[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23057]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 140214138-4482-02]
RIN 0648-XD511


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 Maine is transferring a 
portion of its 2014 commercial bluefish quota to the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces 
the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective September 24, 2014, through December 31, 2014.

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 in the Federal Register 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, Greater 
Atlantic 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.
    Maine has agreed to transfer 45,000 lb (20,412 kg) of its 2014 
commercial quota to Massachusetts. This transfer was prompted by the 
diligent efforts of state officials in Massachusetts 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 2014 are: Maine, 4,861 lb 
(2,205 kg); and Massachusetts, 545,970 lb (247,648 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.

Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23057 Filed 9-24-14; 4:15 pm]
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