Skip to main content

Northeast US Ecosystem Indicator Catalog

28 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

Affiliations: NEFSC

28.1 Introduction to Indicator

This section summarizes Highly Migratory Species Stock Status as it is presented in the latest (2023) Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report. 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, and swordfish) are assessed by the ICCAT SCRS. Given their migratory nature and because of their interactions with ICCAT fisheries, some pelagic sharks are also assessed by the ICCAT SCRS. Other shark stocks that do not interact with ICCAT fisheries are assessed via the SouthEast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process. SEDAR assessments are completed for domestically managed HMS shark stocks. 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”). Unless otherwise indicated, most assessments presented herein are done through either the ICCAT or SEDAR process. Illustrations of Kobe plots describing domestic and international thresholds are provided.

28.2 Key Results and Visualizations

The domestic and international status of 28 species or stocks are described in the most recent HMS SAFE report. International and domestic HMS stock status may not be identical, based on different thresholds and status determination criteria used at the domestic and international levels (see Figures).

Overfishing and Non Overfishing Stock Status: , overfishing is either not likely to be occurring or not occurring for 1 and 17 species/stocks, respectively. Overfishing is occurring for 6 species/stocks. Overfishing is unknown for 4 stocks.

Overfished and Non-Overfished Stock Status: 5 species/stocks are either unspecified or unknown, 12 species/stocks are not overfished, and 11 species/stocks are considered overfished.

#> $p
#> 
#> $unknown
#> # A tibble: 1 × 3
#> # Groups:   spp [1]
#>   spp                      F.Fmsy B.Bmsy
#>   <chr>                     <dbl>  <dbl>
#> 1 Western Atlantic bluefin   0.53     NA

28.3 Indicator statistics

Spatial scale: Species-specific; depends on the extent of the managed stock. Can be regional (e.g., Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic blacktip shark) or could be basin-wide (e.g., North Atlantic swordfish, Western Atlantic bluefin)

Temporal scale: Stock status is stock specific with regards to temporal nature of thresholds

Synthesis Theme:

28.4 Implications

This section in the HMS SAFE Report is intended to summarize stock status information only. Specific implications of stock status trends through time may be available in the latest assessments.

28.5 Get the data

Point of contact:

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 overfished vs. overfishing International Stock Status, Domestic Stock Status, Years to Rebuild = estimate if provided in assessments Rebuilding Start Date (End Date) = estimate if provided in assessments. Current Relative Fishing Mortality Rate = finalized mortality rates provided in latest stock assessment Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold = reference point identified in latest stock assessment International Stock Status, Domestic Stock Status. 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 Last Assessment Year = the year the latest assessment was finalized Last Assessment Type = unless otherwise indicated, this identifies the type of SEDAR assessment used (typically “Benchmark”, “Standard”, or “Update”). This is subject to change as SEDAR adjusts their assessment types. Upcoming Assessment = year of upcoming assessment, if scheduled. Upcoming Assessment Type = unless otherwise indicated this identifies the type of SEDAR assessment used. Notes = Relevant information concerning the domestic assessments.

Indicator Category:

28.6 Public Availability

Source data are publicly available.

28.7 Accessibility and Constraints

Information is publicly available in the most recent Atlantic HMS Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report. Found here.

tech-doc link https://noaa-edab.github.io/tech-doc/hms_stock_status.html