[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1528]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 011109274-1301-02; I.D. 102501B]
RIN 0648-AP06


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, 
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 2002 Specifications; Correction

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

ACTION: Final rule, final 2002 specifications, and preliminary 
commercial quota adjustment; correction.

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SUMMARY: On December 26, 2001, NMFS published final specifications for 
the 2002 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries and made 
preliminary adjustments to the 2002 commercial quotas for these 
fisheries. The preamble to the final rule clearly indicated that the 
minimum mesh threshold catch level for black sea bass is established at 
500 lb (226.8 kg) from January through March, and to 100 lb (45.3 kg) 
from April through December. However, the regulation to implement this 
change was written incorrectly. The intent of this action is to correct 
the portion of the regulations that implements the minimum mesh 
threshold catch limit for black sea bass.

DATES: Effective February 25, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Pearson, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, (978)281-9279, fax (978)281-9135, e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 20, 2001 (66 FR 58097) NMFS published proposed 
specifications for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass 
fisheries for the 2002 fishing year. The final specifications were 
published on December 26, 2001 (66 FR 66348). Both the proposed and 
final specifications addressed reduction of the threshold black sea 
bass catch level that triggers the minimum mesh-size requirement from 
1,000 lb (453.6 kg) to 500 lb (226.8 kg) for Quarter 1 (Jan. through 
March), and to 100 lb (45.3 kg) for Quarters 2 through 4 (April through 
December). However, in both the proposed and final rules, the 
regulation at Sec.  648.14(a)(92) was incorrectly written. It 
inadvertently referenced the recreational possession limit of 25 black 
sea bass at Sec.  648.145(a), rather than the minimum mesh threshold 
catch level of 500 lb (226.8 kg) or 100 lb (45.3 kg) described at Sec.  
648.144(a). Section 648.14(a)(2) should have referenced the threshold 
black sea bass catch level approved by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council at Sec.  648.144(a), rather than the recreational 
possession limit at Sec.  648.145(a). This document corrects this 
error.

Sec.  648.14 [Corrected]

    On page 66357, in Sec.  648.14(a)(92), sixth line down, remove 
``Sec.  648.145(a)'' and add, in its place, ``648.144(a)(1)(i) (i.e., 
500 lb (226.8 kg) from January 1 through March 31, or 100 lb (45.4 kg) 
from April 1 through December 31), unless the vessel meets the gear 
restrictions of Sec.  648.144(a).''

    Dated: January 15, 2002.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1528 Filed 1-22-02; 8:45 am]
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