29 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Stock Status
Description: Summary of stock assessment results for each assessed HMS species as of December 2023.
Indicator family:
Contributor(s): Jennifer Cudney, Heather Baertlein, Jackie Wilson, George Silva
Affiliations: NEFSC
29.1 Introduction to Indicator
This section summarizes Highly Migratory Species Stock Status as it is presented in the most recent Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report (2024-2025). Stock assessments for Atlantic HMS are completed through one of three processes. Most Atlantic HMS stocks that are managed internationally under the authority of the MSA and ATCA (tunas, billfish, swordfish, some pelagic sharks) are assessed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas’ Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (ICCAT SCRS). Sharks managed domestically under the MSA are assessed through the SouthEast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process. Sharks may also be assessed through an independent stock assessment is completed by a third party and approved for use in management by NOAA Fisheries (“external assessments”). Most HMS assessments are completed through either the ICCAT or SEDAR process. Separate tables summarize thresholds and stock status for all species or stocks assessed through these pathways (and for which the results have been accepted for use in management), and provide information on the timing of upcoming assessments.
29.2 Key Results and Visualizations
The domestic and international status of 28 species or stocks are described in the most recent HMS SAFE report.
Based on the thresholds identifying whether a stock is considered “overfished” in the HMS FMP, 13 species or stocks are not considered overfished, 10 species or stocks are considered overfished, and 5 species or stocks have unknown status.
Based on the thresholds identifying whether a stock is experiencing “overfishing” in the HMS FMP, overfishing is not occurring (or not likely occurring) for 19 species or stocks, overfishing is occurring for 5 species or stocks, and the status of 4 species or stocks is unknown.
#> [1] "This indicator is under review."#> [1] "This indicator is under review."29.3 Indicator statistics
Spatial scale: Species-specific; depends on the extent of the managed stock. Can be regional (e.g., Gulf of America or Atlantic blacktip shark) or could be basin-wide (e.g., North Atlantic swordfish, Western Atlantic bluefin)
Temporal scale: Stock status as of December 2025. Status is stock-specific with regards to temporal nature of thresholds, estimated rebuilding times, and data analyzed for stock assessments.
Synthesis Theme:
29.4 Implications
This summarizes information in the HMS SAFE Report, which itself is intended to provide a high-level summary of stock status information. Specific implications of stock status trends through time are available in the latest assessments.
29.5 Get the data
Point of contact: Jennifer Cudney (jennifer.cudney@noaa.gov)
ecodata name: ecodata::hms_stock_status
Variable definitions
Current Relative Biomass level = finalized biomass estimate provided in latest stock assessments
Bmsy = biomass at maximum sustainable yield
Threshold = the threshold identified in respective assessments to indicate status (e.g., overfished, not overfished, overfishing is occurring, overfishing is not occurring)
Stock status,
Current Relative Fishing Mortality Rate = finalized mortality rates provided in latest stock assessment
Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold = reference point identified in latest stock assessment
Stock = the name of the stock assessed
Last Assessment Year = the year in which the latest assessment was finalized
Upcoming Assessment = Year that the next assessment is anticipated (if scheduled)
Notes = additional information. Shark Stock = the name of the stock assessed
Indicator Category:
29.7 Accessibility and Constraints
None; this information is publicly available
tech-doc link https://noaa-edab.github.io/tech-doc/hms_stock_status.html