Summer Scup

2008 Quota Distribution Plan

Proposed Quota Determination

The 2008 summer scup quota allocation provided by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to the State of New York is 224,566 pounds. DEC's quota distribution plan for scup in 2008 is as follows:

2008 Summer Scup Commercial Quota Distribution
	Dates	Quota	Initial Trip Limit	Trigger	Trip Limit after Trigger
Period 1	May - June	89,826 lbs	70 lbs	75%	30 lbs
Period 2	July - August	76,353 lbs	70 lbs	75%	30 lbs
Period 3	September - October	58,387 lbs	70 lbs	75%	30 lbs
Total		224,566 lbs

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.
A percent of the period's assigned quota share is set as a trigger to lower the trip limit. When period landings reach the stated trigger, trip limits will be lowered to avoid over-harvest.
Any bimonthly period's unused allocation will roll over to the next bimonthly period. Currently, the Fishery Management Plan does not allow for one year's unused quota to be rolled over to the next year.
As per regulations, holders of a summer flounder fixed gear permit (pound net/trap net) will be exempt from any closures. In the event of a closure, a separate trip limit will be established for the fixed gear fishery.
If there is an 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.
The final 2008 quota allocation is subject to change by adjustments made by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The quota distribution plan would take effect on January 1, 2008 and would remain in effect until January 1, 2009 or until determined otherwise, whichever occurs first. 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 a closure.