06-9994. Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfers

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Temporary rule; inseason quota transfer.

SUMMARY:

NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is transferring 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of commercial bluefish quota to the State of Rhode Island from its 2006 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES:

Effective December 29, 2006 through December 31, 2006, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Douglas Potts, Fishery Management Specialist, [phone], fax [phone].

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 are described in § 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 § 648.160(f). The Regional Administrator is required to consider the criteria set forth in § 648.160(f)(1) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations.

Massachusetts has agreed to transfer 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of its 2006 commercial quota to Rhode Island. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in § 648.160(f)(1) have been met for each of these transfers. The revised quotas for calendar year 2006 are: Rhode Island, 622,101 lb (282,180 kg) and Massachusetts, 514,823 lb (233,520 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 28, 2006.

Alan D. Risenhoover,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.