02-1528. 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.

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, [phone], fax [phone], e-mail [e-mail].

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 § 648.14(a)(92) was incorrectly written. It inadvertently referenced the recreational possession limit of 25 black sea bass at § 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 § 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 § 648.144(a), rather than the recreational possession limit at § 648.145(a). This document corrects this error.

§ 648.14 [Corrected]

On page 66357, in § 648.14(a)(92), sixth line down, remove “§ 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 § 648.144(a).”

Dated: January 15, 2002.

Rebecca Lent,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.