[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 222 (Friday, November 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66917-66918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19478]



[[Page 66917]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111406D]


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.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a joint meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), 
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, Snapper Grouper Committee, Controlled 
Access Committee, a joint meeting of its Habitat Committee and 
Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, Southeastern Data Assessment and 
Review (SEDAR) Committee, a joint meeting of its Executive Committee 
and Finance Committee, a joint meeting of its Law Enforcement Advisory 
Panel and Committee, King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, Economics 
Committee, Advisory Panel Selection Committee (Closed Session), 
Personnel Committee (Closed Session), and a meeting of the full 
Council. In addition, the Council will also hold a public scoping 
meeting regarding gag grouper management and a general public input 
session.

DATES: The meeting will be held in December 2006. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach 
Oceanfront Hotel, 2717 W. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512; 
telephone: (1-800) 624-8875 or (252) 240-1155, fax: (252) 240-1452. 
Copies of documents are available from Kim Iverson, Public Information 
Officer, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place 
Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information 
Officer; telephone: (843) 571-4366 or toll free at (866) SAFMC-10; fax: 
(843) 769-4520; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting Dates

1. Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting: December 3, 2006, 1 
p.m. until 6 p.m., December 4, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., and 
December 5, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

    The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meetings will be 
held concurrently with the Council committee meetings.

December 3, 2006

    1 p.m.-4 p.m., The SSC will meet to receive an overview and 
presentations regarding the recent SEDAR assessment for gag grouper.
    4 p.m.-6 p.m., The SSC Biological Subcommittee and SSC 
Socioeconomic Subcommittee will meet concurrently to continue 
discussion of the gag grouper assessment and develop recommendations.

December 4, 2006

    8:30 a.m.-12 noon, The SSC will meet and receive reports and 
updates on: Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) concerning marine protected areas (MPA), and Amendment 15 to the 
Snapper Grouper FMP regarding rebuilding programs for snowy grouper, 
black sea bass and red porgy, sale of recreationally caught species in 
the snapper grouper management complex, permit issues (transferability 
and renewal times), size limits for queen snapper and silk snapper, and 
changes to the fishing year for golden tilefish.
    In addition, the SSC will review the National MPA Framework, 
Oculina Evaluation Report, Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory 
Pelagic (mackerel) FMP regarding changes in current total allowable 
catches (TACs) for king and Spanish mackerel, Amendment 19 to the 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP concerning options for mackerel 
management, including separating the current joint FMP from the Gulf of 
Mexico Fishery Management Council, boundaries, and permit issues if 
such a separation were to occur. The SSC will also receive an update on 
the development of the Council's Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) and the 
FEP Comprehensive Amendment.
    1:30 p.m.-2 p.m., The SSC will provide a presentation of findings 
on the gag grouper assessment to the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel.
    2 p.m.-5 p.m., The SSC Biological Subcommittee and the 
Socioeconomic Subcommittee will meet concurrently to continue 
discussion of Amendments 14 and 15 to the Snapper Grouper FMP and 
develop recommendations.
    5 p.m.-6 p.m., The full SSC will meet to receive reports from the 
subcommittees and to develop recommendations.
    December 4, 2006, 6:30 p.m.--The Council will hold a Public Scoping 
Session to receive input regarding the management of gag grouper.

December 5, 2006

    8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., The SSC will provide a presentation of 
findings and recommendations on the gag grouper assessment and 
Amendments 14 and 15 to the Snapper Grouper FMP to the Snapper Grouper 
Committee.
    9:30 a.m.-12 noon, The Biological Subcommittee and Socioeconomic 
Subcommittee will meet concurrently to discuss Amendments 18 and 19 to 
the Coastal Migratory Pelagics FMP and develop recommendations.
    1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., The full SSC will meet to receive the 
subcommittee reports. In addition, the SSC will review the SEDAR 
Research Report, review SSC policy, and hold elections for Chairman and 
Vice-Chairman.

2. Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel Meeting: December 4, 2006, 1:30 p.m. 
until 6 p.m.

    The Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (AP) will review and develop 
recommendations on the following: the SEDAR assessment for gag grouper, 
Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper FMP, the Oculina Evaluation Plan, 
and the National MPA Framework. The AP will receive a presentation from 
the SSC regarding its findings and recommendations for the SEDAR gag 
grouper assessment. The AP will also review Amendment 15 to the Snapper 
Grouper FMP.

3. Snapper Grouper Committee Meeting: December 5, 2006, 8:30 a.m. until 
12 noon

    The Snapper Grouper Committee will receive an SSC presentation of 
findings and recommendations on the SEDAR gag grouper assessment, and 
Amendments 14 and 15 to the Snapper Grouper FMP. The Committee will 
also receive a presentation on recommendations from the Snapper Grouper 
AP, then review and develop recommendations to the Council regarding 
the SEDAR gag grouper assessment. The Committee will receive a report 
on a Delphi socioeconomic study regarding Amendment 14 to the Snapper 
Grouper FMP, then review Amendments 14 and 15 to the Snapper Grouper 
FMP and provide direction to staff. The Committee will also receive a 
presentation on potential Individual Fishery Quota (IFQ) and Individual 
Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs as possible alternatives for 
Amendment 16 to the Snapper Grouper FMP, and develop recommendations. 
The Committee will also discuss the Oculina Evaluation plan and develop 
comments.

[[Page 66918]]

4. Controlled Access Committee Meeting: December 5, 2006, 1:30 p.m. 
until 2:30 p.m.

    The Controlled Access Committee will discuss development of and 
ITQ/IFQ program for the snapper grouper fishery.

5. Joint Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Committees Meeting: 
December 5, 2006, 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

    The Habitat Committee and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee will 
meet jointly to receive presentations and updates on: policy 
statements, status of the Deepwater Coral Research Plan, status of and 
presentations on the Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP), and the FEP 
Comprehensive Amendment. The Committees will make recommendations as 
appropriate.
    December 5, 2006, 4:30 p.m.--The Council will hold a Public Input 
Session. Members of the public are invited to address the Council on 
items listed on the agenda or any other fishery issue that falls under 
the jurisdiction of the Council.

6. SEDAR Committee Meeting: December 6, 2006, 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 
a.m.

    The SEDAR Committee will receive an update on Committee activities 
and develop recommendations regarding the SEDAR program.

7. Joint Executive/Finance Committees Meeting, December 6, 2006, 10:30 
a.m. until 12 noon

    The Executive Committee will meet jointly with the Finance 
Committee and will receive updates on budgets, establish Calendar Year 
(CY) 2007 timelines regarding FMP, amendment, and framework 
development, and develop the CY 2007 budget.

8. Joint Law Enforcement Advisory Panel and Committee Meeting, December 
6, 2006, 1:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.

    The Law Enforcement AP and Committee will meet jointly to develop 
management recommendations for gag grouper, review and develop comments 
for Amendments 14 and 15 to the Snapper Grouper FMP, the National MPA 
Framework, and the Oculina Evaluation plan.

9. King and Spanish Mackerel Committee Meeting, December 7, 2006, 8:30 
a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

    The Mackerel Committee will receive reviews and SSC recommendations 
regarding Amendments 18 and 19 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics FMP 
and develop recommendations to the Council as appropriate.

10. Economics Committee Meeting, December 7, 2006, 10:30 a.m. until 12 
noon

    As a newly formed committee, the Economics Committee will meet to 
discuss its organizational function.

11. Advisory Panel Selection Committee Meeting, December 7, 2006, 1:30 
p.m. until 2:30 p.m.(CLOSED SESSION)

    The Advisory Panel Selection Committee will review advisory panel 
applications and develop recommendations for Council consideration.

12. Personnel Committee Meeting, December 7, 2006, 2:30 p.m. until 4 
p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)

    The Personnel Committee will meet in closed session to discuss 
Council personnel matters.

Council Session: December 7, 2006, 4 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. and December 
8, 2006, 8:30 a.m. until 12 noon

Council Session: December 7, 2006, 4 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.

    4 p.m.-4:15 p.m., The Council will call the meeting to order, adopt 
the agenda, and approve the September 2006 meeting minutes.
    4:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m., The Council will receive a report from the 
Scientific and Statistical Committee.
    4:45 p.m.-5 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the Snapper 
Grouper Committee and take action as appropriate.
    5 p.m.-5:15 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the 
Controlled Access Committee and take action as appropriate.
    5:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the joint 
meeting of the Habitat Committee and Ecosystem-Based Management 
Committee and take action as appropriate.
    5:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the SEDAR 
Committee and take action as appropriate.
    5:45 p.m.-6 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the joint 
meeting of the Executive Committee and Finance Committes and take 
action as appropriate.
    6 p.m.-6:15 p.m., The Council will hear a report from the joint 
meeting of the Law Enforcement Advisory Panel and Committee and take 
action as appropriate.

Council Session: December 8, 2006, 8 a.m.-12 noon.

    8 a.m.-9 a.m., The Council will receive a NOAA General Counsel 
briefing on litigation issues (CLOSED SESSION).
    9 a.m.-9:30 a.m., The Council will receive a report from the 
Mackerel Committee and take action as appropriate.
    9:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m., The Council will receive a report from the 
Economics Committee and take action as appropriate.
    9:45 a.m.-10 a.m., The Council will receive a report from the 
Advisory Panel Selection Committee and take action as appropriate.
    10 a.m.-10:15 a.m., The Council will receive a report on the 
Council Chairmen/NOAA Fisheries Leadership meeting.
    10:15 a.m.-12 noon, The Council will review requests for 
Experimental Fishing Permits as necessary, receive status reports from 
NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries' Southeast 
Fisheries Science Center, agency and liaison reports, and discuss other 
business including 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.
    Except for advertised (scheduled) public hearings and public 
comment, the times and sequence specified on this agenda are subject to 
change.

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 December 1, 2006.

    Dated: November 14, 2006.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19478 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S