[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19190]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 061109296-7009-02]
RIN 0648-XJ49


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 North Carolina is 
transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York from 
its 2008 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces 
the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective August 18, 2008, through December 31, 2008.

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.
    North Carolina has agreed to transfer 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) of its 
2008 commercial quota to New York. 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 2008 are: New York, 
847,057 lb (384,218 kg); and North Carolina, 2,365,973 lb (1,073,187 
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: August 13, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19190 Filed 8-18-08; 8:45 am]
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