NMFS issues this final rule to retain, for 1997, the 1996 recreational management measures for the scup fishery implemented under the regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries (FMP). This rule does not change the measures implemented under Amendment 8 to the FMP, that is, a 7-inch (17.78-cm) minimum fish size, no possession limit, and no closed season for the recreational scup fishery. The intent of this document is to comply with implementing regulations for the scup fishery that require NMFS to publish measures for the upcoming fishing year that will prevent overfishing of the resource.