2005 NCDMF Stock Status Report



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Stock status of important coastal fisheries in North Carolina, 2005
Click on a species name to get a more detailed report on its status.
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2005 Stock Status Report Cover Letter | 2005 Stock Status Report News Release
Status definitions can be found here. Glossary of fisheries terms can be found here.
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Species and Stock Status

Viable Recovering Concern Overfished Unknown Comments

Bass, Black Sea

N. of Hatteras Based on the NEFSC survey, black sea bass north of Cape Hatteras are no longer overfished.

S. of Hatteras Overfished based on SAFMC assessment.

Bass, Striped

Albemarle-Roanoke A new management plan was approved in May 2004 to manage a recovered stock.

Atlantic Ocean ASMFC is currently managing under Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. Addendum I to Amendment 6 is in the public comment stage of implementation, and addresses the issue of striped bass discards in all sectors of the striped bass fishery.

Central/Southern Stocks are much lower than historical levels. Despite stocking efforts, there are few mature fish on the spawning grounds. Analysis of data collected on the spawning grounds indicates that the stock is being overfished. A new management plan was approved in May 2004.

Bluefish ASMFC/MAFMC FMP. An ASMFC peer reviewed stock assessment (2005) concluded the Atlantic stock of bluefish is not experiencing overfishing, but remains in an overfished state.

Catfishes (A) Independent and dependent sampling began March 2004 to fulfill data/research needs for up coming FMP.

Croaker, Atlantic Population in the mid-Atlantic region is currently not overfished and overfishing is not occurring on the spawning stock biomass based on the ASMFC assessment. The ocean fisheries appear viable and there has been a recent expansion of the length distribution from inside waters.

Dolphin/Wahoo SAFMC plan approved in 2004.

Drum, Red Current regulations are designed to stop overfishing allowing for increased juvenile recruitment to the adult population and subsequent stock recovery.

Eel, American The current status is unknown, ASMFC is planning the completion of a benchmark stock assessment by November 2005.

Flounder, Southern Stock is overfished and overfishing is still occurring based on the 2004 stock assessment. A North Carolina FMP was approved and management measures being implemented in 2005.

Flounder, Summer Improvements in age class structure, spawning stock biomass, and fishing mortality have occurred since the early 1990s. However, overfishing is occurring.

Grouper, Gag Assessment indicates recovery goal has been met.

Herring, River (A)

Albemarle Sound River Herring FMP approved by the MFC in February 2000. FMP is being updated and scheduled for completion by March 2006. Most recent stock assessment completed May 2005, reports increased mortality rates, decreased recruitment and reduced spawning stock biomass. Chowan River pound net harvest allocation (200,000 lbs.) has not been reached since 2001.

Other Areas No current sampling program.

Kingfishes (A) A North Carolina FMP will begin in 2005.

Mackerel, King Based on the 2003 stock assessment update the South Atlantic king mackerel stock is considered healthy and not overfished. Concern over estimates of Atlantic and Gulf stock mixing rates in south Florida and addition of up to date aging data has delayed the 2004 full stock assessment.

Mackerel, Spanish Based on the most recent stock assessment, the spawning stock biomass is above target and fishing mortality is below target. The South Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock is considered healthy and not overfished.

Menhaden, Atlantic Based on 2003 ASMFC stock assessment F is slightly above target and fecundity is well above target.

Monkfish FMP developed by NE/MAFMC-10 year rebuilding period.

Mullet, Striped The stock is not overfished. Recruitment has been high in recent years, but the age structure of the stock leans heavily towards younger age classes. Historically, the commercial fishery has sustained landings similar to current levels.

Perch, White Independent and dependent sampling began March 2004 to fulfill data/research needs for up coming FMP

Perch, Yellow Independent and dependent sampling began March 2004 to fulfill data/research needs for up coming FMP

Reef Fish (B) Of the 73 species (including black sea bass) in the SAFMC unit, 17 are considered overfished.

Species and Stock Status

Viable Recovering Concern Overfished Unknown Comments

Scup Assessment indicates scup no longer overfished; survey data indicate strong recruitment and some rebuilding of age structure. However, stock status, with respect to overfishing, cannot currently be evaluated due to unknown estimates of discard mortality.

Shad, American Landings and juvenile abundance decreased in 2004. ASMFC Shad and River Herring FMP is in place and a coastwide stock assessment is currently being conducted. DMF is collecting fishery dependent and independent data.

Shad, Hickory Commercial landings increased in 2004 and are the second-highest reported since 1972. The DMF has not conducted any assessment work since 1993.

Sharks The 2002 large coastal shark stock assessment indicates the two primary shark species in the North Carolina shark fishery (blacktip and sandbar) are not overfished and the large coastal complex as a whole has improved.

Spiny Dogfish MA/NEFMC plan for federal waters and ASMFC plan for state waters developed. Female spawning stock biomass below rebuilding target. Historically low survey indicies for pup production since 1997.

Spot Fluctuating landings not unusual for short-lived species.

Spotted Seatrout Stock status heavily dependent upon environmental conditions. ASMFC FMP developed (1984), NC FMP scheduled (2007).

Sturgeon, Atlantic ASMFC is responsible for managing this species and considers the stocks to be depleted along the Atlantic coast. Coastwide prohibition on possession.

Tautog Current ASMFC coastwide assessment considers tautog overfished.

Weakfish
Most recent ASMFC stock assessment indicated a depleted stock below the biomass threshold. An addendum is being developed to determine what management measures may be necessary to rebuild stock.

Shellfish and Crustaceans

Clam, Hard Although landings data exist on clams, more data are required for stock status. NC FMP approved 2001.

Oyster, Eastern Concern status due to high mortality from Dermo infections, evidence of increased oyster habitat loss, low catch-per-unit-effort, and reduced spatfall in the northern area. NC FMP approved 2001.

Scallop, Bay Predation from cownose rays is believed to be the cause of low landings

Crab, Blue Blue crabs are North Carolina’s most valuable commercial fishery and rank second in pounds landed. 2004 hard crab landings declined following a two-year increase in 2002-2003. Peeler/soft crab landings rebounded to late 1990s levels. Reduced landings of hard blue crabs for 2000-2002 and 2004, following record-high landings observed during 1996 -1999, have caused concern.

Shrimp(C) Annual Stock. Abundances may be greatly affected by environmental conditions.

Totals 12 6 8 8 6

Change Symbols Stock status improved since last report Stock status downgraded since last report

(A) Catfishes includes 5 species, Kingfishes (Sea Mullet) includes 3 species, and there are two species of river herring. (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 Viable to Overfished. The status indicated is for the group as a whole. (C)Shrimp consists of 3 species - brown, pink, and white.

Species and Stock	Status
	Viable	Recovering	Concern	Overfished	Unknown	Comments
Bass, Black Sea
N. of Hatteras						Based on the NEFSC survey, black sea bass north of Cape Hatteras are no longer overfished.
S. of Hatteras						Overfished based on SAFMC assessment.
Bass, Striped
Albemarle-Roanoke						A new management plan was approved in May 2004 to manage a recovered stock.
Atlantic Ocean						ASMFC is currently managing under Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. Addendum I to Amendment 6 is in the public comment stage of implementation, and addresses the issue of striped bass discards in all sectors of the striped bass fishery.
Central/Southern						Stocks are much lower than historical levels. Despite stocking efforts, there are few mature fish on the spawning grounds. Analysis of data collected on the spawning grounds indicates that the stock is being overfished. A new management plan was approved in May 2004.
Bluefish						ASMFC/MAFMC FMP. An ASMFC peer reviewed stock assessment (2005) concluded the Atlantic stock of bluefish is not experiencing overfishing, but remains in an overfished state.
Catfishes (A)						Independent and dependent sampling began March 2004 to fulfill data/research needs for up coming FMP.
Croaker, Atlantic						Population in the mid-Atlantic region is currently not overfished and overfishing is not occurring on the spawning stock biomass based on the ASMFC assessment. The ocean fisheries appear viable and there has been a recent expansion of the length distribution from inside waters.
Dolphin/Wahoo						SAFMC plan approved in 2004.
Drum, Red						Current regulations are designed to stop overfishing allowing for increased juvenile recruitment to the adult population and subsequent stock recovery.
Eel, American						The current status is unknown, ASMFC is planning the completion of a benchmark stock assessment by November 2005.
Flounder, Southern						Stock is overfished and overfishing is still occurring based on the 2004 stock assessment. A North Carolina FMP was approved and management measures being implemented in 2005.
Flounder, Summer						Improvements in age class structure, spawning stock biomass, and fishing mortality have occurred since the early 1990s. However, overfishing is occurring.
Grouper, Gag						Assessment indicates recovery goal has been met.
Herring, River (A)
Albemarle Sound						River Herring FMP approved by the MFC in February 2000. FMP is being updated and scheduled for completion by March 2006. Most recent stock assessment completed May 2005, reports increased mortality rates, decreased recruitment and reduced spawning stock biomass. Chowan River pound net harvest allocation (200,000 lbs.) has not been reached since 2001.
Other Areas						No current sampling program.
Kingfishes (A)						A North Carolina FMP will begin in 2005.
Mackerel, King						Based on the 2003 stock assessment update the South Atlantic king mackerel stock is considered healthy and not overfished. Concern over estimates of Atlantic and Gulf stock mixing rates in south Florida and addition of up to date aging data has delayed the 2004 full stock assessment.
Mackerel, Spanish						Based on the most recent stock assessment, the spawning stock biomass is above target and fishing mortality is below target. The South Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock is considered healthy and not overfished.
Menhaden, Atlantic						Based on 2003 ASMFC stock assessment F is slightly above target and fecundity is well above target.
Monkfish						FMP developed by NE/MAFMC-10 year rebuilding period.
Mullet, Striped						The stock is not overfished. Recruitment has been high in recent years, but the age structure of the stock leans heavily towards younger age classes. Historically, the commercial fishery has sustained landings similar to current levels.
Perch, White						Independent and dependent sampling began March 2004 to fulfill data/research needs for up coming FMP
Perch, Yellow						Independent and dependent sampling began March 2004 to fulfill data/research needs for up coming FMP
Reef Fish (B)						Of the 73 species (including black sea bass) in the SAFMC unit, 17 are considered overfished.
Species and Stock	Status
	Viable	Recovering	Concern	Overfished	Unknown	Comments
Scup						Assessment indicates scup no longer overfished; survey data indicate strong recruitment and some rebuilding of age structure. However, stock status, with respect to overfishing, cannot currently be evaluated due to unknown estimates of discard mortality.
Shad, American						Landings and juvenile abundance decreased in 2004. ASMFC Shad and River Herring FMP is in place and a coastwide stock assessment is currently being conducted. DMF is collecting fishery dependent and independent data.
Shad, Hickory						Commercial landings increased in 2004 and are the second-highest reported since 1972. The DMF has not conducted any assessment work since 1993.
Sharks						The 2002 large coastal shark stock assessment indicates the two primary shark species in the North Carolina shark fishery (blacktip and sandbar) are not overfished and the large coastal complex as a whole has improved.
Spiny Dogfish						MA/NEFMC plan for federal waters and ASMFC plan for state waters developed. Female spawning stock biomass below rebuilding target. Historically low survey indicies for pup production since 1997.
Spot						Fluctuating landings not unusual for short-lived species.
Spotted Seatrout						Stock status heavily dependent upon environmental conditions. ASMFC FMP developed (1984), NC FMP scheduled (2007).
Sturgeon, Atlantic						ASMFC is responsible for managing this species and considers the stocks to be depleted along the Atlantic coast. Coastwide prohibition on possession.
Tautog						Current ASMFC coastwide assessment considers tautog overfished.
Weakfish						Most recent ASMFC stock assessment indicated a depleted stock below the biomass threshold. An addendum is being developed to determine what management measures may be necessary to rebuild stock.
Shellfish and Crustaceans
Clam, Hard						Although landings data exist on clams, more data are required for stock status. NC FMP approved 2001.
Oyster, Eastern						Concern status due to high mortality from Dermo infections, evidence of increased oyster habitat loss, low catch-per-unit-effort, and reduced spatfall in the northern area. NC FMP approved 2001.
Scallop, Bay						Predation from cownose rays is believed to be the cause of low landings
Crab, Blue						Blue crabs are North Carolina’s most valuable commercial fishery and rank second in pounds landed. 2004 hard crab landings declined following a two-year increase in 2002-2003. Peeler/soft crab landings rebounded to late 1990s levels. Reduced landings of hard blue crabs for 2000-2002 and 2004, following record-high landings observed during 1996 -1999, have caused concern.
Shrimp(C)						Annual Stock. Abundances may be greatly affected by environmental conditions.
Totals	12	6	8	8	6

Change Symbols		Stock status improved since last report		Stock status downgraded since last report