[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 250 (Friday, December 29, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31516]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 625

[I.D. 122695B]


Summer Flounder Fishery

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

ACTION: Notification of commercial quota transfer.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the State of New Jersey is transferring 
20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of commercial summer flounder quota to the State 
of New York. NMFS adjusted the quotas and announces the revised 
commercial quota for each state involved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 26, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucy Helvenston, 508-281-9347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implementing Amendment 2 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Summer Flounder Fishery (FMP) are found 
at 50 CFR part 625. The regulations require annual specification of a 
commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from 
North Carolina through Maine. The process to set the annual commercial 
quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in 
Sec. 625.20.
    The commercial quota for summer flounder for the 1995 calendar year 
was set equal to 14,690,407 lb (6,663,569 kg), and the allocations to 
each state were published February 16, 1995 (60 FR 8958). At that time, 
New Jersey was allocated a quota of 2,456,969 (1,114,462 kg) and New 
York was allocated a quota of 1,123,374 lb (509,554 kg). On August 30, 
1995, the State of North Carolina transferred 7,229 lb (3,279 kg) to 
the State of New Jersey, and the revised quota for New Jersey was set 
equal to 2,464,198 lb (1,117,741 kg) (60 FR 45107). On November 17, 
1995, the State of Maryland transferred 50,000 lb of its commercial 
quota to the State of New York, and the revised quota for New York was 
set equal to 1,173,374 lb (532,233 kg) (60 FR 57685). On December 15, 
1995, the State of Maryland made two further transfers to the State of 
New York that were published as one notification (60 FR 64349). The 
first transfer was for 20,000 lb (9,072 kg), and the second was for 
30,000 lb (13,608 kg), and the revised quota for New York was set equal 
to 1,223,374 lb (554,913 kg).
    The final rule implementing Amendment 5 to the FMP was published 
December 17, 1993 (58 FR 65936), and allows two or more states, under 
mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the Director, Northeast 
Region, NMFS (Regional Director) to transfer or combine summer flounder 
commercial quota. The Regional Director is required to consider the 
criteria set forth in Sec. 625.20(f)(1), in the evaluation of requests 
for quota transfers or combinations.
    New Jersey has agreed to transfer 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of 
commercial quota to New York. The Regional Director has determined that 
the criteria set forth in Sec. 625.20(f)(1) have been met, and 
publishes this notification of quota transfers. The revised quotas for 
the calendar year 1995 are: New Jersey, 2,444,198 lb (1,108,670 kg); 
and New York, 1,243,374 lb (563,985 kg).
    This action does not alter any of the conclusions reached in the 
environmental impact statement prepared for Amendment 2 to the FMP 
regarding the effects of summer flounder fishing activity on the human 
environment. Amendment 2 established procedures for setting an annual 
coastwide commercial quota for summer flounder and a formula for 
determining commercial quotas for each state. The quota transfer 
provision was established by Amendment 5 to the FMP and the 
environmental assessment prepared for Amendment 5 found that the action 
had no significant impact on the environment. Under section 
6.02b.3(b)(I)(aa) of NOAA Administrative Order 216-6, this action is 
categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare additional 
environmental analyses. This is a routine administrative action that 
reallocates commercial quota within the scope of previously published 
environmental analyses.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR part 625 and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: December 26, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-31516 Filed 12-26-95; 4:12 pm]
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