. Bottomfish Multi-Species Complex – Hawaiian Archipelago

Highly Migratory Species:1. Blue Marlin – Atlantic2. White Marlin – Atlantic3. Sailfish – West Atlantic4. Albacore – North Atlantic5. Bluefin Tuna – West Atlantic6. Sandbar Shark7. Finetooth Shark8. Dusky Shark

Pacific

Note: * Indicates non-FSSI stockBlue = Also Overfished

and Western Pacific

1. Bigeye Tuna – Pacific
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, 2008, Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries-2007, U.S. Department 

of Commerce, NOAA, Natl., Mar. Fish. Serv., Silver Spring, MD, 23 pp. 

Cover photos: NOAA photo library 
U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Carlos M. Gutierrez

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and

Atmosphere and Administrator, National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration—NOAA 

Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr.

Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries Service

James W. Balsiger, Ph.D.

www.nmfs.noaa.gov

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East West Highway

SSMC 3, F/SF, Room 9535

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

U. S. Government – 2008