NOAA



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

# 2008 Status of U.S. Fisheries

NATIONAL

MARINE FISHERIES

SERVICE

Science, Service, Stewardship



# A Message from James W. Balsiger, Ph.D. NOAA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Status Determination by Region

Changes in Stock Status for 2008

# NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

2008 REPORT TO CONGRESS

THE STATUS OF U.S. FISHERIES

As mandated by the Sustainable Fisheries Act amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conser vation and Management Act of 1996

May, 2009

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

# National Marine Fisheries Servi ce 2008 Status of US Fisheries Results Overfishing

• 41 stocks are subject to overfishing

• 210 are not Overfished

• 46 stocks are overfished

• 153 are not

• 4 are rebuilt 

# A Message from th e Acting NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s Report on the status of the U.S. fisheries for 2008

Science – Service - Stewardship

I am pleased to present the 2008 report on the status of U.S. marine fish stocks. The report shows that three stocks are no longer subject to overfishing, three stocks have increased in biomass and are no longer overfi shed, and four stocks have fully rebuilt. However, four stocks have been found to be subject to overfishing and four stocks have been determined to be overfished. In all, 41 stocks are subject to overfishing and 46 stocks are overfished. Some of thes e stocks are managed under international agreements and action by the international community is critical to ending overfishing for these stocks.

NMFS recognizes the importance of ensuri ng that the fishery resources under our management are healthy and productive. The commercial seafood industry and recreational saltwater fishing provide our Na tion with food, jobs, and other benefits that we want to continue for future ge nerations when we en d overfishing. We continue to work hard with the eight regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils) to achieve the goals of ending ov erfishing, rebuilding our fish stocks to sustainable levels, and ensuring the bene fits of productive stocks for future generations.

Much progress has been made over the past several years in increasing the sustainability of our stocks. This progress is indicated by the Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI). The FSSI meas ures the performance of key stocks and increases as we conduct additional stock assessments, end overfishing, and rebuild stocks to the level that provides maximu m sustainable yield. This index increased from 357.5 in 2000 to 555.5 in 2008.

In addition, in January 2009 we published guidance for implementing annual catch limits in all fisheries as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The guidance accounts for scientific uncertainty in estimating catch limits for a stock, and calls for stro ng accountability measures to prevent annual catch limits from being exceeded and to address such a situation quickly should it occur. We believe these guidel ines lay a strong foundation for ending overfishing and allowing stocks to rebuild. This report briefly discusses the possible implications of the guidance on rebuilding.

In closing, it is important to note that the majority of our domestic assessed fish stocks are either not subject to overfish ing (84%) or not overfished (77%). We appreciate the support of Congress, stakehol ders, and constituencies as we work to increase our knowledge of unassessed stoc ks, rebuild fisheries and maintain healthy resources for the benefit of the Nation.

James W. Balsiger, Ph.D.

# National Marine Fisheries Service 2008 Status of US Fisheries

# National Marine Fisheries Service 2008 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 ............................................................................... 6 Changes in Overfished Status ............................................................................................. 6 Changes in Approaching an Overfished Condition .......................................................... 6 Biomass Levels ................................................................................................................. 7 Changes in Biomass Levels .................................................................................................. 7 Biomass and Mortality Trends in Stocks under Rebuilding Plans ...... 9 Implementing Annual Catch Limits ...................................................................... 9 Status Determinations by Region ....................................................................... 10 Northeast Region ................................................................................................................ 10 Southeast Region ................................................................................................................ 11 Southwest Region ............................................................................................................... 12 Northwest Region ............................................................................................................... 13 Pacific Islands Region ........................................................................................................ 14 Alaska Region ..................................................................................................................... 15 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ................................................................................... 16

# 1 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries 

# Executive Summary

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that NOAA’s National Mari ne 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 gene rated by the NMFS’ regional offices and science centers based on the most recent stock assessments as of December 31, 2008. Status determinations are generally made during a formal review of a scientific stock assessment using the best available scientific information and status determination criteria spec ified in a fishery management plan.

Stocks discussed in this report are char acterized 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 2008, NMFS reviewed 531 1 

# individual stocks and stock complexes and made determinations of both overfishing and overfished status for 191 stocks and complexes; an additional 68 have ei ther an overfishing or overfished determination.

Two hundred fifty-one stocks or stock complexes have known overfishing determinations: 210 (84%) are not subject to overfishing and 41 (16%) are subject to overfishing. These percentages are a slight improvement from last year’s report, in which 17% were subject to overfishing and 83% were not. This slight improvement in the percentages reflects new assessments which have added to the number of stocks with known overfishing determinations.

Three stocks are no longer subject to overfishing: finetooth shark – Atlantic, Summer flounder - Mid-Atlantic Coast, and Hawaiian Archipelago Bottomfish Multi-species Complex. Four stocks have been listed as subject to overfishing in 2008: thorny skate - Gulf of Maine, pink shrimp – Gulf of Mexico
, blacknose shark – Atlantic, and shortfin mako –Atlantic

.
One hundred ninety-nine stocks have known overfished determinations: 153 (77%) are not overfished 2 

# and 46 (23%) are overfished. These percentages represent a slight improvement from last year’s report, in which 24% were

1 Compare to 528 in the 2007 report: 5 Alaska scallop stocks were added; Atlantic red drum was removed, and South Atlantic and G ulf of Mexico mutton snapper stocks were combined into on e stock, for a net increase of 3 stocks.

2 Number includes 5 stocks that are approaching an overfished condition. 

# Summary of Changes

Subject to overfishing, 2008 : 41 (16%) Subject to overfishing, 2007: 41 (17%)

Overfished, 2008 : 46 (23%) Overfished, 2007: 45 (24%)

# 2 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI)

357.5 369.5 413.5 431.5 456.0 495.5 506.5 531.0 555.5

300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Calendar YearScore



# Figure 1. FSSI score, 2000-2008. overfished and 76% were not. This slight improvement in the percentages reflects new assessments which have adde d to the number of stocks with known overfished determinations.

Three stocks are no longer overfished: monkfish – North
, monkfish – South , and summer flounder – Mid-Atlantic Coast . Two stocks have become overfished: smooth skate – Gulf of Maine and blacknose shark – Atlantic . Two stocks, previously listed as unknown, have been determined to be overfished: red snapper – South Atlantic , and gray triggerfish – Gulf of Mexico

.
Four stocks have fully rebuilt to 100% of their B MSY 

# levels: monkfish – North, monkfish – South, bluefish – Atlantic Coast , and king mackerel – Gulf of Mexico

. Management of two additional stocks has resulted in biomass levels of at least 80% of their maximum sustainable levels: Hawaiian Archipelago Bottomfish Multi-species Complex and yellowfin tuna – Western Atlantic

.
NMFS measures progress towards the sustainability of our nation’s fisheries through the Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI). The FSSI measures the performance of key stocks and increases as additional assessments are conducted, overfishing is ended and stoc ks rebuild to the level that provides maximum sustainable yield. This index increased from 357.5 in 2000 to 555.5 in 2008, see Figure 1 below. While change from one year to the next may not be dramatic, the 55% increase in the FSSI in 8 years represents significant progress in improving our knowledge of stock status and sustainably managing our fisheries. More information about the FSSI can be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm



# .

# 3 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 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, Publ ic Law 94-294 (MSA), as amended in1996 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 ov erfished has a biomass level below its prescribed biological threshold. The MSRA requires annual catch limits that end overfishing be established by 2010 for all stocks subject to overfishing and by 2011 for all other stocks.

This report fulfills the Congressional requirement in Sec. 304(e)(1) of the MSA for an annual report on the status of fisher ies within each Counc il’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 3 

# , including stocks that straddle international boundaries and highly migratory stocks. In response to the Congressional requirement, the report categorizes stocks according to their status. The report answers four questions which help determine the effectiveness of management measures in meeting the provisions of the MSA:

1. What stocks are subject to overfishing? 2. What stocks are overfished? 3. What stocks are approaching an overfished condition? 4. How do this year’s determinations compare to previous years?

Information on fishing mortality and biomass trends for rebuilding stocks, which can show if the management measures to end overfishing are working and if the biomass of the stock is rebuilding as planned, can be found at the NMFS website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm 

# . Additional information on many rebuilding stocks, as well as other important fish stocks, can be found at the NMFS FishWatch website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/#



# .



# Using the Best Available Data

To categorize marine fish stocks for this report, NMFS reviewed each stock relative to the status determination criteria (SDC) contained in the relevant

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

# T

# 4 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries 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 re ferred 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 whet her or not the stock is approaching an overfished condition. NMFS used many resources to make these determinations, including final, peer-reviewed document s such as Stock Assessment Review Committee reports and recommendations of each Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. For species not included in a federal FMP (i.e., species managed by international agreement), the stock status determination was made in accordance with the relevant FMP or agreement. More information on the stock complexes and methodology used to include them in this report can be found in Appendix 1, located on the NMFS website, http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm



# .
NMFS continues to make progress in im proving the scientific knowledge of marine fisheries and in the ability to use that knowledge to manage for the sustained use of these resources. NMFS is also working to increase the number of stocks that are assessed. NMFS assessed 217 5 

# stock and stock complexes in 2008, 7 for the first time. In 2008, 7 additional stocks now have known overfishing determinations and 8 additional stocks now have overfished determinations. Of those, 6 are not subject to overfishing and 6 are not overfished.

This year’s report is based on assessme nts completed as of December 31, 2008. Results from fishery stock assessments in progress on that date will be summarized in next year’s report. Species or stock names used in this report now reflect accepted scientific nomenclatu re. These are the same stocks listed in previous reports, but the linked specie s and stock area name may be different from what was previously reported. The status of all 531 stocks and stock complexes is summarized in Table 1.

4 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 SAFE Report, rather than in t he FMP itself.

5 Number includes the assessment of 19 stocks in the Northeast Multispecies FMP, results of which will not be used to make deter minations until the FMP is amended to reflect the SDC recommended in the assessment. It also includes Pacific Coas t Groundfish stocks for which to tal fishing mortality estimates were used for the first time to determine the overfishing status of the stock.

# 5 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Overview of Overfishing Status

• 251 stocks or stock complexes have a known overfishing status. Of these:

o 210 (84%) stocks or stock complexes are not subject to overfishing.

o 41 (16%) stocks or stock complexes have a fishing mortality rate that exceeds the overfishing threshold (i.e., is subject to overfishing).

• 280 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 Summer flounder - Mid-Atlantic Coast is no longer subject to overfishing.

o Thorny skate - Gulf of Maine is now subject to overfishing. • In the Southeast Region –

o Pink shrimp – Gulf of Mexico is now subject to overfishing 6



## .
o Red Drum – Southern Atlantic Coast was removed from the list of stocks subject to overfishing. Management authority for this stock was transferred to the ASMFC 7 

## during 2008 and is no longer under federal managementjurisdiction. Its status is now reported under stocks contained in nonFederal FMPs and is unchanged as subject to overfishing. • In the Northwest Region –

o Gopher rockfish – Northern California is not subject to overfishing (was previously unknown).

o California scorpionfish – Southern California is not subject to overfishing (was previously unknown).

o Starry flounder – Pacific coast is not subject to overfishin g (was previously unknown). • In the Pacific Islands Region –

o Hawaiian Archipelago Bottomfish Mult i-species Complex is no longer subject to overfishing. • In the Alaska Region –

o Red king crab – Norton Sound is not subject to overfishing (was previously unknown). • In the Highly Migratory Species Division –

o Finetooth shark – Atlantic is no longer subject to overfishing.

o Blue shark – Atlantic is not subject to overfishing (was previously unknown).

o Skipjack tuna – Western Atlantic is not subject to overfishing (was previously unknown).

o Blacknose shark – Atlantic is now subject to overfishing.

o Shortfin mako – Atlantic is subject to overfishing (was previously unknown). • There are no changes in the other regions.

6 The Gulf of Mexico pink shrimp was determined to be subject to overfishing because the 2008 stock assessment estimated parent stock levels to be less than 100 m illion shrimp. However, this apparent decline is likely due to a reduction in fishin g effort rather than a true decrease in abundance. The assessment is currently under review and the overfi shing status of pink shrimp may be revised soon.

7 ASMFC – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

# 6 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Overview of Overfished Status

• 199 stocks or stock complexes have a known overfished status. Of these:

o 153 (77%) stocks or stock complexes are not overfished - 5 of these st ocks are approaching an overfished condition.

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

• 332 stocks or stock complexes have overfished thresholds not defined or applicable, or ar e unknown with respect to their overfished status.



# Changes in Overfished Status • In the Northeast Region –

o Summer flounder - Mid-Atlantic Coast is no longer overfished.

o Monkfish – North is no longer overfished and is now rebuilt.

o Monkfish – South is no longer overfished and is now rebuilt.

o Smooth skate - Gulf of Maine is now overfished. • In the Southeast Region –

o Vermillion snapper – Southern Atlantic Coast is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Royal red shrimp (Gulf of Mexico) is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Red snapper – South Atlantic is overfished (was previously unknown).

o Gray triggerfish – Gulf of Mexico is overfished (was previously unknown). • In the Alaska Region –

o Red king crab – Norton Sound is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Rougheye rockfish – Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Rex sole – Gulf of Alaska is unknown with respect to its overfished status (was previously not overfished). • In the Highly Migratory Species Division –

o Blue shark – Atlantic is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Skipjack tuna – Western Atlantic is not overfished (was previously unknown).

o Blacknose shark – Atlantic is now overfished. • There are no changes in the other regions.



# Changes in 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 definition for the biomass threshold in th e FMP, along with trends in fishing

# 7 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries 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.

• In the Highly Migratory Species Division –

o Shortfin mako – Atlantic is approaching an overfished condition (was previously unknown). • There are no changes in the other regions.



# Biomass Levels

The Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) is a performance measure for the sustainability of 230 U.S. fish stocks selected for their importance to commercial and recreational fisheries. The FSSI establishes, as an indicator of sustainability, an 80% threshold of the current stock biomass compared to the biomass that supports the maximum sustainable yield (B/B MSY 

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

# level, which is defined as a long-term average. The following stocks have biomass levels determined, in 2008, to ha ve changed relative to this threshold.



# Changes in Biomass Levels • In the Northeast Region -

o Monkfish – North is now rebuilt.

o Monkfish – South is now rebuilt. • In the Southeast Region –

o Vermillion snapper – Southern Atlantic Coast – B/B MSY 

# is above 80% (was previously not estimated).

o Pink Shrimp – Gulf of Mexico – B/B MSY 

# is now below 80%. • In the Pacific Islands Region –

o Hawaiian Archipelago Bottomfish Multi-species Complex – B/B MSY 

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

o Rougheye rockfish – Gulf of Alaska – B/B MSY 

# is above 80% (was previously not estimated).

o Red king crab – Norton Sound – B/B MSY 

# is now above 80%.

o Southern Tanner Crab - Bering Sea – B/B MSY 

# is now below 80%. • In the Highly Migratory Species Division –

o Blue shark – Atlantic – B/B MSY 

# is above 80% (was previously not estimated).

o Shortfin mako – Atlantic – B/B MSY 

# is above 80% (was previously not estimated).

o Yellowfin tuna – Western Atlantic – B/B MSY 

# is now above 80%. • There are no changes in the other regions.

# 8 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Table 1. Description of FSSI an d nonFSSI Stocks by Council, 2008.

Overfishing OverfishedJurisdiction*StockGroupNumber ofStocks



### Yes No Not Known Not Defined N/A Yes No Not Known Not Defined N/AApproachingOverfishedCondition

NEFMC FSSI 34 9 21 2 2 0 16 17 1 0 0 0

NonFSSI 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Total 35 9 22 2 2 0 17 17 1 0 0 0

MAFMC FSSI 11 1 10 0 0 0 2 8 1 0 0 0

NonFSSI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 1 10 0 0 0 2 8 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 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 5 8 4 0 0 3 6 0 8 0 0

NonFSSI 36 0 6 29 1 0 0 1 1 34 0 0
Total 53 5 14 33 1 0 3 7 1 42 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 0 13 0 0 1
Total 22 5 1 16 0 0 4 0 16 0 0 2

PFMC FSSI 48 1 33 13 1 0 4 30 11 3 0 0

NonFSSI 120 0 17 50 0 53 0 16 51 0 53 0
Total 168 1 50 63 1 53 4 46 62 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 33 2 0 0 1 29 0 5 0 0

NonFSSI 36 0 22 8 6 0 0 2 0 34 0 0
Total 71 0 55 10 6 0 1 31 0 39 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 9 10 2 0 0 9 8 2 0 0 2

NonFSSI 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
Total 24 9 11 4 0 0 9 9 4 0 0 2

TOTAL FSSI 230 40 148 39 3 0 45 124 40 17 0 4

NonFSSI 301 1 62 173 12 53 1 24 144 78 53 1
Total 531 41 210 212 15 53 46 148 184 95 53 5 * FSSI = Fish Stock Sustainability Index; NEFMC = New England Fishery Management Council; MAFMC = Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; SAFMC = South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; GMFMC = Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; CFMC = Caribbean Fishery Management Council; PFMC = Pacific Fishery Ma nagement Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Council; HMS = Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.

# 9 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US 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 regu lations required by this subsection at routine intervals that may not exceed two years for adequate progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding affected fish stocks. In the 2007 report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries, NMFS presented an analysis of trends in fishing mortality (F) and biomass (B) fo r stocks under rebuilding plans. That analysis used the most current scientific stock assessments for 39 rebuilding stocks and presented a series of figures to illustrate the trends. The analysis, and its findings, has been updated using the most recent assessments completed since that time, where available. The results are updated and presented on the NMFS website at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm

.



# Implementing Annual Catch Limits

In early 2009, NMFS put in place guide lines to aid the regional Councils in implementing annual catch limits (ACL s) and accountabilit y measures (AMs) within the fisheries in their jurisdiction 8 

# . These guidelines will facilitate compliance with requirements of the MSA to end and prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and achieve optimum yield. ACLs and AMs are required for stocks that are subject to overfishing by 2010, and for all other stocks by 2011. Congress provided two exceptions to the ACL requirements:

 unless otherwise provided for under an international agreement in which the United States participates, and

 shall not apply to a fishery for species that have a life cycle of approximately 1 year unless the Secretary has determined the fishery is subject to overfishing of that species

Of the 41 stocks subject to overfishing, NMFS believes that some stocks might be covered by the above exceptions. Howeve r, final determinations have not yet been made, and other stocks might also be considered under these exceptions.

8 The guidelines can be viewed here: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/catchlimits.htm

# 10 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries 

# Status Determinations by Region

Northeast Region 9



# 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; Su mmer 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 3.

Table 3. Northeast Region stocks that are su bject 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 - 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 -

NEFMC

Northeast Skate thorny skate - Gulf of Maine

-

- thorny skate - Gulf of Maine winter skate – Georges Bank/SNE smooth skate - Gulf of Maine -

Summer flounder,

Scup and Black Sea Bass scup - Atlantic coast scup - Atlantic coast -
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 Dis tinct Population Segment of Atlan tic Salmon has been developed un der the ESA.

9 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.

# 11 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Southeast Region

Seventeen FMPs 10 

# containing 175 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils: South Atlantic Golden Crab; South Atlantic Shrimp; South Atlantic Snapper Grouper; Coral, Coral Reefs, an d 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 Resource s of the Gulf of Mexico; Gulf of Mexico Red Drum; Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gu lf 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 Asso ciated Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Within these FMPs , 20 stocks are subj ect to overfishing, 10 stocks are overfished, and 3 stocks ar e approaching an overfished condition. See Table 4.

Table 4. Southeast Region stoc ks that are subject to overfi shing, 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

- - red snapper
snowy grouper

- black sea bass

-

-

-

-

- red porgy gag SAFMC

South Atlantic Shrimp - pink shrimp

Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper greater amberjack
gag gray triggerfish red snapper greater amberjack

- gray triggerfish GMFMC

Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico pink shrimp -

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 -

10 The Atlantic Coast Red Drum FMP has had management authority transferred 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.

# 12 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Southwest Region

Two FMPs containing 19 stocks or complexes 11 

# are managed by NMFS and the Pacific Fishery Management Council: Coastal Pelagic Species and West Coast Highly Migratory Species. Within these FM Ps, 2 stocks are subject to overfishing, no stocks are overfished, an d no stocks are a pproaching an overfished condition. See Table 5.

Table 5. Southwest Region stocks that are su bject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished condition.

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

West Coast Highly Migratory Species yellowfin tuna - Eastern Tropical Pacific
bigeye tuna - Pacific * -

-

* This stock also appears in Table 7 as a stock subject to overfishing in the Pacific Islands Region’ s Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP . Each of the 10 stocks shared between these two FMPs is listed only once in the support tables as a single stock managed under both FMPs. The Southwest and the Pacific Islands Regions, along with the Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, are workin g together to end overfishing in this stock.

11 Total includes 10 pelagic species shared with the Pacific Islands Region.

# 13 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 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 Comm ission. Within these FMPs, no stock is subject to overfishing, 4 stocks are overfished, and 1 stock is approaching an overfished condition. See Table 6.

Table 6. Northwest Region stoc ks that are subject to overfi shing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished condition.

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

Pacific Coast Groundfish -

-

-

- bocaccio

darkblotched rockfish

cowcod
yelloweye rockfish

# 14 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Pacific Islands Region

Five FMPs containing 45 stocks or complexes 12 

# are managed by NMFS and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Coun cil: 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 Pacifi c Region; and Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Western Pacific Region. Within these FMPs, 1 stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, 1 stock or stock complex is overfished, and no stock or stock complexes are approaching an overfished condition. See Table 7.

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

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region bigeye tuna – Pacific * -

Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries of the

Western Pacific Region - Seamount Groundfish complex – Hancock Seamount **

* This stock also appears in Table 5 as a stock subject to overfishing in the Southwest Region’s West Coast Highly Migratory Species 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. The Southwest and the Pacific Islands Regions, along with the Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, are working together to end overfishing in this stock. ** This stock complex uses pelagic armorhead as the indicator species of a three-species seamount groundfish complex that includes raftfish and alfonsin.

12 Total includes 10 pelagic species shared with the Southwest region.

# 15 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 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 an d 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 8.

Table 8. Alaska Region stocks that are sub ject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished condition.

FMP Overfishing Overfished Approaching

BSAI King and Tanner Crab - blue king crab - Pribilof Islands

# 16 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 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 9.

Table 9. Atlantic Highly Migratory stocks that are subject to overfi shing, 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

- dusky shark

blacknose shark – Atlantic

shortfin mako - Atlantic

sandbar shark* blue marlin - Atlantic

white marlin - Atlantic

sailfish - West 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.

# 17 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Table 10. Comparing stocks or stock comp lexes with “subject to overfishing” determinations in 2007 and 2008. Stocks in GREEN 

## under “2007” were removed from the list in 2008. Stocks in RED 

## under “2008” were added to the list in 2008.

COUNCIL 2007 2008 COUNCIL 2007 2008

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

- 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 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

MAFMC scup - Atlantic coast S UMMER FLOUNDER

- M ID

A TLANTIC C OAST scup - Atlantic coast

- PFMC yellowfin tuna – Eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna – Eastern Pacific

NEFMC/MAFMC None None WPFMC BOTTOMFISH MULTI

- SPECIES
COMPLEX

– H AWAIIAN
ARCHIPELAGO -

SAFMC vermilion snapper red snapper
snowy grouper tilefish red grouper black sea bass
gag speckled hind
warsaw grouper black grouper

RED DRUM 13 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

- red snapper greater amberjack gray triggerfish
gag P INK SHRIMP 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

FINETOOTH SHARK

- A TLANTIC dusky shark - 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 = Paci fic Fishery Management Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fishery Mana gement Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Counci l; HMS = Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.

13 This stock has had management authority transferred to the ASMFC. It is no longer under federal management and its overfishing status is now reported under stocks contained in non-Federal FMPs. The stock remains subject to overfishing.

# 18 National Marine Fisheries Serv ice 2008 Status of US Fisheries Table 11. Stocks or stock co mplexes with “overfished” de terminations in 2007 and 2008. Stocks in GREEN 

## under “2007” were removed from the list in 2008. Stocks in RED 

## under “2008” were added to the list in 2008.

Council 2007 2008 Council 2007 2008

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

-

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 winter skate S MOOTH SKATE

- G ULF OF M AINE Atlantic salmon CFMC queen conch Grouper Unit 1 Grouper Unit 2 Grouper Unit 4 queen conch Grouper Unit 1 Grouper Unit 2 Grouper Unit 4

MAFMC butterfish scup - Atlantic coast S UMMER FLOUNDER

- M ID

A TLANTIC C OAST butterfish scup - Atlantic coast

- PFMC bocaccio darkblotched rockfish cowcod yelloweye rockfish bocaccio darkblotched rockfish cowcod yelloweye rockfish

NEFMC/ MAFMC M ONKFISH

– N ORTH M ONKFISH

- S OUTH -

- 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

RED SNAPPER pink shrimp* PFMC/ WPFMC None None

GMFMC red snapper greater amberjack

- red snapper greater amberjack

GRAY TRIGGERFISH NPFMC blue king crab - Pribilof Islands blue king crab - Pribilof Islands

SAFMC/ GMFMC None None HMS blue marlin - Atlantic white marlin - Atlantic sailfish - West Atlantic albacore - North Atlantic bluefin tuna – West Atlantic sandbar shark Porbeagle shark Dusky shark

- blue marlin - Atlantic white marlin - Atlantic sailfish - West Atlantic albacore - North Atlantic bluefin tuna – West Atlantic sandbar shark Porbeagle shark Dusky shark B LACKNOSE SHARK

- A TLANTIC 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 = Paci fic Fishery Management Council; WPFMC = Western Pacific Fishery Mana gement Council; NPFMC = North Pacific Fishery Management Counci l; 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.19 National Marine Fisheries Service 2008 Status of US FisheriesNew 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 Atlantic9. Thorny SkateStocks “Subject to Overfishing” (41)– 2008Mid-Atlantic:1. ScupSouthAtlantic:1. Vermilion Snapper2. Red Snapper3. Snowy Grouper4. Tilefish5. Red Grouper6. Black Sea Bass7. Gag8. Black Grouper9. Speckled Hind10. Warsaw GrouperGulf of Mexico:1. Red Snapper2. Greater Amberjack3. Gag4. Gray Triggerfish5. Pink Shrimp – Gulf of MexicoCaribbean:1. Snapper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 13. Grouper Unit 44. Queen Conch5. *ParrotfishesPacific:1. **Yellowfin Tuna – Eastern PacificHighly MigratorySpecies:1. **Blue Marlin – Atlantic2. **White Marlin – Atlantic3. **Sailfish – West Atlantic4. **Albacore – North Atlantic5. **Bluefin Tuna – West Atlantic6.Sandbar Shark7. Dusky Shark8. Blacknose Shark9. Shortfin Mako - Atlantic*Indicates non-FSSI stock**Stock is fished by U.S. and International fleets.Blue = Also OverfishedNOTE: This map does not include the results of GARM III. Northeastmultispecies stock status is based on GARM II (assessed in 2005).PacificandWestern Pacific1. **Bigeye Tuna – PacificU.S. Department of CommerceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Marine Fisheries ServiceOffice of Sustainable FisheriesNorth Pacific:None20 National Marine Fisheries Service 2008 Status of US FisheriesNew 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. Smooth Skate17. *Atlantic SalmonOverfished Stocks(46)– 2008Mid-Atlantic:1. Scup2. Butterfish (Atlantic)South Atlantic:1. Pink shrimp2. Snowy grouper3. Black Sea Bass4. Red Porgy5. Red SnapperGulf of Mexico:1. Red Snapper2. Greater Amberjack3. Gray TriggerfishCaribbean:1. Grouper Unit 12. Grouper Unit 23. Grouper Unit 44. Queen ConchPacific:1. Bocaccio2. Darkblotched Rockfish3. Cowcod4. Yelloweye RockfishWestern Pacific1. Seamount Groundfish Complex – Hancock SeamountNorth Pacific:1. Blue King Crab – Pribilof IslandsHighly MigratorySpecies:1. **Blue Marlin – Atlantic2. **White Marlin – Atlantic3. **Sailfish – West Atlantic4. **Albacore – North Atlantic5. **Bluefin Tuna – WestAtlantic6. Sandbar Shark7. Porbeagle Shark8. Dusky Shark9. Blacknose Shark*Indicates non-FSSI stock**Stock is fished by U.S. and International fleets..NOTE: This map does not include the results of GARM III. Northeastmultispecies stock status is based on GARM II (assessed in 2005).U.S. Department of CommerceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Marine Fisheries ServiceOffice of Sustainable Fisheries

# 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, 2009, Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries-2008, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Natl., Mar. Fish. Serv., Silver Spring, MD, 23 pp.

Cover photo: NOAA photo library

# U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Gary Locke

Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Undersecretary of Commerce

Dr. Jane Lubchenco

Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

National Marine 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, MD 20910

U.S. Government - 2009