648.103—Minimum fish sizes.

(a) The minimum size for summer flounder is 14 inches (35.6 cm) TL for all vessels issued a moratorium permit under § 648.4 (a)(3), except on board party and charter boats carrying passengers for hire or carrying more than three crew members, if a charter boat, or more than five crew members, if a party boat;

(b) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to § 648.107, the minimum size for summer flounder is 19.5 inch (49.53 cm) TL for all vessels that do not qualify for a moratorium permit, and charter boats holding a moratorium permit if fishing with more than three crew members, or party boats holding a moratorium permit if fishing with passengers for hire or carrying more than five crew members.

(c) The minimum sizes in this section apply to whole fish or to any part of a fish found in possession, e.g., fillets, except that party and charter vessels possessing valid state permits authorizing filleting at sea may possess fillets smaller that the size specified if all state requirements are met.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 10478, Mar. 7, 1997; 62 FR 37157, July 11, 1997; 62 FR 63875, Dec. 3, 1997; 63 FR 27868, May 21, 1998; 66 FR 39291, July 30, 2001; 67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 2002; 72 FR 65468, Nov. 21, 2007; 73 FR 29999, May 23, 2008; 74 FR 30011, June 24, 2009; 75 FR 39177, July 8, 2010]

CFR

648.103—Minimum fish sizes.