[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 250 (Thursday, December 30, 2010)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 82295-82296] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2010-32951] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 100204079-0199-02] RIN 0648-XA084 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina from its 2010 quota. By this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas and announces the revised commercial quotas for Virginia and North Carolina. DATES: Effective December 27, 2010 through December 31, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Heil, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9257. 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 250,000 lb (113,398 kg) of its 2010 commercial quota to North Carolina. 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 2010 are: Virginia, 963,280 lb (436,937 kg); and North Carolina, 3,524,441 lb (1,528,860 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. [[Page 82296]] Dated: December 27, 2010. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010-32951 Filed 12-27-10; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P