[Federal Register: November 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 213)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 62416]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no07-8]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 061109296-7009-02]
RIN 0648-XD65

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

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason quota transfer.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is 
transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York from 
its 2007 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces 
the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

DATES: Effective November 2, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Bryant, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9244, fax (978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Atlantic 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 is 
described in Sec.  648.160.
    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.  
648.160(f). The Regional Administrator is required to consider the 
criteria set forth in Sec.  648.160(f)(1) in the evaluation of requests 
for quota transfers or combinations.
    Virginia has agreed to transfer 200,000 lb (90,718 kg) of its 2007 
commercial quota to New York. The Regional Administrator has determined 
that the criteria set forth in Sec.  648.160(f)(1) have been met. The 
revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2007 are: New York, 1,234,278 
lb (559,859 kg); and Virginia, 668,660 lb (303,299 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: October 30, 2007.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-21717 Filed 11-2-07; 8:45 am]

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