06-4519. 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 Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) of commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina from its 2006 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES:

Effective May 10, 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.

Virginia has agreed to transfer 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) of its 2006 commercial quota to North Carolina to cover unexpectedly high landings in North Carolina. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in § 648.160(f)(1) have been met. The revised quotas for calendar year 2006 are: North Carolina, 2,652,869 lb (1,203,321 kg); and Virginia, 845,915 lb (383,700 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: May 9, 2006.

Alan D. Risenhoover,

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