Status of Stocks 2024

NOAA Fisheries is pleased to present the 2024 Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries. This report highlights the work of NOAA Fisheries, the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils, and our other partners. In 2024, the number of stocks on the overfished list decreased significantly, while the number of stocks on the overfishing list increased slightly. There were 10 first-time stock status determinations, and one rebuilt stock. This brings the total number of rebuilt stocks to 51 since 2000.

We continue to implement management measures that end overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and sustain our fisheries for future generations. Sound science, effective enforcement, meaningful partnerships, and public engagement drive our success in managing the most sustainable fisheries in the world.

• Status of Stocks 2024 (PDF, 11 pages)

Phrases to Know

The main concepts related to “overfishing” and “overfished” covered in this report are:

• Maximum sustainable yield (MSY): The largest long-term average catch that can be taken from a stock under prevailing environmental and fishery conditions.
• Overfishing: A stock having a harvest rate higher than the rate that produces its MSY.
• Overfished: A stock having a population size that is too low and that jeopardizes the stock’s ability to produce its MSY.
• Rebuilt: A stock that was previously overfished and abundance is now at the target population size that supports its MSY.

What’s the difference?

Overfishing is typically a result of fishing activities. Allowed to continue unchecked, overfishing can lead to an overfished population. Current management practices—such as annual catch limits and accountability measures— reduce the likelihood of this happening. Overfishing can also be a result of changes in the scientific approaches used to assess stocks and set catch limits. An overfished population is often caused by overfishing, but may also occur with changes in our understanding of the productivity of the stock, especially due to changing environmental conditions. Other factors that can reduce population size include habitat degradation, pollution, climate change, and disease. Even with significantly reduced fishing, these other factors may affect the stock’s ability to rebuild.

Benefits of Sustainable Fisheries Management

Sustainable fisheries support thriving fishing communities, healthy marine ecosystems, and a strong economy. Commercial, recreational, subsistence, and ceremonial fishing provide a valuable food source, important outdoor activities, and cultural significance for the nation. U.S. commercial and recreational fishing provided 1.7 million jobs and generated $321 billion in sales across the broader economy in 2023.

The Year in Review

NOAA Fisheries manages 522 stocks or stock complexes in 45 fishery management plans. At the end of 2024, the overfishing list included 23 stocks, the overfished list included 42 stocks, and we rebuilt one stock. This brings the number of rebuilt stocks to 51 since 2000.

We determine the status of fish stocks and stock complexes through stock assessments and by comparing catch data to an overfishing reference level. Of the 522 stocks and stock complexes, 372 have a known overfishing status (349 not subject to overfishing and 23 subject to overfishing) and 263 have a known overfished status (221 not overfished and 42 overfished). Of the stocks most targeted by fishermen, 87 percent have a known overfishing status and 89 percent have a known overfished status. These stocks are contained in the Fish Stock Sustainability Index.

Ten stocks and stock complexes gained new, favorable status determinations in 2024. These include Atlantic chub mackerel, which is not overfished, and Caribbean coral, sea urchin, and sea cucumber stock complexes, which are not subject to overfishing. Additionally, seven new salmon stocks were added to the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska. Through this action, NOAA Fisheries now manages the drift gillnet and recreational salmon fisheries in the Cook Inlet EEZ for sockeye, coho, Chinook, chum, and pink salmon stocks.

Summary of 2024 Changes

The Science Behind Stock Status

A stock assessment is a scientific analysis of the abundance and composition of a fish stock, as well as the degree of fishing intensity. Stock assessments are subject to regional peer review as part of the process to ensure that we base management decisions on the best scientific information available. In FY 2024, NOAA Fisheries completed 180 stock assessments.

Fishery management plans must specify objective and measurable criteria, called reference points, to determine if a stock is overfished or subject to overfishing. The Councils and NOAA Fisheries use information from stock assessments to calculate reference points and determine whether catch limits have successfully prevented or ended overfishing and whether a stock has become or remains overfished. For many stocks, NOAA Fisheries also compares catch levels to the overfishing limit instead of using a stock assessment to determine if a stock is subject to overfishing. If we use the catch-to-overfishing-limit comparison, we make an annual overfishing determination. If we use a stock assessment, due to timing of the next stock assessment, it may be several years before we are able to determine if catch limits successfully ended overfishing. NOAA Fisheries is constantly improving catch accounting, data collection, and assessment science to expand our understanding of previously assessed stocks and gain insight into unassessed stocks.

Ending Overfishing and Rebuilding Stocks under Effective Laws

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the primary law that governs marine fisheries management in federal waters. Under this law, the United States is an international leader in fisheries management. In 2024, approximately 91 percent of all stocks or complexes did not exceed their annual catch limits. When catch limit overages occur, NOAA Fisheries and the Councils take steps to ensure overages do not continue. Annually monitoring catch levels and working to keep them within established limits, paired with taking corrective measures when they exceed limits, helps reduce the chance of overfishing. This also ensures long-term biological and economic sustainability. This year, new data and updated stock assessments found that some stocks are now subject to overfishing and overfished. For example, stock assessments showed that the harvest rate was too high for Caribbean spiny lobster – Puerto Rico and golden tilefish – Mid-Atlantic coast, so we added these stocks to the overfishing list.

Additionally, a catch overage for blueline tilefish – Southern Atlantic coast resulted in an overfishing listing. A new international stock assessment found sailfish – Western Atlantic is overfished, based on a more conservative overfished threshold. Fisheries managers will develop appropriate stock-specific measures intended to end overfishing immediately and rebuild overfished stocks.

Successes and Challenges in Rebuilding Fisheries

When a stock becomes overfished, a Council or NOAA Fisheries must develop a plan to rebuild the stock to a sustainable target level. Typically, the plan allows fishing to continue at a reduced level so the stock can rebuild to its target level and produce its MSY. This approach keeps the fishing industry working while stocks rebuild.

Forty-eight stocks or stock complexes are currently in rebuilding plans. NOAA Fisheries monitors rebuilding stocks. Through the fishery management process we adjust measures to increase stock abundance to a target level that supports MSY. When a rebuilding stock increases above the overfished threshold, we remove it from the overfished list but it remains under a rebuilding plan until it is fully rebuilt. Many rebuilding plans significantly reduce fishing levels. Other factors—such as shifting oceanographic conditions and new science that changes our understanding of stock biology—may substantially impact rebuilding. Of the 48 stocks currently in rebuilding plans, 10 are no longer overfished but remain in rebuilding plans until they reach their target biomass level.

Despite the complex challenges associated with fishery management, we continually work with our partners to adapt our management responses with innovative solutions using the most updated scientific information available. We are committed to reducing the number of overfished stocks and those subject to overfishing, and to rebuilding stocks to support sustainable fisheries and vibrant coastal economies.

Prized Pacific Bluefin Tuna Rebuilt a Decade Ahead of Schedule

Pacific bluefin tuna was rebuilt this year, a decade ahead of schedule. We accomplished this through the successful international cooperation of scientists and managers as well as the sacrifices and commitment of fishing communities. After Pacific bluefin tuna reached historically low population levels in 2009, NOAA Fisheries worked with international fisheries commissions to adopt measures that significantly reduced catch of juvenile and larger bluefin tuna. This gave the fish time to grow and reproduce, and the population grew much quicker than scientists expected. U.S. fishermen can now look forward to an 80-percent increase in their allowable harvest in 2025, and consumers can expect to see more Pacific bluefin tuna in restaurants and at the marketplace.

More International Successes

In 2024, the international fishing community adopted new comprehensive international management measures to conserve Atlantic tropical tunas and North Atlantic swordfish. Through successful U.S. leadership with member nations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), measures were adopted that reflect the diverse fishing interests from around the world, and the United States retained its historical allocations for bigeye tuna and swordfish. These actions maintain critical access for commercial and recreational fishermen and provide economic value to coastal communities. Another new measure will ensure the health and safety of scientific observers serving aboard fishing vessels operating in ICCAT fisheries.

U.S. leadership also spearheaded recent efforts with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to establish the first-ever binding crew labor standards in an international regional fisheries management organization. Additionally, after years of working with our international partners to address the low population of Central and Western Pacific Ocean striped marlin, the stock has grown and is no longer overfished. An international rebuilding plan, adopted in 2024, will help the stock recover to its long-term sustainable level.

Recreational Fishing Accomplishments

NOAA Fisheries advanced significant achievements in 2024 to boost recreational fisheries initiatives across the nation. Key accomplishments include cooperative research in the California Current to improve understanding of nearshore groundfish ecology, programs in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America that improve angler satisfaction and fishing opportunities, and angler collaboration in the Pacific Islands that increases our knowledge of dolphinfish (mahi mahi) feeding habits. We have also developed new innovative tools to improve recreational management measures in the Greater Atlantic region that will enhance management of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. Through these collaborative efforts, we have strengthened our partnerships with the recreational fishing sector and helped support healthy marine ecosystems.

Percentage of Stocks Not Subject to Overfishing and Not Overfished 2015–2024

Our Commitment to Supporting a Thriving and Resilient Seafood Economy

In response to the President’s Executive Order on Restoring America’s Seafood Competitiveness, NOAA Fisheries is working to develop and promote initiatives that increase the productive harvest of U.S. seafood resources, modernize fisheries science and data systems, and strengthen domestic and global market access and domestic processing capacity. We will continue to build upon our first-ever existing National Seafood Strategy to further develop an America First Seafood Strategy, and update the Seafood Trade Strategy to respond to new global trade dynamics. These actions will help position the United States to remain a global leader in sustainable fisheries management.

In 2023, commercial fishermen harvested more than 8.4 billion pounds of seafood valued at $5.1 billion. In 2023, saltwater angling generated $145.4 billion in sales impacts, $47.1 billion in income impacts, and $78.4 billion in value-added impacts while supporting 694,000 jobs in the marine recreational fishing industry and across the broader economy. Also in 2023, U.S. commercial fisheries and the seafood industry generated $183.4 billion in sales impacts, $47.2 billion in income impacts, and $74 billion in value-added impacts while supporting 1 million full- and part-time jobs.

NOAA Fisheries will continue to work with Congress, the Councils, interstate fisheries commissions, and our state and other international and domestic partners to maintain sustainable fisheries and support a strong economy and thriving fisheries around the nation.

More Information

• Stock Status Determination Criteria and Citations (PDF, 69 pages)
• Stock Status Table (PDF, 49 pages)
• Additional Information (PDF, 5 pages)
• Quarterly Stock Status Updates
• Previous Status of U.S. Fisheries Reports

Rebuilding Trends

To track trends in rebuilding, NOAA Fisheries uses analyses from scientific assessments to plot the fishing mortality rate of a rebuilding stock over time. The stock's population biomass is also plotted to see how it corresponds with changes in fishing mortality. This trends analysis helps illustrate the progress of stocks that can take decades to rebuild. 

2024

Trends Analysis for Fish Stocks in Rebuilding Plans (PDF, 7 pages)

Not Subject to Overfishing

• Biomass Increasing (PDF, 10 pages)
• Biomass Not Increasing (PDF, 13 pages)

Subject to Overfishing

• Biomass Increasing (PDF, 3 pages)
• Biomass Not Increasing (PDF, 4 pages)