[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5764]



[[Page 11160]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 971015246-7293-02; I.D. 100897D]
RIN 0648-AK44


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, 
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 1998 Final Specifications; 
Correction

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

ACTION: Correction to regulatory text.

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SUMMARY: This document contains a correction that is related to the 
final specifications for the 1998 summer flounder, scup, and black sea 
bass fisheries, which were published on Thursday, December 18, 1997. A 
revision was inadvertently not made to a portion of the regulatory text 
to indicate that the 1998 final specifications include a provision to 
increase the minimum mesh size threshold for black sea bass. This 
document revises 50 CFR 648.145(c) to correct this oversight. The dates 
for the final rule remain unchanged.

DATES: Effective January 1, 1998. The amendments to Secs. 648.24(u)(1), 
648.200(a), 648.143(a), and Sec. 648.144(a)(1)(i) became effective on 
January 1, 1998. The final specifications for the 1998 summer flounder, 
scup, and black sea bass fisheries and notifications of commercial 
harvest are effective January 1, 1998, through December 31, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina L. Spallone, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, (978) 281-92210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The final specifications for the 1998 summer flounder, scup, and 
black sea bass fisheries, which were published December 18, 1997 (62 FR 
66304), contained a provision to increase the catch threshold level 
that would trigger the minimum mesh size requirement for black sea bass 
from 100 to 1,000 lb (45.4 to 453.6 kg). The language was revised in 
the regulatory text of the final specifications for 50 CFR 648.14(u)(1) 
and 648.144(a)(1)(i). However, the language in 50 CFR 648.145(c) was 
inadvertently not revised.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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. 648.145, the first sentence of paragraph (c) is revised 
to read as follows:


Sec. 648.145  Possession limit.

* * * * *
    (c) Owners or operators of otter trawl vessels issued a moratorium 
permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(6) and fishing with, or possessing on board, 
nets or pieces of net that do not meet the minimum mesh requirements 
and that are not stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.144(a)(4), may not 
retain 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) or more of black sea bass. * * *

    Dated: February 27, 1998.
David L. Evans,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5764 Filed 3-5-98; 8:45 am]
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