Printer-friendlyBlack Sea Bass
2008 Quota Distribution Plan
Proposed Quota Determination
The 2008 commercial quota allocation provided by the United States Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service to the State of New York is 141,803 pounds. DEC's proposed quota distribution plan for black sea bass in 2008 is as follows:
| Dates | Quota | Initial Trip Limit | % Distribution | Trigger | Trip Limit after Trigger | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | Jan. - March | 28,360 lbs | 500 lbs | 20% | 75% | 125 |
| Period 2 | April - July | 63,812 lbs | see below | 45% | see below | see below |
| April 1 - April 30 | 200 lbs | 75% | 60 | |||
| May 1 - July 31 | 400 lbs | 75% | 150 | |||
| Period 3 | August - September | 28,360 lbs | 200 lbs | 20% | 75% | 60 |
| Period 4 | October - December | 21,271 lbs | 400 lbs | 15% | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 141,803 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.
- 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 lower the trip limit. When period landings reach the stated trigger, trip limits will be lowered to avoid over-harvest.
- 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.
- Any unused allocation from Periods 2 and 3 will roll over to the next Period. Any Period 1 under- or over-harvest will be added/subtracted from the Period 4 quota. The Fishery Management Plan does not allow for one year's unused quota to be rolled over to the next year.
- The final 2008 quota allocation is subject to change by adjustment 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.
