Federal Register: December 28, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 248)
DOCID: fr28de07-49 FR Doc E7-25271
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN ID: RIN 0648-XE33
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr28de07-49
ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Fisheries of the Northeast Region; Overfished Determination of Summer Flounder
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that summer flounder is overfished. NMFS notified the MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) of its determination by letter. The Council is required to take action within 1 year following notification by NMFS that a stock is overfished or existing remedial action taken to end overfishing or rebuild an overfished stock has not resulted in adequate progress.
SUMMARY:
Northeastern United States fisheries—; Summer flounder; overfished determination,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Pursuant to sections 304(e)(2) and (e)(7) of
the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2) and (e)(7), and implementing
regulations at 50 CFR 600.310(e)(2), NMFS sends written notification to
fishery management councils when overfishing is occurring, a stock is
approaching overfishing, a stock is overfished, a stock is approaching
an overfished condition, or existing action taken to end previously
identified overfishing or rebuilding a previously identified overfished
stock or stock complex has not resulted in adequate progress. On
December 3, 2007, the NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator sent a
letter notifying the Council that summer flounder is overfished. Summer
flounder is currently under a rebuilding plan. The Council must
therefore ensure that overfishing is ended and that the stock rebuilds
on schedule. A copy of the notification letter sent to the Council for
the aforementioned determination is available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm .
Dated: December 20, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E725271 Filed 122707; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Debra Lambert, telephone: (301) 713- 2341.