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 are described in § 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 § 648.160(f). The Regional Administrator is required to consider the criteria set forth in § 648.160(f)(1) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations.

Virginia has agreed to transfer 300,000 lb (136,078 kg) of its 2006 commercial quota to North Carolina. Maine has agreed to transfer 52,000 lb (23,587 kg) of its 2006 commercial quota to North Carolina. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in § 648.160(f)(1) have been met for eachof these transfers. The revised quotas for calendar year 2006 are: North Carolina, 3,204,869 lb (1,453,704 kg); Virginia, 420,915 lb (190,924 kg); and Maine, 1,230 lb (558 kg).

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.