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By daybreak
Published: July 3, 2008
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On June 30, 2008, NOAA announced that seven stocks have been removed from overfishing lists and no new stocks added in their annual report to Congress on the status of fishing stocks. The report tracks both population levels and harvest rates for species caught in federal waters between three and 200 miles off U.S. coasts. This year’s report indicates that seven stocks have been removed from the overfishing list, four stocks have increased population levels and are no longer overfished, and three stocks are now listed as fully “rebuilt.” The annual status of U.S. fisheries report is developed using the best available scientific information available and the status determination criteria specified in fishery management plans.

NOAA Fisheries Service and the eight regional fishery management councils took significant steps toward ending “overfishing” —when too many fish in a species are caught in a year —and rebuilding stocks in 2007.

NOAA recently proposed a system of catch limits and targets for each stock to prevent overfishing. These annual catch limits are the amount of fish allowed to be caught in a year, and are required by a 2007 amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Additionally, the act calls for measures to ensure these limits are followed and do not exceed the scientific recommendations made by the regional fishery management councils’ scientific committees.

The proposed guidelines may be viewed online. Public comments on the proposed revisions will be accepted through September 8, 2008.

source: NOAA Fish News

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