[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30866-30868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12281]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC694


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

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

SUMMARY: In addition to a Council Member Visioning Workshop, the South 
Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a joint meeting 
of the Ecosystem-Based Management Committee and Habitat & Environmental 
Protection Committee as well as meetings of the: Dolphin Wahoo 
Committee; Southeast Data, Assessment and Review Committee (partially 
CLOSED SESSION); Snapper Grouper Committee; King & Spanish Mackerel 
Committee; Advisory Panel Selection Committee (CLOSED SESSION); 
Scientific & Statistical Selection Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Law 
Enforcement Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Executive Finance Committee; 
Protected Resources Committee; Data Collection Committee; and a meeting 
of the Full Council. The Council will take action as necessary. The 
Council will also hold an informal public question and answer session 
regarding agenda items and a formal public comment session.

DATES: The Council meeting will be held from 9 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 
2013 until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Hutchinson Island 
Marriott, 555 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34996; telephone: (800) 
775-5936 or (772) 225-3700; fax: (772) 225-7131.
    Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The items of discussion in the individual 
meeting agendas are as follows:

Council Member Visioning Workshop Agenda, Monday, June 10, 2013, 9 a.m. 
Until 12 noon

    1. Receive a recapitulation of the March 2013 Visioning Workshop.
    2. Review the visioning decision document as well as the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) objectives.
    3. Develop a Vision Statement and provide guidance to staff.

Joint Ecosystem-Based Management Committee and Habitat & Environmental 
Protection Committee Agenda, Monday, June 10, 2013, 1:30 p.m. Until 3 
p.m.

    1. Receive a report on the following Advisory Panel (AP) meetings: 
Coral AP; Habitat & Environmental Protection AP; and Deepwater Shrimp 
AP.
    2. Review and discuss actions and alternatives in Coral Amendment 
8, pertaining to Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) and 
transit through the Oculina HAPC. Review and discuss spatial 
information on habitat mapping and fishery activity for modified Coral 
HAPC area alternatives. Provide guidance to staff and recommend 
approval of Coral Amendment 8 for public hearings.
    3. Receive and discuss an update on ecosystem activities and 
provide guidance to staff.

Dolphin Wahoo Committee Agenda, Monday, June 10, 2013, 3 p.m. Until 
4:30 p.m.

    1. Receive and discuss updates on the status of commercial and 
recreational catches versus quotas.
    2. Review and discuss comments from the Dolphin Wahoo AP meeting.
    3. Review the Decision Document for Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5, 
pertaining to bag limit sales of fish and changes to the Annual Catch 
Limit (ACL) and the Allowable Biological Catch (ABC). Discuss actions 
and alternatives to Amendment 5, select preferred alternatives and 
recommend approval of the amendment for public hearings.

Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee Agenda, Monday, 
June 10, 2013, 4:30 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m. (Note: A Portion of This 
Meeting Will be CLOSED)

    1. Receive a SEDAR activities update, review SEDAR Steering 
Committee recommendations and provide guidance to Committee members.
    2. Receive an overview of the report and recommendations from the 
Only Reliable Catch Stocks (ORCS) Workshop.
    3. Receive an overview of Council research prioritization and 
approve a research plan.
    4. Develop recommendations for the following SEDAR projects: SEDAR 
38 (King Mackerel) Schedule and Terms of Reference (TOR); SEDAR 32 
(Gray Triggerfish and Blueline Tilefish) and SEDAR 36 (Snowy Grouper) 
TOR review; and participants for SEDAR 38 and SEDAR 36.

    Note: There will be an informal public question and answer 
session with the NMFS Regional Administrator and the Council 
Chairman on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Snapper Grouper Committee Agenda, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 8:30 a.m. 
Until 5 p.m. and Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 8:30 a.m. Until 12 noon

    1. Receive and discuss the status of commercial and recreational 
catches versus ACLs.
    2. Receive a report on total removals of red snapper in 2012 from 
United States South Atlantic waters.
    3. Receive an update on the status of the following amendments 
under formal Secretarial review: Regulatory Amendment 13, pertaining to 
MRIP (Marine Recreational Information Program) adjustments; Regulatory 
Amendment 15, relating to Yellowtail Snapper, Gag Grouper and Red 
Snapper; Amendment 28, regarding the Red Snapper framework; Amendment 
27, pertaining to the management authority, framework and crew size for 
Blue Runner; Regulatory Amendment 18, relating to Vermilion Snapper and 
Red Porgy; and Regulatory Amendment 19, pertaining to Black Sea Bass.
    4. Receive updates on the Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment 
and Prediction Program (MARMAP), the Southeast Area Monitoring and 
Assessment Program (SEAMAP) and the Southeast Fishery-Independent 
Survey (SEFIS) group.
    5. Receive reports on the Snapper Grouper AP meeting and the 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting.
    6. Receive an overview of Regulatory Amendment 14, relating to a 
multitude of species in the Snapper Grouper FMP, and Regulatory 
Amendment 16, pertaining to Golden Tilefish. Provide guidance to staff 
and recommend approval of the amendments for public hearings.

[[Page 30867]]

    7. Receive an overview of Snapper Grouper Amendment 30, regarding 
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS); review public hearing comments; 
discuss recommendation of approval of Amendment 30 for formal 
Secretarial review; and deem the codified text as necessary and 
appropriate.
    8. Receive an update on Snapper Grouper Amendment 29, pertaining to 
allocations and ORCS; and provide guidance to staff on content and 
timing of the amendment.
    9. Receive an overview of options for Snapper Grouper Amendment 22, 
relating to tags in order to track recreational harvest of species; and 
provide guidance to staff on content and timing of the amendment.

King & Spanish Mackerel Committee Agenda, Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 
1:30 p.m. Until 5 p.m.

    1. Receive and discuss the status of commercial and recreational 
catches versus ACLs for Atlantic group King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel 
and Cobia.
    2. Receive and discuss an SSC report on SEDAR 28, pertaining to 
Spanish Mackerel and Cobia, and take action as necessary.
    3. Receive a report on the King & Spanish Mackerel AP meeting.
    4. Receive an overview of the Joint South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 
(Gulf) Mackerel Amendment 19, pertaining to permits and tournament sale 
requirements, and the Joint Mackerel Amendment 20, regarding boundaries 
and transit provisions; select preferred alternatives for the 
amendments; modify the amendments as appropriate; provide guidance to 
staff; and recommend approval of the amendments for public hearings.
    5. Receive an overview of actions in the South Atlantic Mackerel 
Framework; select preferred alternatives; modify the amendment as 
appropriate; provide guidance to staff; and recommend approval of the 
South Atlantic Framework actions for public hearings.

    Note: A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, 
June 12, 2013, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Snapper Grouper Amendment 
30, followed by comment on any other item on the Council agenda. The 
amount of time provided to individuals will be determined by the 
Chairman based on the number of individuals wishing to comment.

AP Selection Committee Agenda, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 8:30 a.m. Until 
9:30 a.m. (Closed Session)

    1. Review AP applications and develop recommendations for 
appointments and reappointments.

SSC Selection Committee Agenda, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 9:30 a.m. 
Until 10:30 a.m. (Closed Session)

    1. Review SSC and Socio-Economic Panel (SEP) applications and 
develop recommendations for appointments and reappointments.

Law Enforcement Committee Agenda, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 10:30 a.m. 
Until 11 a.m. (Closed Session)

    1. Review Law Enforcement Officer of the Year nominations and 
develop a recommendation for officer of the year.

Executive Finance Committee Agenda, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 11 a.m. 
Until 12 noon

    1. Receive an update on the status of Council calendar year (CY) 
2013 funding as well as CY 2013 budget expenditures.
    2. Receive an update on the Joint Committee on South Florida 
Management Issues activities and discuss the Florida Tarpon issue.
    3. Discuss Council Follow-up and Priorities and address other 
issues as appropriate.

Protected Resources Committee Agenda, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 1:30 
p.m. Until 3 p.m.

    1. Receive an update from the Southeast Regional Office (SERO) 
Protected Resources Division on the following: Atlantic Sturgeon; coral 
species; Right Whales and the interaction with the Black Sea Bass pot 
fishery; Nassau Grouper; and Herring.
    2. Receive briefings on the American Eel and Loggerhead Sea Turtles 
and critical habitat.
    3. Discuss updates and briefings and take action as appropriate.

Data Collection Committee Agenda, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 3 p.m. Until 
5 p.m.

    1. Receive an update on the status of the review of the Joint South 
Atlantic/Gulf Generic Dealer Amendment and the Joint South Atlantic/
Gulf Generic For-Hire Reporting Amendment (South Atlantic portion 
only); discuss the amendments and take action as appropriate.
    2. Receive a project report on the pilot study that tested the 
feasibility of electronic logbook reporting in the Gulf for for-hire 
vessels, including a briefing on the project findings and the next 
possible steps for the project. Discuss the report and the briefing and 
take action as appropriate.
    3. Receive an overview on the Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) 
Framework for Headboat Reporting in the Gulf; discuss the overview; 
provide guidance to staff; and approve the next steps for the CMP 
Framework.
    4. Receive an overview of both the Joint South Atlantic/Gulf 
Generic Commercial Logbook Reporting Amendment and the Joint South 
Atlantic/Gulf Generic Charterboat Reporting Amendment as well as an 
overview of Gulf actions for the amendments; discuss the overviews; 
provide guidance to staff; and recommend approval of the next steps for 
the amendments.
    5. Receive an overview of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center 
(SEFSC) sampling protocols (size/age) for biological samples and Red 
Snapper and Black Sea Bass research projects; discuss the overview; and 
take action as appropriate.

Council Session Agenda, Friday, June 14, 2013, 8 a.m. Until 1:30 p.m.

    8-8:15 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda, approve 
the May 2013 minutes, and receive a presentation.
    8:15-9 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Snapper 
Grouper Committee and is scheduled to approve Regulatory Amendments 14 
and 16 for public hearings. The Council will either approve or disprove 
Snapper Grouper Amendment 30 for formal Secretarial review. The Council 
will consider other Committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    9-9:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Joint 
Ecosystem-Based Management Committee and Habitat & Environmental 
Protection Committee and is scheduled to approve Coral Amendment 8 for 
public hearings. The Council will consider other Committee 
recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    9:15-9:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Dolphin 
Wahoo Committee and is scheduled to approve Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5 
for public hearings. The Council will consider other Committee 
recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    9:30-9:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SEDAR 
Committee and is scheduled to approve the SEDAR Research Plan. The 
Council is scheduled to approve the following: SEDAR 38 Schedule and 
TOR; SEDAR 32 and 36 TOR reviews; and participants for SEDAR 38 and 
SEDAR 36. The Council will consider other Committee recommendations and 
take action as appropriate.
    9:45-10 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Council 
Member Visioning Workshop and is scheduled to approve the Vision 
Statement. The Council will consider

[[Page 30868]]

other workshop recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    10-10:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the King & 
Spanish Mackerel Committee and is scheduled to approve the following 
for public hearings: Mackerel Amendment 19; Mackerel Amendment 20; and 
South Atlantic Framework actions. The Council will consider other 
Committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    10:15-10:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the AP 
Selection Committee and is scheduled to approve Committee 
recommendations for the appointment/reappointment of AP members. The 
Council will consider other Committee recommendations and take action 
as appropriate.
    10:30-10:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SSC 
Selection Committee and is scheduled to approve Committee 
recommendations for the appointment/reappointment of SSC members. The 
Council will consider other Committee recommendations and take action 
as appropriate.
    10:45-11 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Law 
Enforcement Committee and will choose the Law Enforcement Officer of 
the Year. The Council will consider other Committee recommendations and 
take action as appropriate.
    11-11:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Executive 
Finance Committee; will approve the Council Follow-up and Priorities 
documents; and will take action on the Florida Tarpon issue. The 
Council will consider other Committee recommendations and take action 
as appropriate.
    11:15-11:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Protected Resources Committee and will consider Committee 
recommendations. The Council will take action as appropriate.
    11:30-11:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Data 
Collection Committee and will consider Committee recommendations. The 
Council will take action as appropriate.
    11:45-1:30 p.m.: The Council will receive presentations and status 
reports from the NOAA Southeast Regional Office (SERO) and the NMFS 
SEFSC, including the status of Shrimp Amendment 9, which would expedite 
the closure process during severe cold events in order to protect 
overwintering shrimp populations and would revise the Minimum Stock 
Size Threshold (MSST) proxy for Pink Shrimp. The Council will review 
and develop recommendations on Experimental Fishing Permits as 
necessary; review agency and liaison reports; and discuss other 
business, including upcoming meetings. The Council will also hold a 
Closed Session to address litigation if necessary.
    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 group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to 
those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues 
arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action 
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management 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 auxiliary aids should be directed to the 
council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 days prior to the meeting.

    Note:  The times and sequence specified in this agenda are 
subject to change.


    Dated: May 20, 2013.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12281 Filed 5-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P