[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 27, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5848]



[[Page 66082]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 061109296-7009-02]
RIN 0648-XE07


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the State of Delaware is transferring 
commercial bluefish quota to the State of Rhode Island from its 2007 
quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the 
revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective November 21, 2007, through December 31, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Bryant, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9244, 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 is 
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.
    Delaware has agreed to transfer 80,000 lb (36,287 kg) of its 2007 
commercial quota to Rhode Island. The Regional Administrator has 
determined that the criteria set forth in Sec.  648.160(f)(1) have been 
met. The revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2007 are: Rhode 
Island, 663,790 lb (301,090 kg); and Delaware, 81,055 lb (36,766 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: November 21, 2007.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-5848 Filed 11-21-07; 2:53 pm]
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