Stock status of important coastal fisheries in North Carolina, 1999

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Species and Stock Status
Viable Recovering Concern Overfished Unknown Marine Fisheries Comments
Atlantic Croaker     XXXXXXX     Concern with lack of fish in sounds and uncontrolled catches in ocean, however ocean fishery appears viable.
Atlantic Menhaden XXXXXXX Very high spawning stock; continued poor recruitment; reduced fishing effort.
Black Sea Bass            
N. of Hatteras XXXXXXX Overfished based on ASMFC assessment.
S. of Hatteras     XXXXXXX     South-Overfished based on SAFMC assessment; new size and bag limits should address concerns.
Bluefish XXXXXXX ASMFC/MAFMC plan developed.Biomass models infer reduced fishing mortality should result in stabilization of the stock.
Catfishes (A)         XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Dolphin XXXXXXX SAFMC developing FMP.
American Eel         XXXXXXX ASMFC developing FMP. No directed sampling program.
Southern Flounder XXXXXXX Fishing pressure on stock is tremendous. Stock comprised primarily of young fish. Fisheries are dependent on recruitment.
Summer Flounder   XXXXXXX       Population consists of mostly young fish, but older fish are increasing. Spawning stock biomass at record levels
Gag Grouper XXXXXXX Stock considered overfished by SAFMC. New size and bag limits should address concern.
Kingfishes (A)         XXXXXXX Growing ocean sinknet fishery south of Hatteras, recreational landings fairly stable.
King Mackerel XXXXXXX The SSB and TAC continue to increase based on 1999 South Atlantic assessment.
Spanish Mackerel XXXXXXX         The SSB and TAC continue to increase based on 1999 South Atlantic assessment.
Monkfish XXXXXXX FMP developed by NE/MAFMC - 10 year recovery period.
Striped Mullet     XXXXXXX     Landings trends have remained consistent over the long term although effort has increased.
Red Drum XXXXXXX Low recruitment of juvenile stock to adult stock. North Carolina MFC FMP being developed.
Reef Fish (B)     XXXXXXX     Of the 73 species (including black sea bass) in the SAFMC unit, 17 are considered overfished
River Herring (A)
Albemarle Sound       XXXXXXX   Reduced number of age classes in harvest, low juvenile production, fewer number of repeat spawners.
Other Areas XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Species and Stock Status
Viable Recovering Concern Overfished Unknown Marine Fisheries Comments
Scup       XXXXXXX   Stock size near record-low levels. Spawning stock biomass declining.
American Shad XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Hickory Shad         XXXXXXX Landings and abundance increasing.
Sharks XXXXXXX Increases in fishing pressure over the past eleven years prompted State and federal fishery management measures.
Dogfish Sharks       XXXXXXX   FMP developed for federal waters by MA/NEFMC - 5 year recovery period; ASMFC plan under development for state waters.
Spot XXXXXXX Fluctuating landings not unusual for short-lived species.
Spotted Seatrout XXXXXXX         ASMFC plan developed. Stock status heavily dependent upon environmental conditions.
Striped Bass
Albemarle-Roanoke XXXXXXX         Viable
Atlantic Ocean XXXXXXX Viable
Other areas         XXXXXXX No sampling program.
Atlantic Sturgeon XXXXXXX ASMFC is responsible for managing this species and considers the stocks to be depleted along the Atlantic coast. Landings have been low since 1960.
Tautog       XXXXXXX   ASMFC coastal assessment based on data through 1995 determined tautog overfished and at low abundance throughout their range.
Weakfish XXXXXXX Strongly recovering under ASMFC FMP.
White Perch         XXXXXXX No sampling program.
Hard Clam XXXXXXX Although landings data exist on clams, more data are required for stock status. North Carolina MFC FMP being developed.
Eastern Oyster       XXXXXXX   Long term decline recently intensified by parasitic mortalities. North Carolina MFC FMP being developed.
Bay Scallop XXXXXXX Annual Stock. Abundances may be greatly affected by environmental conditions.
Blue Crab     XXXXXXX     North Carolina MFC FMP developed. Effort management strategies being developed by regional stakeholders
Shrimp(C) XXXXXXX Annual Stock. Abundances may be greatly affected by environmental conditions.
Totals 10 3 6 11 9  

(A) Catfishes includes 4 species, Sea Mullet includes 3 species, and there are two species of river herrings. (B)The reef fish group includes about 75 species, while there are more than 40 species of sharks. Within these groups, individual species range from healthy to depressed. The status indicated is for the group as a whole. (C)Shrimp consists of 3 species - brown, pink, and white.