[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 26940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09622]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XV180]


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 Saint Matthew Island 
blue king crab is still overfished, the American Samoa Bottomfish 
Multi-species Complex is now subject to overfishing and now overfished, 
and the Guam Bottomfish Multi-species Complex is now overfished. NMFS, 
on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional 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 Saint Matthew Island blue king crab is 
still overfished. This determination is based on the most recent 
assessment, completed in 2019 using data through 2019, which indicates 
that the biomass estimate remains below its threshold. NMFS has 
notified the North Pacific Fishery Management Council of the 
requirements to rebuild this stock.
    NMFS has determined that the American Samoa Bottomfish Multi-
species Complex is now subject to overfishing and now overfished. This 
determination is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 
2019, using data through 2017, which indicates that this complex is 
overfished because the biomass estimate is less than the threshold and 
subject to overfishing because the fishing mortality rate is greater 
than the threshold. In addition, NMFS has determined that the Guam 
Bottomfish Multi-species Complex is now overfished. This determination 
is based on the most recent assessment, completed in 2019, using data 
through 2017, which indicates that this complex is overfished because 
the biomass estimate is less than the threshold. NMFS has notified the 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council of its obligation to end 
overfishing on the American Samoa Multi-species Complex and rebuild 
both stock complexes.

    Dated: April 30, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-09622 Filed 5-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P