[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28957-28959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9908]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[XRIN: 0648-XA50]


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 meeting of its Standard Operations, Policy, and Procedures 
(SOPPs) Committee, Economics Committee, Personnel Committee (Closed 
Session), Snapper Grouper Committee, Shrimp Committee, Mackerel 
Committee, Joint Spiny Lobster Advisory Panel and Committee, Limited 
Access Privilege (LAP) Program Committee, Joint Habitat and Ecosystem-
based Management Committees, Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review 
(SEDAR) Committee, Joint Executive and Finance Committees, and a 
meeting of the full Council. The Council will also hold a meeting of 
its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), including subcommittee 
meetings of the SSC's Biological Subcommittee and Socio-Economics 
Subcommittee. Public comment will be taken concerning agenda items for 
the SSC meetings. In addition, the Council will hold a meeting of the 
LAP Program Exploratory Workgroup, a public comment session regarding a 
request by the Bluewater Fishermen's Association for an Exempted 
Fishery Permit for longline vessels, and a public comment session 
regarding approval of Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery 
Management Plan to establish a series of marine protected areas in the 
South Atlantic Region.

DATES: The meeting will be held in June 2007. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort, 
3990 S. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL, 33040; telephone: (1-800) 
222-8733 or (305) 293-1818.
    Council address: 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; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting Dates

1. Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting: June 10, 2007, 1 p.m. 
until 5 p.m.; June 11, 2007 from 10:15 a.m. until 3 p.m.; and June 12, 
2007, 8 a.m. until 12 noon. The SSC Biological Subcommittee and SSC 
Socio-Economics Committee will meet in concurrent sessions on Sunday, 
June 10, 2007, 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.; June 11, 2007, 8 a.m. until 
10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. until 6 p.m.

    The SSC will receive overviews and updates, discuss, and provide 
recommendations to the Council regarding, but not limited to, the 
following agenda items: the role of the SSC under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSRA), the 
SEDAR stock assessment for gag grouper, the SEDAR stock assessment 
update for vermilion snapper, Amendment 15 to the Snapper Grouper 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP), Amendment 18 to the FMP for Coastal 
Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, a 
scoping document for Amendment 19 to the FMP for Coastal Migratory 
Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, a research 
plan required by the MSRA, and a NMFS comparison of electronic and 
paper logbooks versus state trip ticket data.
    With the exception of the role of the SSC under the MSRA, the SSC 
Biological Subcommittee and the SSC Socio-Economics Subcommittee will 
review the same agenda items and provide recommendations to the full 
SSC for consideration.
    Amendment 15 to the Snapper Grouper FMP addresses rebuilding plans 
for black sea bass, snowy grouper and red porgy as well as reductions 
in bycatch for deepwater snapper grouper species, recreational sale, 
black sea bass tags and pots, permit renewals, and other actions. 
Amendment 18 to the FMP for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the 
Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic addresses reductions in the Total 
Allowable Catch (TAC) for Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish 
mackerel, and changes in trip limits for Spanish mackerel. Amendment 
19, currently approved by the South Atlantic Council as a scoping 
document, would separate the FMP for Coastal Migratory Pelagics between 
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, and address boundary and permit issues 
associated

[[Page 28958]]

with creating separate FMPs between the two councils.

2. SOPPs Committee Meeting: June 11, 2007, 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.

    The SOPPs Committee will receive an update on the status of the 
Secretarial review of the Council's SOPPs and develop changes to the 
SOPPs as necessary.

3. Economics Committee Meeting: June 11, 2007, 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

    The Economics Committee will receive a presentation on economic 
analysis of allocation methodologies for Gulf of Mexico grouper species 
and discuss the timeline for development of the South Atlantic 
Council's Socioeconomics Guidance Document.

4. Personnel Committee Meeting: June 11, 2007, 4:30 p.m.. until 5:30 
p.m. (Closed Session)

    The Personnel Committee will receive a briefing from the Executive 
Director regarding staffing and personnel issues.

5. LAP Program Exploratory Workgroup Meeting: June 12, 2007, 1:30 p.m. 
until 6 p.m. and June 13, 2007, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. (Concurrent 
Sessions)

    The LAP Workgroup will receive a presentation and panel discussion 
of the development of the Individual Transferable Quota (IFQ) program 
for the Gulf of Mexico grouper, an update on the Workgroup's 
information requests, review and approval of the LAP Program 
Exploratory Workgroup draft working document, and prioritize the 
Workgroup's objectives. The Workgroup will also develop LAP Program 
duration options, options for species to be included in a LAP Program, 
and discuss gear sectors to be included in a LAP Program.

6. Snapper Grouper Committee Meeting: June 12, 2007, 8 a.m. until 4 
p.m.

    The Snapper Grouper Committee will meet to discuss the gag grouper 
SEDAR assessment and SEDAR stock assessment update for vermillion 
snapper, review recommendations from the SSC, and develop 
recommendations for the Council. The Committee will also review the 
Final Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper FMP establishing marine 
protected areas in the South Atlantic Region, and approve sending for 
formal review by the Secretary of Commerce, and review Amendment 15 to 
the Snapper Grouper FMP, including SSC recommendations, and provide 
direction to Council staff.

7. Shrimp Committee Meeting: June 12, 2007, 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

    The Shrimp Committee will review input and recommendations from the 
Rock Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP), address law enforcement concerns, 
review a draft options paper containing recommendations from the AP, 
and provide direction to staff.

8. Mackerel Committee Meeting, June 13, 2007, 8 a.m. until 12 noon

    The Mackerel Committee will review public comments received on 
Amendment 18 and approve final actions. The Committee will also review 
and approve the Amendment 19 scoping document, and develop input for 
SEDAR terms of reference and appointments.

9. Joint Spiny Lobster Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting, June 13, 
2007, 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.

    The Spiny Lobster Committee will meet jointly with the Spiny 
Lobster Advisory Panel and receive an update from the State of Florida, 
a briefing on NMFS Law Enforcement issues, a briefing on NOAA General 
Counsel issues, an update from the Florida State Lobster Advisory 
Board, and develop items to include in a plan amendment.

10. LAP Program Committee Meeting, June 13, 2007, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

    The Limited Access Privilege Program Committee will receive a 
report from the LAP Program Exploratory Workgroup, discuss non-LAP 
alternatives for the snapper grouper fishery, reconsider the use of 
proxies for Workgroup members, and consider replacement/appointments of 
new members.
    Public Comment Session, June 13, 2007, 6:30 p.m.: The Council will 
hold a public comment session regarding the Bluewater Fishermen's 
Association's request for an Exempted Fishery Permit (EFP) involving 
the commercial longline fishery.

11. Joint Habitat and Ecosystem-based Management Committees Meeting, 
June 14, 2007, 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

    The Habitat and Ecosystem-based Management Committees will review 
Energy and Offshore Aquaculture Policy statements, receive an update on 
the Council's Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP), and the FEP Comprehensive 
Amendment.

12. SEDAR Committee Meeting, June 14, 2007, 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon

    The SEDAR Committee will review actions from the SEDAR Steering 
Committee and develop Scientific Research Priorities as required by the 
MSRA. The Committee will also review and finalize Council appointees 
for SEDAR 15 (greater amberjack and red snapper), SEDAR 15A (mutton 
snapper), SEDAR 16 (South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico king mackerel), 
and appointment of ``outside'' individuals to SEDAR 16. In addition, 
the Committee will review the status of the vermilion snapper 
assessment update, the gag grouper SEDAR assessment, the king mackerel 
SEDAR assessment, and review an outline for the Trends Report and the 
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report.

13. Joint Executive/Finance Committees Meeting, June 14, 2007, 1:30 
p.m. until 3 p.m.

    The Executive and Finance Committees will finalize the Calendar 
Year (CY) 2007 FMP/Amendment/Framework timelines, and develop and 
approve CY 2007 activities schedule and budget. The Committees will 
also discuss and provide recommendations for appointments for an Ad Hoc 
Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey (MRFSS) Advisory 
Panel.

14. Council Session: June 14, 2007, 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. and June 15, 
2007, 8 a.m. until 12 noon

Council Session: June 14, 2007, 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.

    From 3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., the Council will call the meeting to 
order, adopt the agenda, and approve the March 2007 meeting minutes.
    From 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m., the Council will review Experimental 
Fishing Permit applications from: Bluewater Fishermen's Association, 
S.C. Aquarium, and any others received prior to the meeting.
    From 4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., the Council will hear a report from the 
SSC and take action as appropriate.
    From 4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., the Council will hear a report from the 
Economics Committee and take action as appropriate.
    From 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., the Council will hear a report from the 
Snapper Grouper Committee, receive public comment on Amendment 14, 
approve Amendment 14 for submission to the Secretary of Commerce, and 
consider other recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    4:45 p.m. - Public Comment Session: Public comment regarding 
Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper FMP - establishment of 8 marine 
protected areas in the South Atlantic Region.
    From 5:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., the Council will hear a report from the 
Shrimp Committee and take action as appropriate.

[[Page 28959]]

    From 5:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., the Council will hear a report from the 
Mackerel Committee and take action as appropriate.

Council Session: June 15, 2007, 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

    From 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., the Council will receive a NOAA General 
Counsel briefing on litigation issues (CLOSED SESSION).
    From 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the Spiny Lobster Committee and take action as appropriate.
    From 8:45 a.m. - 9 a.m., the Council will receive a report from the 
LAP Program Committee and take action as appropriate.
    From 9 a.m. - 9:15 a.m., the Council will receive a report from the 
Joint Habitat and Ecosystem-based Management Committees and take action 
as appropriate.
    From 9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the SEDAR Committee and take action as appropriate.
    From 9:30 a.m. - 9:45 p.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the Joint Executive/Finance Committees and take action as appropriate.
    From 9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m., the Council will receive a briefing on 
the use of Green Sticks and the status of the petition to list white 
martin.
    From 10:15 a.m. - 12 noon, the Council will receive a report 
regarding the Council Coordinating Committee Meeting, discuss Annual 
Catch Limits, 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.
    Copies of 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 June 6, 2007.

    Dated: May 18, 2007.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-9908 Filed 5-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S