Four fish stocks came off the overfishing list, while six stocks were added to the overfishing list, according to a new report on US fishery stocks released Tuesday NOAA Fisheries.

The Annual Report to Congress on the Status of US Fisheriessaid there were no changes to the list of overfished stocks in 2016, and additional stocks -- barndoor skate in Georges Bank/Southern New England and albacore in the North Atlantic -- were rebuilt in 2016.

At the end of 2016, the overfishing list included 30 stocks and the overfished list included 38 stocks. The number of stocks rebuilt since 2000 increased to 41.

NOAA Fisheries tracks 474 stocks or stock complexes in 46 fishery management plans (FMPs). Each year, assessments of various fish stocks and stock complexes are conducted to determine their status.

As required by the MSA management framework, the councils are developing management measures to end overfishing and rebuild all stocks added to the overfishing and overfished lists.

Removed from the overfishing list in 2016:

  • Chinook salmon -- Columbia River Basin: Upper River Summer
  • Chinook salmon -- Washington Coast: Willapa Bay Fall Natural
  • Chinook salmon -- Washington Coast: Grays Harbor
  • Fall Coho salmon -- Washington Coast: Hoh

Added to the overfishing list in 2016:

  • Triggerfishes and Filefishes Complex -- Puerto Rico
  • Caribbean spiny lobster -- Puerto Rico
  • Wrasses Complex -- Puerto Rico
  • Blue king crab -- Pribilof Islands
  • Coho salmon -- Puget Sound: Hood Canal
  • Tilefish -- Southern Atlantic Coast

A stock is on the overfishing list when the catch rate is too high. A stock is on the overfished list when the population size of a stock is too low, whether because of fishing or other causes, such as environmental changes.

“These reports show that the US is on the right track when it comes to sustainably managing our fisheries,” Samuel Rauch, acting assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Rebuilding and keeping stocks at sustainable levels will help us address the growing challenge of increasing our nation’s seafood supply and keep us competitive in a global marketplace.”

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