[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 25138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11837]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 960805216-7098-05; I.D. 041097D]
RIN 0648-AH06


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Technical Amendment 
for the Black Sea Bass Fishery

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

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to correct and clarify a section 
of the regulations implementing gear restrictions in the black sea bass 
fishery, which were implemented as a result of Amendment 9 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea 
Bass Fisheries (FMP).

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Hartley, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 508-281-9226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final rule implementing Amendment 9 to 
the FMP was published on November 15, 1996 (61 FR 58461). Among other 
management measures implemented for the black sea bass fishery, the 
final rule implemented gear restrictions for industry members who fish 
with pot and trap gear. After publication of the final rule, Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) staff and industry 
members contacted NMFS to state that several provisions in the 
regulations implementing the pot and trap restrictions did not 
accurately reflect the measures specified in Amendment 9 and, as 
written, were unworkable.
    The amendment includes a provision that pots and traps used in the 
black sea bass fishery must contain a minimum escape vent of one of the 
following dimensions: 1.125 inches (2.86 cm) by 5.75 inches (14.61 cm); 
or a circular vent 2 inches (5.08 cm) in diameter; or a square vent 
with sides of 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), inside measure. Amendment 9 allows 
that pots and traps constructed of wooden laths may comply with this 
requirement by having one set of laths spaced at least 1.125 inches 
(2.86 cm) apart in the parlor portion of the trap. The regulatory 
language in the final rule did not stipulate that the lath spacing is 
an option that would satisfy the escape vent requirement in wooden 
traps.
    Amendment 9 also contains a requirement that black sea bass pots or 
traps must have a rectangular opening that measures at least 3.0 inches 
(7.62 cm) by 6.0 inches (15.24 cm) covered by a panel affixed with 
degradable fasteners (a ghost panel). The regulatory text describing 
this requirement is confusing and has been reorganized.
    These modifications will make the trap and pot gear requirements 
for the black sea bass fishery consistent with the Council's intent as 
stated in Amendment 9.

Classification

    Because this rule only corrects and clarifies an existing set of 
regulations for which full prior notice and opportunity for comment 
were provided under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), it is unnecessary to provide 
such procedures for this rule. Because this rule imposes no new 
requirements on anyone subject to these regulations and relieves a 
restriction, it is not subject to the 30-day delay in effective date 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
    This rule is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: May 1, 1997.
Nancy Foster,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended 
as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

    1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 648.144, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 648.144  Gear restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) Pot and trap gear restrictions--(1) Gear marking. The owner of 
a vessel issued a black sea bass moratorium permit must mark all black 
sea bass pots or traps with the vessel's USCG documentation number or 
state registration number.
    (2) Escape vents. All black sea bass traps or pots must have an 
escape vent placed in a lower corner of the parlor portion of the pot 
or trap which complies with one of the following minimum sizes: 1.125 
inches (2.86 cm) by 5.75 inches (14.61 cm); or a circular vent 2 inches 
(5.08 cm) in diameter; or a square vent with sides of 1.5 inches (3.81 
cm), inside measure; however, black sea bass traps or pots constructed 
of wooden laths may instead have an escape vent constructed by leaving 
a space of at least 1.125 inches (2.86 cm) between one set of laths in 
the parlor portion of the trap. The dimensions for escape vents and 
lath spacing may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in 
Sec. 648.140.
    (3) Ghost panel. Black sea bass traps or pots must contain a ghost 
panel affixed to the trap or pot with degradable fasteners and hinges. 
The opening to be covered by the ghost panel must measure at least 3.0 
inches (7.62 cm) by 6.0 inches (15.24 cm). The ghost panel must be 
affixed to the pot or trap with hinges and fasteners made of one of the 
following degradable materials:
    (i) Untreated hemp, jute, or cotton string of 3/16 inches (4.8 mm) 
diameter or smaller; or
    (ii) Magnesium alloy, timed float releases (pop-up devices) or 
similar magnesium alloy fasteners; or
    (iii) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire of 0.094 inches (2.4 mm) 
diameter or smaller.
[FR Doc. 97-11837 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
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