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

Federal Register: December 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 245)

Rules and Regulations

Page 77534

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

DOCID:fr19de08-14

Page 77534

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648

Docket No. 071212833-8179-02

RIN 0648-XM22

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 Maine is transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York from its 2008 quota.

By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective December 16, 2008 through December 31, 2008.

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.

Maine has agreed to transfer 45,000 lb (20,412 kg) of its 2008 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 2008 are: New York, 1,202,057 lb (545,244 kg); and Maine, 6,418 lb (2,911 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.

Dated: December 16, 2008.

Emily H. Menashes,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine

Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. E8-30205 Filed 12-16-08; 4:15 pm

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