Stock status of important coastal fisheries in North Carolina, 1998

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Species and Stock Status
Viable Stressed
Recovering		 Stressed
Declining		 Depressed Unknown Marine Fisheries Comments
Atlantic Croaker   XXXXXXX       Concern with lack of fish in sounds and uncontrolled catches in ocean, however ocean fishery appears healthy.
Atlantic Menhaden XXXXXXX Very high spawning stock; reduced fishing effort
Black Sea Bass            
N. of Hatteras XXXXXXX Overfished based on ASMFC assessment
S. of Hatteras     XXXXXXX     Overfished based on SAFMC assessment
Bluefish XXXXXXX Developing Amendment 1 to ASMFC Plan
Catfishes (A)         XXXXXXX No current sampling programs
Southern Flounder XXXXXXX Catch per trip has increased rapidly. Pressure on fisheries is tremendous. No sign of decline. Effort caps are needed.
Summer Flounder   XXXXXXX       Population consists of mostly young fish, but older fish are increasing. Spawning stock biomass at record levels.
Kingfishes (A) XXXXXXX Growing ocean sinknet fishery south of Hatteras, recreational landings fairly stable.
King Mackerel XXXXXXX         The SSB and TAC continues to increase based on the 1998 South Atlantic assessment.
Spanish Mackerel XXXXXXX The SSB and TAC continues to increase based on the 1998 South Atlantic assessment.
Striped Mullet         XXXXXXX Catch trends have remained consistent over the long term although effort has increased.
Red Drum XXXXXXX Low recruitment of juvenile fish to the adult stock.
Reef Fish (B)     XXXXXXX     Of the 73 species (including black sea bass) in the SAFMC unit, 17 species are considered overfished.
River Herring (A)
Albemarle Sound       XXXXXXX   Reduced number of age classes in harvest, low juvenile production, fewer number of repeat spawners.
Other Areas XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Scup       XXXXXXX   Stock size near record-low levels. Spawning stock biomass declining.
American Shad XXXXXXX No current sampling program.
Hickory Shad         XXXXXXX Landings and abundance increasing.
Sharks XXXXXXX Increases in fishing pressure over the past ten years have prompted State and federal fishery management measures.
Dogfish Sharks     XXXXXXX     Exponential increases in landings since 1991 and decreases in fish size are areas of concern.
Spot XXXXXXX Fluctuating landings not unusual for short-lived species.
Spotted Seatrout XXXXXXX         Stock status heavily dependent upon environmental conditions.
Striped Bass
Albemarle-Roanoke XXXXXXX         Viable
Atlantic Ocean XXXXXXX Viable
Other areas         XXXXXXX No sampling program.
Weakfish XXXXXXX Recovery underway under ASMFC Fishery Management Plan
White Perch         XXXXXXX No sampling program.
Hard Clam XXXXXXX Although landings data exist on clams, more data are required for stock status
Oyster       XXXXXXX   Long term decline recently intensified by parasitic mortalilites. Majority of state landings from southern sections.
Bay Scallop XXXXXXX Annual Stock
Blue Crab         XXXXXXX DMF is currently preparing a FMP for the blue crab fishery. This plan must be adopted by the MFC on or before January 1, 1999.
Shrimp(C) XXXXXXX Annual Stock.
Totals 10
(30.5)		 4
(12%)		 4
(12%)		 5
(15%)		 10
(30.5%)		  
(A) Catfishes includes 4 species, Sea Mullet includes 3 species, and there are two species of river herrings. (B)The reef fish group includes about 75 species, while there are more than 40 species of sharks. Within these groups, individual species range from healthy to depressed. The status indicated is for the group as a whole. (C)Shrimp consists of 3 species - brown, pink, and white.