Fisheries of the Northeastern United States: Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer,

[Federal Register: January 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 2)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 411-412]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03ja08-9]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 061109296-7009-02]

RIN 0648-XE43

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason quota transfer.

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the State of Florida is transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York from its 2007 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective December 28, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Bryant, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9244, fax (978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Florida through Maine. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in Sec. 648.160.

Two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), can transfer or combine bluefish commercial quota under Sec. 648.160(f). The Regional Administrator is required to consider the criteria set forth in Sec. 648.160(f)(1) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations.

Florida has agreed to transfer 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) of its 2007 commercial quota to New York. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in Sec. 648.160(f)(1) have been met. The revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2007 are: New York, 1,334,278 lb (605,218 kg); and Florida, 453,488 lb (205,699 kg).

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

[[Page 412]]

Dated: December 28, 2007. Alan D. Risenhoover Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 07-6289 Filed 12-28-07; 2:21 pm]

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