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NOAA: Number of U.S. Fish Stocks 'Overfished' at All-Time Low

WASHINGTON - Gulf of Maine haddock is one of six species of domestic fish that federal regulators no longer consider "overfished."  That's according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's "Status of U.S. Fisheries" report, issued annually to Congress.  

The NOAA report concludes that in 2014 the number of domestic fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, or considered too low for a variety of reasons, fell to its lowest level since the federal regulatory agency began tracking stock status in 1997.

The agency attributes the improvement in stocks to continuing preservation efforts by regulators, the fishing industry and other partners.

"This report illustrates that the science-based management process under the Magnuson-Stevens Act is working to end overfishing and rebuild stocks," says Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries, in a statement. "While we have made tremendous progress, we know there’s more work to be done - especially as we continue to document changes to our world’s oceans and ecosystems. We will continue to strive toward sustainable management of our nation’s fisheries in order to preserve our oceans for future generations."
 
In addition to Gulf of Maine haddock, five other species were removed from the "overfishing" list. They include snowy grouper on the southern Atlantic coast; North Atlantic albacore; gag grouper in the South Atlantic; the Jacks complex in the Gulf of Mexico; and, Bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic. A stock is on the overfishing list when the annual catch rate is too high.

In addition, two stocks were no longer listed as "overfished," including gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico, and North Atlantic albacore.  A stock is on the overfished list when the population size is too low, due to fishing or other causes. North Atlantic albacore was was removed from both lists, officials say.