Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; Notice that Vendor Will Provide Year 2005 Cage Tags

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of vendor to provide year 2005 cage tags.

SUMMARY:

NMFS informs surfclam and ocean quahog allocation owners that they will be required to purchase their year 2005 cage tags from a vendor. The intent of this notice is to comply with regulations for the surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries and to promote efficient distribution of cage tags.

ADDRESSES:

Written inquiries may be sent to Brian R. Hooker, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian R. Hooker, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9220; fax 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Federal Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries regulations at 50 CFR 648.75(b) authorize the Regional Administrator of the Northeast Region, NMFS, to specify in the Federal Register a vendor from whom cage tags, required under the fishery management plan, shall be purchased. Notice is hereby given that National Band and Tag Company of Newport, Kentucky, is the authorized vendor of cage tags required for the year 2005 Federal surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. Detailed instructions for purchasing these cage tags will be provided in a letter to allocation owners in these fisheries within the next several weeks.