[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 43860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17511]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC731


Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of scoping meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping 
meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the 
local agencies representatives on the development of island-specific 
fishery management plans for Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, USVI and 
St. Croix, USVI. A fishery management plan will be developed for each 
of these areas.
    The document entitled ``Development of a Comprehensive Fishery 
Management Plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone of St. Thomas/St. John, 
USVI,'' will consider the following alternative actions:
    Action 1: Establish the fishery management units (FMUs) for the 
comprehensive St. Thomas/St/John fishery management plan (FMP).
    Action 2: Revise the species composition of the comprehensive St. 
Thomas/St. John FMP.
    Action 3: Establish management reference points for any new species 
added to the comprehensive St. Thomas/St. John FMP.
    Action 4: Modify or establish additional management measures.
    The document entitled ``Development of a Comprehensive Fishery 
Management Plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone of St. Croix, USVI,'' 
will consider the following alternative actions:
    Action 1: Establish the fishery management units (FMUs) for the 
comprehensive St. Croix, USVI fishery management plan (FMP).
    Action 2: Revise the species composition of the comprehensive St. 
Croix FMP.
    Action 3: Establish management reference points for any new species 
added to the comprehensive St. Croix, USVI FMP.
    Action 4: Modify or establish additional management measures.
    The document entitled ``Development of a Comprehensive Fishery 
Management Plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone of Puerto Rico,'' will 
consider the following alternative actions:
    Action 1: Establish the fishery management units (FMUs) for the 
comprehensive Puerto Rico fishery management plan (FMP).
    Action 2: Revise the species composition of the comprehensive 
Puerto Rico FMP.
    Action 3: Establish management reference points for any new species 
added to the comprehensive Puerto Rico FMP.
    Action 4: Modify or establish additional management measures.
    The comprehensive plans will incorporate and modify, as needed, 
federal fishery management measures included in each of the existing 
species based management plans (Spiny Lobster, Reef Fish, Coral and 
Queen Conch). The goal is to create management plans tailored to the 
specific fishery management needs of each area. If approved, these new 
management plans being developed for each area; St. Thomas/St. John, 
USVI; St. Croix, USVI, and Puerto Rico, will replace the current 
species-based plans presently governing commercial and recreational 
harvest in the U.S. Caribbean federal waters.
    Dates and Addresses: Due to the tropical storm Chantel the scoping 
meetings in these locations could not be held. The rescheduled scoping 
meetings will be held on the following dates and locations:
    In Puerto Rico:
    August 5, 2013--7 p.m.-10 p.m.--Mayaguez Resort & Casino, Route 
104, Km 0.3, Mayag[uuml]ez 00680, Puerto Rico.
    August 6, 2013--7 p.m.-10 p.m.--at the Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical 
Casino, 3315 Ponce By Pass, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
    In the U.S. Virgin Islands:
    August 6, 2013--7 p.m.--10 p.m.--Windward Passage Hotel, Charlotte 
Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
270 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 401, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918-
1903, telephone: (787) 766-5926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
will hold scoping meetings to receive public input on the management 
options mentioned above. The complete document is available at: 
www.caribbeanfmc.com or you may contact Ms. Livia Montalvo at [email protected], or the Council office at (787) 766-5926 to 
obtain copies.
    Written comments can be sent to the Council not later than July 31, 
2013, by regular mail to the address below, or via email to [email protected].

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. For more information or request for sign language 
interpretation and other auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. Miguel A. 
Rol[oacute]n, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
270 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 401, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 
00918-1903, telephone: (787) 766-5926, at least 5 days prior to the 
meeting date.

    Dated: June 17, 2013.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17511 Filed 7-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P