[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29631-29634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12492]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD932
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public Meeting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will
hold meetings of the: Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management
Committee; Protected Resources Committee; Shrimp Committee; Southeast
Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Golden Crab Committee;
Personnel Committee (Closed Session); Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC) Selection Committee; Law Enforcement Committee
(partially closed); Data Collection Committee; King and Spanish
Mackerel Committee; Executive Finance Committee; Snapper Grouper
Committee; and a meeting of the Full Council. The Council will also
hold a Council Member Visioning Workshop for the Snapper Grouper
Fishery and conduct a joint Council Session with the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council. The Council will take action as necessary.
The Council will also hold a formal public comment session.
DATES: The Council meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June
8, 2015 until 3 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015.
ADDRESSES:
Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Doubletree Grand
Key Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL 33040; phone: (800)
222-8733 or (305) 293-1818; fax: (305) 296-6962.
Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055
[[Page 29632]]
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information
Officer, SAFMC; phone: (843) 571-4366 or toll free (866) SAFMC-10; fax:
(843) 769-4520; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The items of discussion in the individual
meeting agendas are as follows:
Council Member Visioning Workshop: Monday, June 8, 2015, 8:30 a.m.
Until 12 Noon
1. Council members will receive a recap of the March 2015 Visioning
Workshop, an overview of the draft Snapper Grouper Vision Blueprint,
review public input, promotional materials and strategies, and discuss
planning for public input schedules on the Draft Vision Blueprint.
2. Council members will discuss next steps and provide guidance to
staff.
Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee: Monday,
June 8, 2015, 1:30 p.m. Until 3 p.m.
1. The committee will receive a report from the Habitat Advisory
Panel, a status report on the Fishery Ecosystem Plan II Development, a
report on the South Atlantic Ecosystem Modeling Workshop, and review
analyses associated with the northern extension of the Oculina Bank
Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern as it pertains to the rock
shrimp fishery.
2. The committees will develop recommendations and provide guidance
to staff.
Protected Resources Committee: Monday, June 8, 2015, 3 p.m. Until 4
p.m.
1. The committee will receive an update from NOAA Fisheries on
protected resource-related issues, a briefing on the Acropora (coral)
recovery plan, an overview of the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery
Biological Opinion, and an overview of the NOAA Fisheries guidance on
the Endangered Species Act/Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act
Integration Agreement.
2. The committee will develop recommendations for the Council.
Shrimp Committee: Monday, June 8, 2015, 4:00 p.m. Until 4:30 p.m.
1. The committee will review the Shrimp and Deepwater Shrimp
Advisory Panel report, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.
SEDAR Committee: Monday, June 8, 2015, 4:30 p.m. Until 5 p.m.
1. The committee will approve Terms of Reference for red grouper,
approve the Council's Annual Research and Monitoring Plan, and receive
an update on the Marine Recreational Information Transition Plan.
Golden Crab Committee: Monday, June 8, 2015, 5 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m.
1. The committee will receive an update on the status of commercial
catch versus annual catch limit (ACL) for golden crab, the status of
Amendment 9 to the Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and a
report on available data for golden crab. The committee will discuss
and take action as necessary.
Personnel Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 8 a.m. Until 9 a.m. (Closed
Session)
1. The committee will review a staff retirement health insurance
proposal and provide recommendations.
SSC Selection Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 9 a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.
(Closed Session)
1. The committee will review applications for the SSC and provide
recommendations for appointments.
Law Enforcement Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 9:30 a.m. Until 10:30
a.m. (Partially Closed Session)
1. The committee will review nominations for Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year (closed session) and receive a report from the Law
Enforcement Advisory Panel.
2. The committee will provide recommendations as appropriate.
Data Collection Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 10:30 a.m. Until 11
a.m.
1. The committee will receive a presentation on the status of work
on bycatch reporting in the Southeast, an overview of the status of the
implementation plan for commercial electronic logbook reporting, a
presentation on the status of the commercial electronic logbook pilot
project, an overview of the Joint South Atlantic and Gulf Council
Generic Charterboat Reporting Amendment including the status of the
Gulf Council recommendations and next steps, and review the Decision
Document for the amendment.
2. The committee will discuss, approve next steps, and provide
guidance to staff.
King and Spanish Mackerel Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 11 a.m.
Until 12 Noon
1. The committee will receive a report on the status of commercial
catch versus ACLs for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia, the
status of amendments currently under Secretarial Review, discuss
Framework Amendment 2 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP, and receive
a report from the Mackerel Advisory Panel.
2. The committee will review Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP
Amendment 26 addressing modifications to management/stock boundaries,
management parameters for king mackerel including changes to ACLs,
revisions to commercial quotas and allocations in the Gulf of Mexico,
and allowing the sale of king mackerel caught within the shark gillnet
fishery. The committee will modify the amendment as necessary, and
select preferred management alternatives.
3. The committee will review the Discussion Document for Coastal
Migratory Pelagic FMP Amendment 28 addressing options for separating
the joint FMP between the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery
Management Councils.
4. The committee will provide recommendations and direction to
staff as appropriate.
Executive Finance Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 1:30 p.m. Until 3
p.m.
1. The committee will receive an update on the status of the
Calendar Year 2015 budget expenditures and review the Council Follow-up
and priorities.
2. The committee will review and approve the Calendar Year 2015
budget.
3. The committee will also receive an update on the Joint South
Florida Committee Issues and an overview of the Citizen Science Program
and review the Statement of Work.
4. The committee will provide recommendations and address other
issues as appropriate.
Snapper Grouper Committee: Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 3 p.m. Until 5:30
p.m. and Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 8:30 a.m. Until 5 p.m.
1. The committee will receive updates on the status of catches
versus quotas under annual catch limits (ACLs), actions under formal
review, Southeast Reef Fish Survey, and presentations on the 2015 red
snapper season and Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP)
``Rare Event'' sampling.
2. The committee will receive reports from the Snapper Grouper
Advisory Panel (AP) and the SSC.
[[Page 29633]]
3. The committee will review the following amendments to the
Snapper Grouper FMP and provide recommendations as appropriate: (1)
Regulatory Amendment 16 addressing modifications to the current
seasonal closure for the commercial black sea bass pot fishery. The
committee will modify the amendment, choose preferred alternatives as
appropriate and approve the amendment for public hearings; (2)
Amendment 36 addressing Spawning Special Management Zones (SMZs.). The
committee will consider public hearing comments and the draft System
Management Plan, modify the document as appropriate, and approve the
amendment for a second round of public hearings; (3) Amendment 35 to
remove species from the management unit and address measures for the
commercial golden tilefish endorsement. The committee will modify the
document and codified text as needed and approve for formal review;
4. The committee will review the following amendments, provide
guidance to staff and develop recommendations for approving for public
scoping: (1) Amendment 38 pertaining to blueline tilefish management
measures; (2) Amendment 37 addressing measures for hogfish; (3)
Regulatory Amendment 23 addressing measures for golden tilefish; and
(4) Regulatory Amendment 24 addressing measures for multiple species in
the snapper grouper management complex.
Note: A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday,
June 10, 2015 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Public comment will be accepted
on any items on the Council agenda including items on the joint
Council session. The Chairman, based on the number of individuals
wishing to comment, will determine the amount of time provided to
each commenter.
Joint Council Session: South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Councils, Thursday, June 11, 2015, 8:30 a.m. Until 5:30 p.m.
8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda,
welcome and introductions
8:45-10 a.m.: The Councils will receive an overview of the Decision
Document for the Joint South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Generic
Charterboat Reporting Amendment addressing reporting requirements for
federally permitted charterboats in the South Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico. The Councils will discuss measures and vote on actions as
appropriate.
10 a.m.-12 noon: The Councils will review the Joint Draft Options
Paper and Decision Document for Amendment 26 to the Coastal Migratory
Pelagics FMP addressing king mackerel management measures including
modifications to stock boundaries, allocations, and sale provisions.
The Councils will discuss measures and vote on actions as appropriate.
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: The Councils will review the Decision Document
for Amendment 28 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP addressing
options for separating management of coastal migratory species (king
mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia) between the Gulf of Mexico and
South Atlantic Council's area of jurisdiction. The species are
currently managed jointly through the FMP. The Councils will discuss
measures and vote on actions as appropriate.
2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.: The Councils will review the Joint South Florida
Amendment including issues, goals and objectives. The amendment
includes measures to modify management of yellowtail snapper, mutton
snapper and black grouper, seasonal closures, circle hook requirements
and other measures designed to minimize conflicting regulations for
South Florida. The Councils will review the Decision Document for the
amendment and vote on actions as appropriate.
5 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: The Councils will review a Decision Document for
management measures addressing hogfish following a recent stock
assessment. The Councils will discuss measures and vote on actions as
appropriate. The Councils will also address Other Business as
appropriate.
Council Session: Friday, June 12, 2015, 8:30 a.m. Until 3 p.m.
8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda,
and approve the March 2014 minutes.
8:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Snapper Grouper Committee and is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper
Amendment 35 for formal Secretarial review. The Council will approve/
disapprove Regulatory Amendment 16 for public hearings and Amendment 36
for a second round of public hearings. The Council is scheduled to
approve or disapprove the following amendments for public scoping:
Snapper Grouper Amendment 37, Amendment 38, Regulatory Amendment 23 and
Regulatory Amendment 24. The Council will consider other committee
recommendations and take action as appropriate.
9:45 a.m.-10 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the King
and Spanish Mackerel Committee, consider committee recommendations and
take action as appropriate.
10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SSC
Selection Committee, appoint members to the SSC and the SSC's Socio-
Economic Panel, consider other committee recommendations and take
action as appropriate.
10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Council Member Visioning Workshop, consider recommendations and take
action as appropriate.
10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, consider
committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
10:45 a.m.-11 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Protected Resources Committee, consider committee recommendations and
take action as appropriate.
11 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
SEDAR Committee, approve or disapprove the red grouper terms of
reference, the Council's annual Research and Monitoring Plan, consider
committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Executive Finance Committee, approve the Council Follow Up and
Priorities, approve the Calendar Year 2015 budget, take action on the
South Florida Management issues as appropriate, consider other
committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Golden Crab Committee, consider committee recommendations, and take
action as appropriate.
11:45 a.m.-12 noon: The Council will receive a report from the Data
Collection Committee, consider recommendations and take action as
appropriate.
1 p.m.-1:15 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Shrimp
Committee, consider committee recommendations and take action as
appropriate.
1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Law
Enforcement Committee, select the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year,
consider other committee recommendations, and take action as
appropriate.
1:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the
Personnel Committee, approve/disapprove the staff retirement health
insurance plan, consider other committee
[[Page 29634]]
recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
1:45 p.m.-3 p.m.: The Council will receive status reports from NOAA
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office and the Southeast Fisheries Science
Center. The Council will review and develop recommendations on
Experimental Fishing Permits as necessary; review agency and liaison
reports; and discuss other business and upcoming meetings.
Documents regarding these issues are available from the Council
office (see ADDRESSES).
Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come
before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject
of formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to
those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues
arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's
intent to take final action to address the emergency.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the
council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 days prior to the meeting.
Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are
subject to change.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 19, 2015.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-12492 Filed 5-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P