[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 23497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08375]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB939]


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 South Atlantic 
blueline tilefish is now subject to overfishing; Georges Bank Atlantic 
cod is still overfished; and Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod is still 
subject to overfishing and still overfished. 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 South Atlantic blueline tilefish is now 
subject to overfishing. Blueline tilefish was not assessed in 2021, and 
catch data from 2020 support a determination that this stock is subject 
to overfishing because the catch exceeded the threshold. NMFS has 
notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council of the 
requirement to end and prevent overfishing on this stock.
    NMFS has determined that Georges Bank Atlantic cod is still 
overfished, and that Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod is still subject to 
overfishing and still overfished. The Georges Bank Atlantic cod 
determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 2021 
using commercial fishery catch data through 2020 and updated research 
survey indices of abundance through spring 2021. The assessment cannot 
quantitatively determine overfished or overfishing status, but the poor 
condition of the stock qualitatively indicates that it remains 
overfished. The Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod determination is based on 
the most recent assessment, completed in 2021 using data through 2019, 
which indicate that the stock is subject to overfishing because the 
fishing mortality rate is above the threshold, and overfished because 
the biomass is below the threshold. NMFS continues to work with the New 
England Fishery Management Council to end overfishing on Gulf of Maine 
Atlantic cod and to rebuild both of these stocks.

    Dated: April 14, 2022.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08375 Filed 4-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P