Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Readjustment to 2002 Quotas; Commercial Quota Adjustments for Maryland and Virginia

NMFS announces adjustments to the 2002 commercial Atlantic bluefish quota for the States of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia. This action complies with regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Bluefish (FMP), which require that landings in excess of a state's commercial quota be deducted from that state's quota the following year. The FMP also allows two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), to transfer or combine part or all of their annual commercial quota. The Regional Administrator must consider the criteria set forth in Sec. 648.160(f)(1) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations. The public is advised that quota adjustments have been made and is informed of the revised quotas for the affected states.