Annual Report on Status of Stocks Released


Annual Report on Status of Stocks Released


NOAA has released its annual report on the status of U.S. marine fisheries. In 2005, NOAA scientists determined population levels for 206 fish stocks and multi-species groupings known as complexes. Of these, 152 (74 percent) were not overfished. NOAA scientists also determined the harvest rates for 237 stocks and found that 192 (81 percent) were not subject to overfishing.


NOAA scientists collect and analyze data to determine population levels and fishing rates for the major species targeted by recreational and commercial fishermen. While NOAA does not evaluate populations of every marine species, the agency continues to assess the health of more species each year. In 2005, new assessments helped NOAA determine population levels and/or fishing rates for 20 additional stocks and stock complexes.


Changes in fish population levels between 2004 and 2005:




The Pacific lingcod stock was fully rebuilt three years ahead of schedule;


Six stocks are no longer considered overfished – barndoor skate, bluefish, golden tilefish, widow rockfish, Bering Sea snow crab, and Eastern Bering Sea tanner crab;


Seven stocks whose population levels were unknown in 2004 were determined not to be overfished in 2005 – starry flounder, blackgill rockfish, gopher rockfish, California scorpionfish, kelp greenling, Gulf of Alaska rex sole, and Gulf of Alaska rougheye rockfish;


Three stocks were determined to be overfished due to population declines in 2005 – Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, scup and Pacific ocean perch;


One stock whose population level was unknown in 2004 was determined to be overfished in 2005 – the Caribbean grouper unit 4 complex.


Changes in harvest rates between 2004 and 2005:




Six stocks were no longer subject to overfishing in 2005 – American plaice, witch flounder, golden tilefish, lingcod, shortspine thornyhead, and Northern black rockfish;


Ten stocks whose fishing rates were unknown in 2004 were determined not to be subject to overfishing in 2005 – little skate, winter skate, barndoor skate, thorny skate, clearnose skate, rosette skate, smooth skate, Gulf of Alaska skate, shortraker rockfish, and longnose and big skates;


Four stocks were determined to be subject to overfishing in 2005 – Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, Georges Bank winter flounder, Central Western Pacific yellowfin tuna, and the Caribbean grouper unit 1 complex;


Three stocks whose fishing rates were unknown in 2004 were determined to be subject to overfishing in 2005 – Caribbean grouper unit 4 complex, Caribbean snapper unit 1, and Caribbean parrotfishes;


As of 2005, the North Pacific and Pacific Councils have no stocks subject to overfishing.


When a fish stock is determined to be either overfished or subject to overfishing, the regional fishery management councils must develop a plan to correct the problem. The councils were notified of the new overfished and overfishing determinations for 2005, and have taken corrective action or are scheduled to take action this summer.


Annual Report on Status of Stocks Released


NOAA has released its annual report on the status of U.S. marine fisheries. In 2005, NOAA scientists determined population levels for 206 fish stocks and multi-species groupings known as complexes. Of these, 152 (74 percent) were not overfished. NOAA scientists also determined the harvest rates for 237 stocks and found that 192 (81 percent) were not subject to overfishing.


NOAA scientists collect and analyze data to determine population levels and fishing rates for the major species targeted by recreational and commercial fishermen. While NOAA does not evaluate populations of every marine species, the agency continues to assess the health of more species each year. In 2005, new assessments helped NOAA determine population levels and/or fishing rates for 20 additional stocks and stock complexes.


Changes in fish population levels between 2004 and 2005:




The Pacific lingcod stock was fully rebuilt three years ahead of schedule;


Six stocks are no longer considered overfished – barndoor skate, bluefish, golden tilefish, widow rockfish, Bering Sea snow crab, and Eastern Bering Sea tanner crab;


Seven stocks whose population levels were unknown in 2004 were determined not to be overfished in 2005 – starry flounder, blackgill rockfish, gopher rockfish, California scorpionfish, kelp greenling, Gulf of Alaska rex sole, and Gulf of Alaska rougheye rockfish;


Three stocks were determined to be overfished due to population declines in 2005 – Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, scup and Pacific ocean perch;


One stock whose population level was unknown in 2004 was determined to be overfished in 2005 – the Caribbean grouper unit 4 complex.


Changes in harvest rates between 2004 and 2005:




Six stocks were no longer subject to overfishing in 2005 – American plaice, witch flounder, golden tilefish, lingcod, shortspine thornyhead, and Northern black rockfish;


Ten stocks whose fishing rates were unknown in 2004 were determined not to be subject to overfishing in 2005 – little skate, winter skate, barndoor skate, thorny skate, clearnose skate, rosette skate, smooth skate, Gulf of Alaska skate, shortraker rockfish, and longnose and big skates;


Four stocks were determined to be subject to overfishing in 2005 – Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, Georges Bank winter flounder, Central Western Pacific yellowfin tuna, and the Caribbean grouper unit 1 complex;


Three stocks whose fishing rates were unknown in 2004 were determined to be subject to overfishing in 2005 – Caribbean grouper unit 4 complex, Caribbean snapper unit 1, and Caribbean parrotfishes;


As of 2005, the North Pacific and Pacific Councils have no stocks subject to overfishing.


When a fish stock is determined to be either overfished or subject to overfishing, the regional fishery management councils must develop a plan to correct the problem. The councils were notified of the new overfished and overfishing determinations for 2005, and have taken corrective action or are scheduled to take action this summer.

Annual Report on Status of Stocks Released


Annual Report on Status of Stocks Released


On August 31, NOAA released the annual report that documents changes in the status of U.S. marine fisheries. Overall, 81% of the stocks and stock complexes with known status are not subject to overfishing, and 72% of the stocks and stock complexes with known status are not overfished. For stocks that transitioned from unknown status to known status, 87% are not subject to overfishing and 78% are not overfished. Highlights from the report include the following:




Pacific whiting has been fully rebuilt. Mid-Atlantic black sea bass is no longer overfished, and overfishing has ended. Lingcod, Pacific Ocean perch, and Gulf of Mexico king mackerel stocks have increased to the point where they are no longer overfished. Gulf of Mexico red drum is no longer subject to overfishing.


Three previously assessed stocks were determined to be overfished. Two of these are Alaska crab stocks for which fishing is not allowed under a current rebuilding program. The third stock is butterfish; rebuilding measures for butterfish are being developed.


Seven stocks or complexes were determined to be subject to overfishing (Atlantic sea scallop, summer flounder, Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack, shortspine thornyhead, North black rockfish, Hawaii bottomfish complex, and large coastal sharks). Appropriate management measures will be implemented to lower the fishing mortality rate for these stocks and complexes.


In 2004, NOAA Fisheries Service approved five fishery management plan amendments to implement final rebuilding plans for a total of 23 stocks in the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Alaska regions.


For a copy of the report, go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/reports.htm.


Annual Report on Status of Stocks Released


On August 31, NOAA released the annual report that documents changes in the status of U.S. marine fisheries. Overall, 81% of the stocks and stock complexes with known status are not subject to overfishing, and 72% of the stocks and stock complexes with known status are not overfished. For stocks that transitioned from unknown status to known status, 87% are not subject to overfishing and 78% are not overfished. Highlights from the report include the following:




Pacific whiting has been fully rebuilt. Mid-Atlantic black sea bass is no longer overfished, and overfishing has ended. Lingcod, Pacific Ocean perch, and Gulf of Mexico king mackerel stocks have increased to the point where they are no longer overfished. Gulf of Mexico red drum is no longer subject to overfishing.


Three previously assessed stocks were determined to be overfished. Two of these are Alaska crab stocks for which fishing is not allowed under a current rebuilding program. The third stock is butterfish; rebuilding measures for butterfish are being developed.


Seven stocks or complexes were determined to be subject to overfishing (Atlantic sea scallop, summer flounder, Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack, shortspine thornyhead, North black rockfish, Hawaii bottomfish complex, and large coastal sharks). Appropriate management measures will be implemented to lower the fishing mortality rate for these stocks and complexes.


In 2004, NOAA Fisheries Service approved five fishery management plan amendments to implement final rebuilding plans for a total of 23 stocks in the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Alaska regions.


For a copy of the report, go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/reports.htm.