[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4519]



[[Page 27977]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 051104293 5344 02; I.D. 050906A]


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, (978) 281-9341, 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 are 
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.
    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 Sec.  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.
[FR Doc. 06-4519 Filed 5-10-06; 3:14 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S