[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 58969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23605]



[[Page 58969]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 120201086-2418-02]
RIN 0648-XC235


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; 
Quota Transfer

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is 
transferring a portion of its 2012 commercial bluefish quota to the 
State of New Hampshire. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and 
announces the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective September 25, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carly Bari, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the 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.  648.162.
    The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery 
Management Plan, which was published on July 26, 2000 (65 FR 45844), 
provided a mechanism for bluefish quota to be transferred from one 
state to another. 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.  648.162(e). The Regional Administrator is required to consider 
the criteria in Sec.  648.162(e)(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 
2012 commercial quota to New Hampshire. This transfer was prompted by 
the diligent efforts of state officials in New Hampshire not to exceed 
the commercial bluefish quota. The Regional Administrator has 
determined that the criteria set forth in Sec.  648.162(e)(1) have been 
met. The revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2012 are: North 
Carolina, 3,207,827 lb (1,445,046 kg); and New Hampshire, 142,765 lb 
(64,757 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: September 20, 2012.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23605 Filed 9-24-12; 8:45 am]
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