[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32729-32731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13728]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 052703C]


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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 its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), a 
joint meeting of its SSC and Snapper Grouper Committee, a meeting of 
its Snapper Grouper Committee, and a joint meeting of its Mackerel 
Committee and Advisory Panel. In addition, two public hearings will be 
held as part of the meeting: (1) Regarding Snapper Grouper Amendment 
13A addressing the Oculina Experimental Closed Area and, (2) the Gulf 
of Mexico Council's Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (Mackerel FMP) and other possible 
framework actions in the south Atlantic. Additional public comment 
periods will be held on these issues during the meeting week. There 
will also be a full Council Session.

DATES: The meetings will be held in June 2003. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Hilton CocoaBeach 
Oceanfront Hotel, 1550 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; 
telephone: (1-800) 526-2609 or (321) 799-0003.
    Copies of documents are available from Kim Iverson, Public 
Information Officer, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, One 
Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407-4699.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information 
Officer; telephone: 843-571-4366 or toll free at

[[Page 32730]]

866/SAFMC-10; fax: 843-769-4520; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting Dates

1. Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Meeting: June 16, 2003, 
1:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

    The Scientific and Statistical Committee will receive a report on 
the results of the Subcommittee meeting on the red porgy, vermilion 
snapper & black sea bass stock assessments and discuss and develop 
recommendations for the Council. In addition, the Committee will 
receive a presentation on mackerel stock assessments and develop 
recommendations regarding those assessments.
    Note: A public hearing will be held as part of the meeting on 
Monday, June 16, 2003 at 6 p.m. regarding Amendment 13A to the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery Management Plan. This Amendment addresses options 
pertaining to the Oculina Experimental Close Area off the central East 
Coast of Florida. Copies of the public hearing document can be obtained 
at the Council office or on the Council's web site at www.safmc.net.

2. Joint Snapper Grouper Committee and SSC Meeting: June 17, 2003, 8:30 
a.m. until 12 noon.

    During the joint meeting, the Committee and SSC will discuss and 
develop recommendations for the Council on Amendment 13A to the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The Committee will also discuss the 
red porgy, vermilion snapper and black sea bass stock assessments and a 
program to fill data gaps in the assessments. Additionally, the 
Committee will discuss and develop recommendations for the Southeastern 
Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process.

3. Snapper Grouper Committee: June 17, 2003, 1:30 p.m. 5 p.m. and June 
18, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. until 12 noon.

    The Committee will review Snapper Grouper Amendments 13A regarding 
the Oculina Experimental Closed Area and develop recommendations to the 
Council. The Committee will then review material from NOAA Fisheries 
regarding Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) requirements and make 
recommendations to the Council for the draft version of Amendment 13B 
to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan that includes options to 
address mandates outlined in the SFA. The Committee will also receive 
an update on the status of the development of Amendment 14 to the 
Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan regarding the use of Marine 
Protected Areas as a fishery management tool.

4. Joint King & Spanish Mackerel Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting: 
June 18, 2003, 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. and June 19, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. 
until 12 noon.

    The Mackerel Committee will meet jointly with the Advisory Panel to 
receive an overview of the Mackerel Stock Assessment, review comments 
from the Scientific and Statistical Committee and develop framework 
recommendations.
    Note: On June 19, 2003, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Council will 
hold a public hearing on the Gulf of Mexico Council's Regulatory 
Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic and any other 
framework action(s) proposed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council.
    Following the public hearing, the Committee and Advisory Panel will 
review the Gulf Council's Regulatory Amendment as well as comments from 
NOAA Fisheries, the SSC and the public. During the meeting the 
Committee and AP will develop recommendations for the Council to 
consider. In addition, they will begin to develop the Mackerel 
Amendment 15 scoping document and modify as needed.
    5. Council Session: June 19, 2003, 1:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
    From 1:30 p.m.--1:45 p.m., the Council will have a Call to Order, 
introductions and roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of 
the March 2003 meeting minutes.
    From 1:45 p.m.--2:15 p.m., the Council will conduct an election for 
Vice-Chairman and have presentations.
    From 2:15 p.m.--4:15 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the 
Snapper Grouper Committee. Beginning at 2:15 p.m., a public comment 
period will be held for Snapper Grouper Amendment 13A. Following public 
comment, the Council will approve Amendment 13A.
    From 4:15 p.m.--5:30 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the 
Mackerel Committee. Beginning at 4:15 p.m., a public comment period 
will be held on the Gulf of Mexico Council's Regulatory Amendment for 
the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Mackerel FMP). Following the 
public comment period, the Council will take action on the Gulf 
Council's Regulatory Amendment. In addition, the Council will take any 
necessary framework actions for the south Atlantic.

6. Council Session: June 20, 2003, 8:30 a.m.--12 noon

    From 8:30 a.m.--9:30 a.m., the Council will receive legal briefing 
on litigation affecting the Council (CLOSED SESSION).
    From 9:30 a.m.--10 a.m., the Council will receive a report on the 
project, ``Identifying Fishery Dependent Communities in the South 
Atlantic.
    From 10 a.m.--10:30 a.m., the Council will hear a report regarding 
the Joint Information and Education Committee and Advisory Panel 
Meeting.
    From 10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m., the Council will receive a report on 
the Council Chairman's meeting.
    From 10:45 a.m.--11:15 a.m., the Council will hear NOAA Fisheries 
status reports on Shrimp Amendment 5 implementation, the Sargassum FMP, 
the Dolphin Wahoo FMP, the SEDAR Committee Process, Operations Plan and 
implementation of the Atlantic Coast Cooperative Statistics Program 
(ACCSP) implementation. NOAA Fisheries will also give status reports on 
landings for Atlantic king mackerel, Gulf king mackerel (eastern zone), 
Atlantic Spanish mackerel, snowy grouper & golden tilefish, wreckfish, 
greater amberjack and south Atlantic octocorals.
    From 11:15 a.m.--12 noon, the Council will hear agency and liaison 
reports, 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 Council for discussion, those issues may not be the 
subjects of formal Council action during this meeting. Council action 
will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice 
and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require 
emergency action under section 305 (c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 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 sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) 
by June 12, 2003.


[[Page 32731]]


    Dated: May 28, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-13728 Filed 5-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S