[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41022-41023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16293]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB230]


Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that Southern Atlantic gag 
is now subject to overfishing and is now overfished; Southern Atlantic 
snowy grouper and Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack are now subject to 
overfishing and are still overfished; Klamath River fall-run Chinook 
salmon, Queets coho salmon, Strait of Juan de Fuca coho salmon, 
Northwestern Atlantic Coast ocean pout, Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank 
Atlantic wolffish, and Pribilof Island blue king crab are still 
overfished; Southern Atlantic red snapper is still subject to 
overfishing and overfished; and Hood Canal coho salmon is now 
approaching

[[Page 41023]]

an overfished condition. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the 
appropriate regional fishery management council (Council) whenever it 
determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, 
overfished, or approaching an overfished condition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Frens, (301)-427-8523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 304(e)(2) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, 
must notify Councils, and publish a notice in the Federal Register, 
whenever it determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to 
overfishing, overfished, or approaching an overfished condition.
    NMFS has determined that Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack is now 
subject to overfishing and is still overfished. This determination is 
based on the most recent assessment, completed in 2021 and using data 
through 2018, which indicates that this stock is subject to overfishing 
because the fishing mortality rate was above the threshold, and is 
still overfished because the biomass is below the threshold. NMFS has 
notified the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council of the 
requirement to end overfishing and to rebuild this stock.
    NMFS has determined that Southern Atlantic gag is now both subject 
to overfishing and overfished, that Southern Atlantic snowy grouper is 
now subject to overfishing and is still overfished, and that Southern 
Atlantic red snapper is still both subject to overfishing and 
overfished. The determinations for gag and red snapper are based on the 
most recent assessments, completed in 2021 using data through 2019, 
which indicate that these stocks are subject to overfishing because the 
fishing mortality rates are above the respective thresholds and the 
biomasses are below the respective thresholds. The determination for 
snowy grouper is based on the most recent update assessment, completed 
in 2021 using data through 2018, which indicates that the stock is 
subject to overfishing because the fishing mortality rate is above the 
threshold, and is still overfished because the biomass is below the 
threshold. NMFS has notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council of the requirement to end overfishing and to rebuild these 
stocks.
    NMFS has determined that Northwestern Atlantic Coast ocean pout and 
Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Atlantic wolffish are still overfished. 
These determinations are based on the most recent assessments, 
completed in 2020 using data through 2019, which indicate that the 
stocks are overfished because their biomasses are below the respective 
thresholds. NMFS continues to work with the New England Fishery 
Management Council to rebuild these stocks.
    NMFS has determined that Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon, 
Queets coho salmon, and Strait of Juan de Fuca coho salmon are still 
overfished, and that Hood Canal coho salmon is now approaching an 
overfished condition. These determinations are based on the most recent 
assessments, completed in 2021 and using data from 2018-2020 for 
Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon, data from 2017-2019 for Queets 
and Juan de Fuca coho salmon, and data from 2018-2019 and 2021 for Hood 
Canal coho salmon. The determination of overfished for the first three 
stocks is based on the three-year geometric mean of the annual spawning 
escapement for each stock falling below its respective overfished 
threshold. The determination of approaching an overfished condition for 
Hood Canal coho salmon is based on the three-year geometric mean of the 
two most recent postseason estimates of spawning escapement (2018-
2019), and the current preseason forecast of spawning escapement 
(2021), falling below the threshold. Of these four salmon stocks, only 
the Chinook stock is domestically managed. The Council has limited 
ability to control fisheries for the three internationally-managed coho 
stocks in waters outside its jurisdiction. NMFS continues to work with 
the Pacific Council to rebuild these stocks, and has notified the 
Pacific Council of the requirement to prevent the Hood Canal coho 
salmon stock from becoming overfished.
    NMFS has determined that Pribilof Island blue king crab is still 
overfished. This determination is based on the most recent assessment, 
completed in 2021 using data through 2021, which indicates that the 
stock is overfished because the biomass estimate remains below its 
threshold. NMFS continues to work with the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council to rebuild this stock.

    Dated: July 27, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16293 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
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