[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76424-76425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31216]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 120201086-2418-02]
RIN 0648-XC394


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 Florida is transferring a 
portion of its 2012 commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York. 
By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised 
commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective December 21, 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),

[[Page 76425]]

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.
    Florida has agreed to transfer 50,000 lb (22,680 kg) of its 2012 
commercial quota to New York. This transfer was prompted by the 
diligent efforts of state officials in New York 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: Florida, 987,894 lb 
(448,101 kg); and New York, 1,121,466 lb (508,688 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 21, 2012.
Emily H. Menashes,
Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31216 Filed 12-21-12; 4:15 pm]
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