[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52888-52889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24686]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF728


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 the following stocks 
are subject to overfishing or approaching an overfished condition. The 
Stillaguamish coho salmon stock in Puget Sound is now subject to 
overfishing. The Klamath River fall Chinook salmon stock on the 
Northern California coast, the Queets coho salmon stock on the 
Washington coast, and the Skagit coho salmon stock in Puget Sound are 
all approaching an overfished condition. The Puerto Rico spiny lobster 
stock and the Puerto Rico Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex are both 
still subject to overfishing. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, 
notifies the appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever 
it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an 
overfished condition or a stock is approaching an overfished condition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.

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 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 the Stillaguamish coho salmon stock in 
Puget Sound is now subject to overfishing, as the current estimate of 
fishing mortality (F) exceeds its maximum fishing mortality threshold 
(MFMT). This determination is based on a 2017 assessment--using data 
from 2015--produced by the Pacific Fishery Management Council's 
(Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT). The Pacific Council 
manages this stock. Since this stock migrates north, it is also managed 
under the Pacific Salmon Treaty (Treaty), a bilateral agreement to 
facilitate management of certain salmon stocks between the United 
States and Canada. The Pacific Salmon Commission (Commission) 
implements this Treaty. NMFS has informed the Pacific Council of this 
determination and that, if exceedance of MFMT for Stillaguamish coho 
continues, the Council may consider taking further action, consistent 
with the provisions of the FMP. Due to the international management of 
this stock, the Pacific Council has limited ability to control ocean 
fisheries in waters outside their jurisdiction.
    NMFS has determined that the Klamath River fall Chinook salmon 
stock on the Northern California coast,

[[Page 52889]]

the Queets coho salmon stock on the Washington coast, and the Skagit 
coho salmon stock in Puget Sound are all approaching an overfished 
condition. These determinations are made when the 3-year geometric mean 
of each stock's two most recent postseason estimates of spawning 
escapement and the current preseason forecast of spawning escapement is 
below the stock's minimum stock size threshold (MSST). The 
determination for Chinook is based on a 2017 assessment--using data 
from 2015-2017--produced by the Pacific Council's STT using 
methodologies that have been reviewed by the Pacific Council's Science 
and Statistical Committee. The determinations for the two coho stocks 
are based on a 2017 assessment--using data from 2014-2015, 2017--
produced by the Commission's Coho Technical Committee. NMFS informed 
the Pacific Council that if any of these stocks become overfished, they 
must direct the STT to prepare a rebuilding plan within one year. Due 
to the international management of the coho stocks, the Pacific Council 
has limited ability to control ocean fisheries in waters outside their 
jurisdiction.
    NMFS has determined that Puerto Rico spiny lobster and the Puerto 
Rico Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex are both still subject to 
overfishing because the 2015 landings exceeded the overfishing limits 
(OFLs). NMFS is working with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
to implement conservation and management measures to end overfishing on 
this stock and stock complex.

    Dated: November 8, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24686 Filed 11-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P