[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34121-34122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15456]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XG339
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings.
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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will
hold a series of public scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to
three amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
for the South Atlantic Region. Amendment 47 considers modifications to
the federally permitted South Atlantic snapper grouper for-hire
fishery. Regulatory Amendment 29 considers options to implement best
fishing practices and remove powerhead restrictions in the federal
waters off the coast of South Carolina. Regulatory Amendment 32
addresses options for revisions to the in-season accountability
measures for yellowtail snapper.
DATES: The scoping meetings will be held via webinar on the following
dates: Amendment 47--August 6, August 9, and August 14, 2018;
Regulatory Amendment 29--August 7 and August 8, 2018 and; Regulatory
Amendment 32--August 15 and August 16, 2018.
ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be conducted via webinar.
Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405.
[[Page 34122]]
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 scoping meetings will be conducted via
webinar accessible via the internet from the Council's website at
www.safmc.net. The scoping meetings will begin at 6 p.m. Registration
for the webinars is required. Registration information will be posted
on the Council's website at www.safmc.net as it becomes available.
Public scoping is the beginning phase of amendment development. The
Council will gather public input and ideas on how to solve a fishery
problem or address a need. The public is encouraged to identify issues,
potential impacts, and reasonable solutions for options being
considered in each amendment.
Amendment 47 to the Snapper Grouper FMP
Amendment 47 considers options for limiting entry into the for-hire
Snapper Grouper fishery, establishing a mechanism that would allow new
entrants into the for-hire Snapper Grouper fishery under limited entry,
and modifying regulations that prevent anglers onboard federally
permitted for-hire Snapper Grouper vessels from possessing Snapper
Grouper species in state waters when harvest of these species closes in
federal waters.
Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper FMP
Regulatory Amendment 29 addresses the use of best fishing practices
to reduce discards and discard mortality for species in the snapper
grouper management complex, including: The use of venting tools and
descending devices to release fish experiencing barotrauma,
modification to the non-stainless-steel circle hook requirement, and
specification of allowable rigs. The draft amendment also includes
options to modify current regulations for the use of powerhead gear.
Regulatory Amendment 32 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan
Regulatory Amendment 32 considers modifications to yellowtail
snapper accountability measures (AM) to minimize the probability of in-
season closures and consequent socio-economic impacts.
During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview
of the amendment and will be available for informal discussions and to
answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an
opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration
by the Council. Public scoping documents and presentations for each
amendment will be posted to the Council's website at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as they become
available.
Written comments may also be submitted and must be received by 5
p.m. on August 17, 2018. The Council requests that written comments be
submitted using the online public comment forms that will be posted the
Council's website at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as they become available. Written comments may also
be submitted to: Gregg Waugh, Executive Director, South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N.
Charleston, SC 29405.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the
council office (see ADDRESSES) 5 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: July 16, 2018.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15456 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
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