1999 

 NATIONAL OVERVIEW 



oped. Some protection of scallops has been achieved by the closure, since December 1994, 

 of portions of Georges Bank to all fishing for the protection of groundfish. Amendment 3 

 to the ASMFC American Lobster FMP, approved in December 1997, introduced eltort 

 control and various other measures aimed at reducing the currently high fishing mortality 

 on lobsters. 



The highly migratory pelagic species (Unit S) are important components of domestic 

 fisheries in the Northeast and Southeast Regions, and for international fisheries elsewhere 

 in the Atlantic Ocean. For the purpose ot summarizing the information, they have been 

 included in the Northeast Region. U.S. RAY is 5.2% of the total RAY for these stocks over 

 the range of their distribution. The western Atlantic bluefin tuna is well below historic 

 population levels. Marlins (blue and white) and sailfish are below as well. Swordfish in the 

 North Atlantic is also below the level that would produce maximum long-term yield. Yel- 

 lowfin tuna, which accounts for 39% of the total RAY for these stocks, is present!)- fully 

 exploited and near its m<iximum long-term yield. Bigeye tuna exploitation has recendy 

 increased, but current yields are not expected to be maintained because they are about 20% 

 above LTPY. 



Southeast Region 



The Southeast Region covers the Gulf of Mexico, the Southeast Atlantic, and the 

 Caribbean Sea. Its important resources are Atlantic sharks, Adantic and Gull ol Mexico 

 coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico reef fish, drum and croaker, men- 

 haden. Southeast Atlantic and Caribbean invertebrates, highly migratory pelagic fishes (see 

 the Northeast Region summary), and nearshore resources. A conservative estimate of the 

 total LTPY of fisheries resources is 1,503,342 t, and virtually all are available to the United 

 States (Tible 6). The Southeast RAY is 1,155,123 t or 77% of the estimated Southeast 

 LTPY. 



Menhaden comprise about 74% of both the U.S. LTPY and U.S. RAY in this region. 

 Menhaden are considered fully utilized in both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, 

 with some growth overfishing occurring in the Atlantic. 



Shrimp led the regions fisheries in value, although they are only 10% of the total 

 Southeast LTPY and RAY. The three major species (brown, white, and pink) are ciMisidered 



Shrimp trawlers. Tarpon 

 Springs, Florida. 



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