[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 199 (Monday, October 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 62495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25285]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC197


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; 
2013 Tilefish Fishing Quota Specification

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the overall annual tilefish quota for the 
2013 fishing year (November 1, 2012-October 31, 2013) will remain the 
same as it was in fishing year 2012. NMFS is required to notify the 
public of the overall annual quota levels for tilefish if the previous 
year's quota specifications remain unchanged. This document also 
provides notice of tilefish specifications recently adopted by the Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The tilefish regulations at Sec.  648.292 
specify that NMFS notify the public in the Federal Register of the 
overall annual quota levels for tilefish if the previous year's quota 
specifications remain unchanged. The tilefish total allowable landings 
(TAL) for the 2013 fishing year will remain the same as the fishing 
year 2012 TAL of 1.995 million lb (904,917 kg). Five percent of the TAL 
(99,750 lb (45,246 kg)) is allocated to incidental catch, leaving 
1,895,250 lb (859,671 kg) allocated to Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) 
holders.
    This document also announces tilefish specifications recently 
adopted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). At 
the April 2012 Council meeting, the Council adopted specifications for 
an acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limit (ACL), and 
annual catch target (ACT). These specifications are consistent with the 
overall quota and rebuilding schedule that was established in Amendment 
1 to the Golden Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. The adopted 
specifications also comply with the Council's annual catch limits and 
accountability measures omnibus amendment (76 FR 60606; September 29, 
2011).

            Table 1--2013 Tilefish Quotas and Specifications
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                 Specification                     Pounds     Kilograms
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ABC...........................................    2,013,000      913,081
ACL...........................................    2,013,000      913,081
ACT...........................................    2,013,000      913,081
TAL...........................................    1,995,000      904,917
Incidental quota..............................       99,750       42,246
IFQ quota.....................................    1,895,250      859,671
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    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 10, 2012.
Emily H. Menashes,
Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25285 Filed 10-12-12; 8:45 am]
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