# Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Amendment 8
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 1998-03-04 · Effective 1998-04-03 · 63 FR 10561
## Document
- **Document number:** 98-5476
- **Category:** catch-limit
- **Region:** south atlantic
- **Federal Register citation:** 63 FR 10561
- **Publication date:** 1998-03-04
- **Effective date:** 1998-04-03
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. 970606131-8033-02
## Abstract

NMFS issues this final rule to implement the approved measures in Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). These measures revise the earned income requirement for a commercial vessel permit for king or Spanish mackerel, establish a moratorium on the issuance of commercial vessel permits for king mackerel, extend the management area for cobia to include the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the states of Virginia through New York, specify allowable gear in the fisheries for coastal migratory pelagic resources, allow the retention of up to five cut-off king mackerel in excess of an applicable commercial trip limit, and add to the management measures that may be established or modified by the FMP's framework procedure. In addition, NMFS clarifies that a Federal vessel permit is not required for the use of a sea bass pot north of Cape Hatteras, NC; clarifies what constitutes commercial fishing for the purpose of obtaining a commercial vessel permit; revises the definition of ``charter vessel'' to conform to a new definition of charter fishing in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act); and makes explicit the authority of NMFS to reopen a fishery that has been closed prematurely, i.e., prior to a quota having been reached. The intended effects of this rule are to protect king and Spanish mackerel from overfishing and maintain healthy stocks while still allowing catches by important commercial and recreational fisheries and to clarify and correct the regulations. DATES: This rule is effective April 3, 1998, except that changes to Sec. 622.4 are effective March 4, 1998.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1998/03/04/98-5476/fisheries-of-the-caribbean-gulf-of-mexico-and-south-atlantic-coastal-migratory-pelagic-resources-of)
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