Bill > A4199

Introduced Session

This bill would amend P.L.2019, c.503, which requires the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee, to establish an individual transferable quota (ITQ) system for the menhaden purse seine fishery. Under the current law, each ITQ is to be allocated based upon a qualified vessel's rounded percentage share of the average of its menhaden landings in 2014 through 2018, inclusive, except that no qualified vessel would be allocated an ITQ in an amount less than 200,000 pounds. This bill would amend the law to provide that the ITQ would be based upon a qualified vessel's rounded percentage share of the average of its menhaden landings in 2011 through 2018, inclusive. This bill would provide that an ITQ is based upon eight years of landings, rather than only five. The bill also provides that if it is enacted into law while that year's menhaden purse seine fishery is open and all qualified vessels have harvested less than their individual allocation for the fishing season as calculated pursuant to pursuant to P.L.2019, c.503, then each qualified vessel would be subject to their individual ITQ established pursuant to P.L.2019, c.503 for the remainder of the fishing season open when the bill is enacted into law.

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Gerry Scharfenberger (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture Committee (on 06/01/2020)