[Federal Register: May 8, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 89)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 25415-25416] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08my98-6] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 980318066-8066-01; I.D. 022698A] Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 25; Correction AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule; correction. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rule removes regulatory language inadvertently added, clarifies the raised footrope requirement for Small Mesh Area 1 & 2, and corrects an [[Page 25416]] amendatory instruction to the regulatory text of the final rule implementing Framework Adjustment 25 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery (FMP) published Tuesday, March 31, 1998, and corrected on Wednesday, April 22, 1998. DATES: Effective May 1, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Tokarcik, 978-281-9326. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This document makes three corrections to the regulations implementing Framework Adjustment 25 to the FMP which was published on March 31, 1998 (63 FR 15326) and corrected on April 22, 1998 (63 FR 19850). Section 648.80(a)(8) states that vessels fishing with mesh smaller than the minimum mesh size are subject to the raised footrope requirement specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(8)(iv). As with the finfish excluder device required in the shrimp fishery, the intent of the raised footrope gear modification is to reduce bycatch of regulated multispecies when vessels are fishing with nets of mesh less than the minimum mesh size. Because vessels fishing under the provisions of the Small Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery Exemption Area, which is inclusive of Small Mesh Area 1 & 2, must properly secure a finfish excluder device in their trawl nets, this rule clarifies and corrects the intent of the Small Mesh Area 1 & 2 provision by allowing small mesh vessels to employ either a raised footrope or excluder device in their trawl gear when fishing in these two small mesh areas, depending on the species of fish targeted. In Sec. 648.81, paragraph (g)(1)(i) describes the Gulf of Maine Inshore Closure Area I. However, this paragraph also inadvertently refers to Inshore Closure Area III, which is described in Sec. 648.81(g)(1)(iii). This correction document removes the reference to Inshore Closure Area III from Sec. 648.81(g)(l)(i). This document corrects an amendatory instruction contained in the final rule document. Amendatory instruction 6 stated that in Sec. 648.86, paragraph (b)(1)(ii) is revised. However, NMFS only intended to revise the introductory text to Sec. 648.86(b)(1)(ii). Therefore, this documents revises the amendatory instruction to state that only the introductory text to Sec. 648.86(b)(1)(ii) is revised. Correction Accordingly, in the publication on March 31, 1998, of the final regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 25 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP (I.D. 022698A) and corrected on April 22, 1998 (63 FR 19850), which was the subject of FR Doc. 98-8288, is corrected as follows: 1. On page 15330, in the second column, under Sec. 648.80(a)(8)(i), ninth line down, insert the phrase ``or (a)(3)(ii)'' after the words ``paragraph (a)(8)(iv).'' 2. On page 15331, in the second column, under Sec. 648.81(g)(1)(i), fifth line, remove ``apply to Inshore Closure Area III''. 3. On page 15332, in the second column, amendatory instruction 6 to Sec. 648.86, third line, correct ``(b)(1)(ii)'' to read ``(b)(1)(ii) introductory text''. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 4, 1998. Rolland A. Schmitten, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-12253 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F