[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 54549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25466]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 070717342-7713-02]
RIN 0648-XS19


Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic 
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; 2010 Fishing Quotas for Atlantic 
Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs

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

ACTION:  Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  NMFS is announcing that the quotas for the Atlantic surfclam 
and ocean quahog fisheries for 2010 remain status quo. Regulations 
governing these fisheries require NMFS to notify the public in the 
Federal Register of the allowable harvest levels for Atlantic surfclams 
and ocean quahogs from the Exclusive Economic Zone if the previous 
year's quota specifications remain unchanged.

ADDRESSES:  Written inquiries may be sent to: Regional Administrator, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office, 55 Great 
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Anna Macan, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9177; fax (978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery management plan for the Atlantic 
surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries requires that NMFS issue 
notification in the Federal Register of the upcoming year's quota, even 
in cases where the quota remains unchanged from the previous year. At 
its June 2009 meeting, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
voted that no action be taken to change the quota specifications for 
Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs for the 2010 fishing year (January 
1 through December 31, 2010), and recommended maintaining the 2008 
quota levels of 3.4 million bu (181 million L) for Atlantic surfclams, 
5.333 million bu (284 million L) for ocean quahogs, and 100,000 Maine 
bu (3.524 million L) for Maine ocean quahogs, as announced in the 
Federal Register on January 4, 2008 (73 FR 820).

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

    Dated: October 16, 2009.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-25466 Filed 10-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S