[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 245 (Friday, December 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 77534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30205]



[[Page 77534]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 071212833-8179-02]
RIN 0648-XM22


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 Maine 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 December 16, 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.
    Maine has agreed to transfer 45,000 lb (20,412 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, 1,202,057 
lb (545,244 kg); and Maine, 6,418 lb (2,911 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: December 16, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30205 Filed 12-16-08; 4:15 pm]
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