[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12743]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 041221358-5065-02; I.D. 062205A]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Adjustment of the Quarter III Quota 
Allocation for Loligo Squid

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; quota adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that it has adjusted the commercial quota 
allocation for the Quarter III fishery for Loligo squid in the 
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The regulations for the Atlantic 
mackerel, squid and butterfish fisheries require this adjustment to be 
made if landings in the Quarter I fishery exceed the commercial quota 
allocated to that period. This action is necessary to prevent the 
fishery from exceeding the annual commercial quota and to allow for 
effective management of this stock.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours, July 1, 2005, through 2400 hours, 
September 30, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Dolin, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
978-281-9259, Fax 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Loligo squid 
fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require annual 
specifications for maximum sustainable yield, initial optimum yield, 
allowable biological catch, domestic annual harvest (DAH), domestic 
annual processing, joint venture processing and total allowable levels 
of foreign fishing for the species managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. The procedures for 
setting the annual initial specifications are described in Sec.  
648.21.
    The final rule for the 2005 annual specifications was published on 
March 21, 2005 (70 FR 13406). After allocating 255.1 mt (562,399 lb) 
for research set-aside, the remaining 2005 annual quota for Loligo 
squid of 16,744.9 mt (36,916,191 lb) was allocated to quarters, as 
shown below.

          Table. 1. Initial Loligo Squid Quarterly Allocations*
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              Quarter                 Percent   Metric Tons     Pounds
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                  I (Jan-Mar)            33.23      5,564.3   12,267,184
                  II(Apr-Jun)            17.61      2,948.8    6,500,992
                  III(Jul-Sep)            17.3      2,896.9    6,386,572
                  IV(Oct-Dec)            31.86      5,334.9   11,761,443
                  Total                    100     16,744.9   36,916,191
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*Quarterly allocations after 255.1 mt research set-aside deduction.

    Section 648.21 requires NMFS to determine if landings in Quarter I 
result in a quota overage, and to deduct any overage from the quota 
allocation for Quarter III. The Quarter I quota allocation was 5,564.3 
mt (12,267,184 lb). Based on dealer reports and other available 
information, NMFS has determined that landings in Quarter I were 
7,659.8 mt (16,887,113 lb). The Quarter III allocation has been reduced 
by 2,095.5 mt (4,619,929 lb), resulting in an adjusted allocation of 
801.3 mt (1,766,643 lb).

Classification

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

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

    Dated: June 22, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12743 Filed 6-23-05; 2:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S