Page 12. MAINE COASTAL NEWS July 2018 Commercial Fishing News


Status of Stocks 2017 Report to Con- gress--Number of overfi shed stocks hit all time low


NOAA Fisheries is pleased to release


the annual report to congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries, which summarizes the progress the nation has made in ending over- fi shing, rebuilding historically overfi shed stocks, and helping our fi shing commu- nities succeed. The report and supporting materials are available online on the NOAA Fisheries' website, along with a message from Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. Briefl y, the 2017 Status of U.S. Fisheries refl ects the collective and continuing prog- ress in rebuilding stocks. It also fi nds that the number of stocks on the overfi shed list is at an all-time low, and stocks on the overfi shing list remain near all-time lows. In 2017, 91 percent of stocks were not subject to overfi shing and 87 percent of stocks were not overfi shed. We are also pleased to report that last year, three additional stocks were


M C F N


rebuilt: bocaccio (Southern Pacifi c Coast), darkblotched rockfi sh (Pacifi c Coast), and Pacifi c ocean perch (Pacifi c Coast). This brings the total stocks rebuilt since 2000 to 44.


This report continues to highlight the


success that can be achieved using sound science, innovative management approach- es, eff ective enforcement, meaningful part- nerships, and robust public participation. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the United States has become an international leader in fi sheries management. Our dy- namic, science-based management process is proving successful in ending overfi shing and rebuilding stocks, and in helping us at- tain signifi cant benefi ts to the U.S. economy. Number of overfi shed stocks hit all time low The number of domestic fi sh stocks listed as overfi shed has reached an all-time low, with three species of West Coast rockfi sh rebuilt to sustainable levels, according to the 2017 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress. The number of stocks on the overfi shing list also remained near all-time lows, an encouraging indicator that the U.S. fi shery management system is achieving its long-term sustainability goals. “Ending overfi shing and rebuilding


stocks provides two key benefi ts for the American people,” said Chris Oliver, as- sistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “First, it strengthens the value of U.S. fi sh- eries’ contribution to the economy, which in 2015 exceeded $208 billion dollars. Second, it supports the communities and marine eco- systems that depend on healthy fi sheries.” Three West Coast stocks were rebuilt


to target levels in 2017, bringing the total number of rebuilt U.S. marine fi sh stocks


to 44 since 2000: Bocaccio; Dark blotched rockfi sh; Pacifi c ocean perch. The overfi shing list at the end of 2017


included 30 stocks, and the overfi shed list included 35 stocks. Overall, 91 percent of U.S marine fi sh stocks are not subject to overfi shing and 87 percent are not over- fi shed. A stock is on the overfi shing list when the harvest rate – a direct result of fi shing activities – is too high. A stock is on the overfi shed list when the population size of a stock is too low, whether because of fi sh- ing or other causes, such as environmental changes. Six stocks were removed from the


overfi shing list: Sailfi sh – Western Atlantic; Blue king crab – Pribilof Islands; Puerto Rico Wrasses Complex; Coho salmon – Puget Sound: Hood Canal; Winter fl ounder – Georges Bank; Witch fl ounder – North- western Atlantic Coast (due to signifi cant


scientifi c uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 as- sessment). Six stocks came off the overfi shed list:


Yelloweye rockfi sh – Pacifi c Coast; Winter fl ounder – Georges Bank; Gray triggerfi sh – Gulf of Mexico; Red snapper – Gulf of Mexico; Pacifi c ocean perch – Pacifi c Coast; and Bluefi n tuna – Western Atlantic (due to signifi cant scientifi c uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 assessment). “Rebuilding stocks to fully utilize our


fi sheries is one way NOAA can reduce our nation’s seafood defi cit,” said Oliver. “We look forward to exploring innovative approaches to fi sheries management and working with our partners to ensure Amer- ica’s fi sheries remain the world’s most sustainable.”


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