Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; Adjustment to 2005 Tilefish Commercial Quota and Incidental Permit Trip Limit

NMFS announces that the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the quota for the tilefish Part-time permit category has been exceeded for fishing year (FY) 2004, warranting an adjustment of the Part-time permit category quota for FY 2005. Further, the Regional Administrator has determined that the tilefish Incidental permit category has exceeded the 5 percent of total allowable landings (TAL) allowed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Tilefish Fishery (FMP) and warrants a reduction in the annual trip limit for FY 2005. This action complies with the FMP and is intended to continue the rebuilding program in the FMP by taking into account previous overages of the tilefish quota.