1999 

 NATIONAL OVERVIEW 



1991, a limited entry and harvest guideline regulatory regime has been implemented, which 

 has allowed some recovery in the fishery. The lobster total RAY of 109 t is 49% of LTPY. 



Nearshore Resources 



In this report, nearshore fishery resources are those coastal and estuarine species un- 

 der the control ot coastal states and lor which NMFS does not have direct responsibiliry. 

 Many ot these species provide the basis lor locally important commercial and recreational 

 fisheries. They vary widely in species divcrsirv' and abundance. Many are highly prized 

 gamefish. Others are small fishes used l"or bait, lood, and industrial products. Those ol 

 greatest interest include invertebrate species like crabs, shrimps, abalones, clams, scallops, 

 and oysters. 



Because it is difficult to assess the condition of many of the Nations nearshore re- 

 sources, a high percentage are of unknown status. No firm estimates exist for LTPY or CPY. 

 Thus, the RAY of 312,700 t (Tible 1) has been used to indicate minimum amounts for 

 CPY and LTPY. The RAY itself may have been underestimated due to incomplete landings 

 information, and it excludes landings of large-scale nearshore fisheries like anchovy, sar- 

 dine, herring, and invertebrate resources, which are reported in other units. 



Because the composition of nearshore resources is diverse and management is spread 

 out among the manv coastal states and other local authorities, a comprehensive treatment 

 of them has not been attempted in this report. Unit 21 presents information on the more 

 significant species and their general status. 



Razor clam shell. Pacific 

 Coast. 



Marine Mammals 



The Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments of 1994 (Public Law 103-238) 

 require the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Interior to develop stock assess- 

 ment reports (SAR's) for all marine mammal stocks that are found within U.S. waters. 

 NMFS is responsible for assessing and managing stocks of whales, dolphins, porpoises, 

 seals, sea lions, and fur seals. USFWS has authority over stocks of Pacific walrus, Alaska 

 polar bear, Alaska and Pacific Coast sea otter, and West Indian manatee. 



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