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Status of Stocks 2012


Coho salmon was one of six stocks rebuilt in 2012.

Rebuilt—A previously 
overfished stock has increased in abundance to the target level that 
supports its MSY.

6 Rebuilt Stocks in 2012

Alaska Region
Southern Tanner crab – 
Eastern Bering Sea

Northeast Region
Acadian redfish – 
Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank 

Windowpane – 
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic

Yellowtail flounder – 
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic

Northwest Region
Coho salmon – 
Washington Coast: Strait of Juan de Fuca

Southeast Region
Pink shrimp – 
South Atlantic

 

 


Overfishing—A stock with a fishing mortality (harvest) rate too high to produce its maximum sustainable yield (MSY)—the largest long-term average catch that can be taken from a stock under prevailing environmental and fishery conditions. The target level of stock abundance is the population that can produce MSY.

Overfished—A stock with a biomass level depleted to a degree that the stock’s capacity to produce MSY is jeopardized. 

 

 

 

 

May 2, 2013

Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S.
Fisheries

The 2012 Annual Report on the Status of U.S. Fisheries highlights the progress that collectively, NOAA Fisheries, the regional fishery management councils, and our stakeholders have made to end overfishing and rebuild stocks. The report documents additional progress towards long-term economic sustainability of our nation’s fisheries. Recent economic data illustrates that the overall seafood industry and recreational fishing continue to generate significant sales impacts and income impacts while also supporting jobs.

About the Report

This annual report provides a ‘snapshot’ in time of the status of U.S. fisheries at the end of 2012.

Highlighting Continued Success

In 2012, as a result of the science-based management of U.S. fisheries, the status of our nation’s marine fish stocks continues to improve. In general, in 2012 we increased the overall percentage of stocks not listed on the overfishing or overfished lists:

In addition, six stocks were declared rebuilt in 2012—bringing the total number of rebuilt stocks to 32 since 2000. The graphic below illustrates the improvements made in 2012.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, it’s important to remember that sustainability is a process, rather than an end point. This report illustrates that fishery management under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is working to address past overfishing and scientifically assess the status of stocks. 2012 represents the first year that all federal fisheries operated under annual catch limits designed to end and prevent overfishing. In the future, we expect the number of stocks on the overfishing list—now at an all-time low—to decrease further as a result of management under annual catch limits.

To build on our success, we need to ensure the timely collection of data, 
develop more robust and frequent stock assessments, better assess the 
economic consequences of management actions, and improve understanding 
of environmental factors, including climate change, that impact fishery resources.