[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17519-17520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8050]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[I.D. 032101F]


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Scoping 
Meetings.

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notification of public meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Council will hold nine public scoping meetings to gather 
public comments regarding the use of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a 
fishery management tool, emphasizing the conservation of essential fish 
habitat and the species associated with the snapper/grouper complex. 
These MPAs may be nearshore and/or offshore, as well as natural and/or 
man-made.
    The Council is currently considering the following type of actions 
regarding

[[Page 17520]]

MPAs: (1) Permanent closure/no-take; (2) permanent closure/some take 
allowed; (3) limited duration closure/no take; (4) limited duration 
closure/some take allowed; (5) spawning area closure/no take; and (6) 
spawning area closure/some take allowed. During the scoping process, 
the Council is focusing on management actions involving permanent 
closures with some take allowed. It is the Council's intent to 
specifically review areas suggested by the public and the MPA Advisory 
Panel, using maps of offshore areas, to protect deepwater snapper 
grouper species. It is the Council's intent to prohibit fishing for 
and/or harvesting/possessing species in the snapper grouper management 
unit. It is not the Council's intent to prohibit fishing for and/or the 
harvesting/possession of pelagic species. The public is invited to 
comment on all aspects of this approach.

DATES: The meetings will be held in April and May 2001. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates locations and times of the 
public meetings. Written comments will be accepted through May 21, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Bob Mahood, Eecutive 
Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, One Southpark 
Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407. Copies of the scoping document 
for MPAs are available by contacting Kerry O'Malley, South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, One Southpark Circle, Suite 306, 
Charleston, SC 29407-4699; telephone: 843-571-4366; fax: 843-769-4520; 
email: [email protected]. The scoping document will also be 
available at the meetings. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific 
locations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information 
Officer; telephone: 843-571-4366; fax: 843-769-4520; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Time and Location for Public Meetings

    Public scoping meetings will be held at the following dates and 
locations. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
    1. April 16, 2001, Crystal Coastal Civic Center, 3505 Arendell 
Street, Morehead City, NC 28557; telephone: 252247-3883.
    2. April 18, 2001, Blockade Runner Hotel, 275 Waynick Boulevard, 
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480; telephone: 910-256-2251.
    3. May 1, 2001, Sea Turtle Inn, 1 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, 
FL 32233; telephone: 904-249-7402.
    4. May 2, 2001, Radisson Beach Resort, 2600 N. A1A, Fort Pierce, FL 
34949; telephone: 561-465-5544.
    5. May 3, 2001, Holiday Isle's Resort, US Highway 1, Islamorada, FL 
33036; telephone: 305-664-2711.
    6. May 9, 2001, Embassy Suites North Charleston Convention Center, 
5055 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418; telephone: 
843-747-1882.
    7. May 14, 2001, St. John's Inn, Oceanfront at 70th Avenue, N., 
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572; telephone: 843-918-8000.
    8. May 15, 2001, University of Georgia Marine Extension Service, 
715 Bay Street, Brunswick, GA 31520; telephone: 912-264-7268.
    9. May 16, 2001, Richmond Hill City Hall, 40 Richard R. Davis 
Drive, Richmond Hill, GA 31324; telephone: 912-756-3345.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) 
by April 6, 2001.

    Dated: March 27, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8050 Filed 3-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S