Bluefish 2009 Quota Distribution Plan
The 2009 quota allocation provided by the United States Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service to the State of New York is 1,010,533 pounds. DEC's quota distribution plan for bluefish in 2009 is as follows:
| Dates | Quota (lbs) | Initial Trip Limit (lbs) | % Distri- bution | Trigger | Trip Limit after Trigger (lbs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | January - April | 30,316 | 200 | 3% | none | N/A |
| Period 2 | May - June | 252,633 | 1,000 | 25% | 75% | 200 |
| Period 3 | July - August | 404,213 | 1,200 | 40% | 75% | 350 |
| Period 4 | September - October | 222,318 | 1,000 | 22% | 75% |
200 |
| Period 5 | November -December | 101,053 | 200 | 10% | 50% | 100 |
| Total | 1,010,533 |
The principles governing this draft determination are as follows:
- Trip limits will be utilized to spread quota allocation over each period and to avoid closures if possible.
- Initial period trip limits will be set at modest levels. A percent of the period's assigned quota share is set as a trigger to indicate the need to reduce fishing effect and remain within the period quota. When period landings reach the stated trigger, trip limits will be lowered to prevent over-harvest.
- Any period's unused allocation will roll over to the next period. Currently, the Fishery Management Plan does not allow for one year's unused quota to be rolled over to the next year.
- If there is a year-end over-harvest that results in a deduction in the state's quota share for the following year, the deduction will be taken proportionately from each period for which the assigned quota was exceeded.
- Period 4 (September - December) has been split into two periods - Period 4 (Sept - Oct) and Period 5 (Nov - Dec). This is to provide bluefish quota in November and December.
- DEC may adjust this quota distribution plan if the level of harvest is different from what was projected to ensure maximum utilization of the bluefish resource and prevent the state allocation from being surpassed.
- The final 2009 quota allocation is subject to change by adjustments made by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The quota distribution plan will take effect on January 1, 2009 and will remain in effect until January 1, 2010 or until determined otherwise. The purpose of this distribution is to fully utilize the available quota for the maximum benefit to New York's fishery and to minimize the likelihood of closures.
