[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9553-9555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3650]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA227


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (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 will hold a 
meeting of its Spiny Lobster Committee, Mackerel Committee, Ecosystem-
Based Management Committee, Law Enforcement Advisory Panel, Joint Law 
Enforcement Committee and Advisory Panel, Golden Crab Committee, Shrimp 
Committee, Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee, 
Joint Executive/Finance Committee, Standard Operating, Policy and 
Procedures (SOPPs) Committee, Snapper Grouper Committee and a meeting 
of the Full Council. The Council will take action as necessary.
    The Council will also hold an open informal public question and 
answer session regarding agenda items, as well as public comment on 
Regulatory Amendment 9 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) addressing commercial trip limits and possible changes to black 
sea bass bag limits. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional 
details.

DATES: The meeting will be held March 7-11, 2011. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Sea Palms Resort and 
Conference Center, 5445 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522; 
telephone: (1-800) 841-6268 or (912) 638-3351; fax: (912) 638-5416. 
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. Spiny Lobster Committee Meeting: March 7, 2011, 1:30 p.m. Until 2:30 
p.m.

    The Spiny Lobster Committee will review the draft of Amendment 10 
to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic Regions and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS). Amendment 10 addresses the requirements of the Reauthorized 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) 
including establishment of Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and 
Accountability Measures (AMs). The committee will modify Amendment 10/
DEIS based on Gulf Council actions as appropriate and approve the 
modified Amendment 10/DEIS for public hearing.

Concurrent Session

2. Law Enforcement Advisory Panel Meeting: March 7, 2011, 1:30 p.m. 
Until 5:30 p.m.

    The Law Enforcement Advisory Panel (AP) will receive an overview, 
followed by a discussion and development of recommendations, on the 
following Council actions: Regulatory Amendment 9 to the Snapper 
Grouper FMP; black sea bass bag limit analysis; and the Comprehensive 
ACL Amendment. The Comprehensive ACL Amendment will specify ACLs, AMs 
and other values as mandated in the MSA for species managed by the 
Council and not subject to overfishing. This includes species in the 
Snapper Grouper, Coral, Golden Crab, and Dolphin Wahoo fishery 
management units.
    The Committee will also review the Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based 
Amendment (CE-BA) 2 that includes regulatory measures pertaining to the 
harvest of octocorals and non-regulatory actions that update existing 
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) information. CE-BA 2 also modifies 
management of Special

[[Page 9554]]

Management Zones in South Carolina, amends sea turtle release gear 
requirements for the commercial snapper grouper fishery, and designates 
new EFH and EFH/Habitat Areas of Particular Concern.
    The AP will also review and provide recommendations for Regulatory 
Amendment 11 to the Snapper Grouper FMP containing alternatives to 
modify regulations pertaining to the deepwater species in order to 
reduce the socio-economic effects expected from the regulations in 
Amendment 17B to the Snapper-Grouper FMP while maintaining or 
increasing the biological protection to speckled hind and warsaw 
grouper in the South Atlantic.

3. Mackerel Committee Meeting: March 7, 2011, 2:30 p.m. Until 3:30 p.m.

    The Mackerel Committee will review the draft of Amendment 18 to the 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
and the Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements of the MSA to set 
ACLs and AMs for species managed in the FMP. The Committee will modify 
Amendment 18/EA based on Gulf Council actions as appropriate, approve 
the modified Amendment 18/EA for public hearing and provide direction 
to staff on Mackerel Amendment 19. Amendment 19 will address the sale 
of species in the FMP caught under the bag limit.

4. Ecosystem-Based Management Committee Meeting: March 7, 2011, 3:30 
p.m. Until 5:30 p.m.

    The Ecosystem-Based Management Committee will review comments from 
public hearings, receive an overview of the CE-BA 2 actions and 
alternatives and provide guidance to staff. The Committee will give the 
initial approval for CE-BA 2 and receive an update on ecosystem 
activities.

5. Joint Law Enforcement Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting: March 8, 
2011, 8:30 a.m. Until 10 a.m.

    The Joint Law Enforcement Committee and Advisory Panel will receive 
a presentation on vessel monitoring systems, and the AP will provide 
its report to the Committee.

6. Golden Crab Committee Meeting: March 8, 2011, 10 a.m. Until 11 a.m.

    The Golden Crab Committee will review public scoping comments to 
Amendment 5 to the Golden Crab FMP addressing a catch share program for 
the commercial fishery and discuss appropriate changes to the 
amendment.

7. Shrimp Committee Meeting: March 8, 2011, 11 a.m. Until 12 noon

    The Shrimp Committee will receive a report on the over-wintering 
status of the shrimp resource and determine if a closure is necessary.

8. SEDAR Committee Meeting: March 8, 2011, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

    The SEDAR Committee will receive an update on SEDAR activities, a 
report on the SEDAR Steering Committee meeting, and follow-up actions. 
The Committee will develop recommendations for the May 2011 Steering 
Committee meeting.

9. Joint Executive/Finance Committees Meeting: March 8, 2011, 2:30 p.m. 
Until 3:30 p.m.

    The Joint Executive/Finance Committees will receive a status report 
on the Calendar Year (CY) 2011 Council budget and activities, the 
status of the Fiscal Year 2011 Congressional budget, and will review 
and discuss the tentative CY 2011 Council budget and activities 
schedule.

10. SOPPs Committee Meeting: March 8, 2011, 3:30 p.m. Until 5 p.m.

    The SOPPs Committee will develop changes to the operational policy 
and procedures in accordance with the final rule as proposed by staff.

11. Snapper Grouper Committee Meeting: March 9, 2011, 8:30 a.m. Until 5 
p.m., and March 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. Until 10 a.m.

    The Snapper Grouper Committee will receive a report on activities 
within the Oculina Bank Experimental Closed Area and receive a report 
from the Scientific and Statistical Committee.
    The Committee will receive an overview of the black sea bass bag 
limit issues and analysis and provide directions to staff.
    The Committee will review public hearing comments regarding 
Regulatory Amendment 9, modify the amendment as appropriate, and 
approve the amendment for formal Secretarial review. Regulatory 
Amendment 9 addresses commercial trip limits for black sea bass, 
vermilion snapper, gag and greater amberjack.
    The Committee will review and modify as appropriate Regulatory 
Amendment 11 and receive a report on the status of Amendment 18A. 
Amendment 18A includes improvements for fisheries statistics along with 
actions to modify the golden tilefish and black sea bass commercial 
fisheries.
    The Committee will review the public hearing comments, modify, and 
recommend the initial approval of the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit 
(ACL) Amendment.
    The Committee will report on the status of Amendments 20, 21, 22 
and 24 to the Snapper Grouper FMP. Amendment 20 concerns the current 
Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program for wreckfish. Amendment 21 
addresses alternatives for management of the snapper grouper fishery, 
including effort and participation reductions, endorsements, catch 
shares, and regional quotas. Amendment 22 includes options for long-
term management measures for red snapper in the South Atlantic as the 
stock rebuilds. Amendment 24 addresses requirements under the MSA for 
red grouper, including establishment of ACLs, AMs and a rebuilding 
plan.

    Note:  There will be an informal public question and answer 
session with an administrator from the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) and the Council Chairman on March 9, 2011 beginning 
at 5:30 p.m.

    Council Session: March 10, 2011, 10:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. and 
March 11, 2011, 8:30 a.m. until 12 noon (Note: a portion of the meeting 
will be Closed.)
    Council Session: March 10, 2011, 10:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m.
    From 10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., the Council will call the meeting to 
order, adopt the agenda, and approve the December 2010 meeting minutes.

    Note:  A public comment period on Snapper Grouper Regulatory 
Amendment 9 and black sea bass bag limit changes will be held on 
March 10, 2011 beginning at 10:45 a.m. and followed by public 
comment regarding any other items on the Council agenda.

    From 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the Snapper Grouper Committee, approve Regulatory Amendment 9 for 
submission to the Secretary of Commerce, approve the black sea bass 
recreational bag limit changes, give the initial approval of the 
Comprehensive ACL Amendment, address issues from Regulatory Amendment 
11, consider other Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    From 3:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the Spiny Lobster Committee, approve Spiny Lobster Amendment 10/DEIS 
for public hearing, consider other Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    From 3:45 p.m.-4 p.m., the Council will receive a report from the 
Mackerel Committee, approve Mackerel Amendment 18/EA for public 
hearing, consider other Committee

[[Page 9555]]

recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    From 4 p.m.-4:15 p.m., the Council will receive a report from the 
Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, give initial approval of the CE-
BA 2, consider other Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    From 4:15 p.m.-4:30 p.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the Golden Crab Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    From 4:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the SEDAR Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    From 4:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. the Council will receive a legal briefing 
on litigation (closed session).
    Council Session: March 11, 2011, 8:30 a.m. until 12 noon.
    From 8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the joint Executive/Finance Committees and take action as appropriate.
    From 8:45 a.m.-9 a.m., the Council will receive a report from the 
SOPPs Committee, approve any changes to SOPPs, consider Committee 
recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    From 9 a.m.-9:15 a.m., the Council will receive a report from the 
Law Enforcement Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    From 9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m., the Council will receive a report from 
the Shrimp Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    From 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, the Council will receive status reports 
from NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries' 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center, review Experimental Fishing Permits 
as necessary, receive 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 final Council action during these meetings. 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 March 3, 2011.

    Dated: February 14, 2011.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3650 Filed 2-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P