Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Dealer Reporting Requirements

NMFS defers IVR-reporting requirements for regulated Northeast (NE) multispecies (Atlantic cod, witch flounder, American plaice, yellowtail flounder, haddock, pollock, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, redfish and white hake), Atlantic mackerel, and butterfish. Based on data submitted by dealers and on other available information, the Regional Administrator (RA) has determined that landings of these species are not expected to reach levels that would cause the applicable target exploitation rate specified in the fishery management plan (FMP) for that species to be achieved, resulting in specific management changes. Therefore, federally permitted dealers are not required to report purchases of regulated NE multispecies, Atlantic mackerel, and butterfish through the IVR system until notification terminating the deferral for a given species is published in the Federal Register. Dealers must continue to report purchases of these species on the detailed written reports. Dealers must report, through the IVR system, purchases of species for which IVR reporting requirements have not been deferred: summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Illex squid, and Loligo squid. DATES: Effective November 1, 1998, until notification terminating the deferral for a given species is published in the Federal Register.