NOAA Fisheries has proposed new conservation measures for the 2008 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries to prevent overfishing and rebuild these vital fisheries. Recreational landings for 2007 Summer Flounder are estimated to have been 9.30 million lb, exceeding the 2007 limit by approximately 38 percent. Summer Flounder recreational overfishing is thought to have occurred in almost every coastal state. The 2008 coastwide harvest limit is 6,215,800 lb, a 9.2-percent decrease from the 2007 limit. Given the 2007 overages and reduction in available harvest for 2008, landings must be reduced by 33.2-percent coastwide from the 2007 levels to ensure that the 2008 harvest limit is not exceeded. The 2008 scup recreational harvest limit is set at 1,830,920 lb, roughly a 33-percent decrease from the 2007 recreational limit. This reduction is due to the requirements of the scup rebuilding plan, and to improve the overall condition of the fishery that is currently overfished. Based on 2007 landings of Black Sea Bass, no reduction in landings is necessary to achieve the 2008 target of 2.11 million lb.

NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on these proposals. Please send comments, identified by RIN 0648-AV41, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov, by mail or hand delivery to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope: ``Comments on 2008 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Measures.'' Comments can also be sent by fax to (978) 281-9135.

For additional information, please contact Michael Ruccio, Fishery Policy Analyst; telephone (978) 281-9104.

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