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Home » 2013 Issues » 78 FR (09/04/2013) » 2013-21466. Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer

  2013-21466. Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

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

    ACTION:

    Temporary rule; quota transfer.

    SUMMARY:

    NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2013 commercial bluefish quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

    DATES:

    Effective August 29, 2013, through December 31, 2013.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Carly Bari, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9224.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Regulations governing the 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 § 648.162.

    The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan, which was published on July 26, 2000 (65 FR 45844), provided a mechanism for bluefish quota to be transferred from one state to another. 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 § 648.162(e). The Regional Start Printed Page 54400Administrator is required to consider the criteria in § 648.162(e)(1) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations.

    North Carolina has agreed to transfer 200,000 lb (90,718 kg) of its 2013 commercial quota to Massachusetts. This transfer was prompted by the diligent efforts of state officials in Massachusetts not to exceed the commercial bluefish quota. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in § 648.162(e)(1) have been met. The revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2013 are: North Carolina, 2,709,829 lb (1,229,158 kg); and Massachusetts, 809,606 lb (367,231 kg).

    Classification

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

    Start Authority

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

    End Authority Start Signature

    Dated: August 29, 2013.

    James P. Burgess,

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

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2013-21466 Filed 8-29-13; 4:15 pm]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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Document Information

Effective Date:
8/29/2013
Published:
09/04/2013
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary rule; quota transfer.
Document Number:
2013-21466
Dates:
Effective August 29, 2013, through December 31, 2013.
Pages:
54399-54400 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 130104009-3416-02
RINs:
0648-XC81
PDF File:
2013-21466.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» 2013 and 2014 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications Environmental Assessment
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 648