[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29169-29172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11745]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD301


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 of the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (SAFMC).

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a Visioning Project Workshop, receive a presentation from NOAA 
Fisheries on the Development of a National Recreational Fishing Policy, 
and hold a joint committee meeting of the Habitat & Environmental 
Protection Committee and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee. The 
Council will also hold meetings of the: Executive Finance Committee; 
Protected Resources Committee; Scientific and Statistical Committee 
(SSC) Selection Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Advisory Panel Selection 
Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Law Enforcement Committee (CLOSED SESSION); 
Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Snapper 
Grouper Committee; Joint committee meeting of the Dolphin Wahoo 
Committee and Snapper Grouper Committee; Highly Migratory Species (HMS) 
Committee; King & Spanish Mackerel Committee; Information and Education 
Committee; Golden Crab 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 9, 
2014 until 3:15 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2014.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meetings will be held at the Sawgrass 
Marriott, 1000 PGA Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082; telephone: 
(800) 457-4653 or (904) 285-7777; fax: (904) 285-0906.
    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:

Visioning Workshop, Monday, June 9, 2014, 9 a.m. Until 11:30 a.m.

    1. Introduction and overview of the port meetings.
    2. Review and discuss state port meeting summaries and comments 
received via port meeting discussion forms.
    3. Provide direction to staff regarding planning for next steps.

NOAA Fisheries Presentation on Development of a National Recreational 
Fishing Policy, Monday, June 9, 2014, 11:30 a.m. Until 12 Noon

    1. Staff from NOAA Fisheries will provide the Council with a 
presentation on the development of a National Recreational Fishing 
Policy.

Joint Habitat Committee and Ecosystem-Based Management Committees, 
Monday, June 9, 2014, 1:30 p.m. Until 3:30 p.m.

    1. Receive reports from meetings of the Habitat Advisory Panel 
(AP), Coral AP and Deepwater Shrimp AP.
    2. Review and approve redrafted Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) policy 
statements.
    3. Receive an update on the status of Coral Amendment 8 addressing 
Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) and transit through 
the Oculina Bank HAPC.
    4. Receive an update on ecosystem activities.

Executive Finance Committee, Monday, June 9, 2014, 3:30 p.m. Until 4:30 
p.m.

    1. Approve the Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Council budget.

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    2. Receive updates on the status of the CY 2014 budget 
expenditures.
    3. Address the Council Follow-up and priorities.
    4. Receive an update on the Joint Committee on South Florida 
Management Issues.
    5. Receive an overview of proposed Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act bills, a report on the Council 
Coordinating Committee meeting, an update on the status of the NOAA 
Fisheries Beaufort Lab, and address other issues as appropriate.

Protected Resources Committee, Monday, June 9, 2014, 4:30 p.m. Until 
5:30 p.m.

    1. Receive an update on ongoing consultations from the NOAA 
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office (SERO) Protected Resources 
Division.
    2. Receive a report on: The final Biological Opinion for the 
Southeastern Shrimp Fisheries; a report on the final determination for 
coral listings; and the proposed critical habitat for loggerhead sea 
turtles.
    3. Develop committee recommendations as appropriate.

SSC Selection Committee (Closed Session), Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 8:30 
a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.

    Review SSC applications and develop recommendations for 
appointments and/or reappointments.

AP Selection Committee (Closed Session), Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 9:30 
a.m. Until 10:30 a.m.

    1. Review advisory panel applications and develop recommendations 
for appointments and/or reappointments.
    2. Develop committee recommendations as appropriate.

Law Enforcement Committee (Closed Session), Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 
10:30 a.m. Until 11 a.m.

    Develop recommendations for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 
Award.

SEDAR Committee, Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 11 a.m. Until 12 Noon

    1. Receive an update on SEDAR activities.
    2. Receive an overview on the Council's assessment priorities.
    3. Receive the SEDAR Steering Committee Report, an overview of the 
South Atlantic Fishery Dependent Workshop and the Council's assessment 
peer review process.
    4. Review the 2014 research and monitoring plan.

Snapper Grouper Committee Agenda, Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 1:30 p.m. 
Until 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 5 p.m.

    1. Receive and discuss the status of commercial and recreational 
catches versus quotas for species under Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) with 
an overview of the commercial golden tilefish overage. The committee 
will take action as appropriate.
    2. Receive an update on the status of Snapper Grouper amendments 
under formal Secretarial review.
    3. Receive a report on the 2014 Red Snapper Season.
    4. Receive an report from the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and 
the Scientific and Statistical Committee and take action as 
appropriate.
    5. Receive a report on the status of the Oculina Experimental 
Closed Area (OECA) evaluation team work, review, modify and approve the 
Evaluation Report, determine if any changes are necessary to the OECA, 
and provide guidance to staff.
    6. Receive an update on South Atlantic fishery-independent surveys.
    7. Review Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 16 (removal of the 
black sea bass pot closure), modify the draft document, choose 
preferred management alternatives, and provide guidance.
    8. Review Snapper Grouper Amendment 22 (tags to track recreational 
harvest), discuss the amendment, and provide guidance to staff.
    9. Review Snapper Grouper Amendment 29 addressing Only Reliable 
Catch Stocks (ORCS) and management measures for gray triggerfish; 
modify the amendment as appropriate and make recommendations to approve 
the amendment for formal review.
    10. Review the options paper for Snapper Grouper Amendment 32 
addressing blueline tilefish; modify the document, select preferred 
alternatives and approve the amendment for public hearings.
    11. Review Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 20 addressing snowy 
grouper; modify the document, select preferred alternatives and approve 
the amendment for public hearings.
    12. Review the approach and options for setting gag and wreckfish 
fishing level recommendations, including recommendations from the SSC. 
Approve the approach, alternatives and provide guidance on timing to 
staff.
    13. Review the Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 17 scoping 
document addressing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and a potential 
alternative approach, modify the scoping document as appropriate and 
approve for scoping.
    14. Review a draft letter supporting the renewal of Corps of 
Engineers permits for artificial reef construction off the Northeast 
coast of Florida and take action as appropriate.
    15. Review the scoping document for Snapper Grouper Amendment 35 
addressing species removal, modify as appropriate and approve for 
scoping.
    16. Review the joint South Atlantic and Gulf Generic Amendment, 
modify as appropriate and provide guidance to staff.
    17. Discuss the golden tilefish longline endorsement/hook and line 
issue for the commercial fishery and take action as necessary.

    Note: There will be an informal public question and answer 
session with the NMFS Regional Administrator and the Council 
Chairman on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Joint Dolphin Wahoo Committee and Snapper Grouper Committees, Thursday, 
June 12, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 10 a.m.

    1. Receive and discuss the status of commercial and recreational 
catches versus ACLs for dolphin and wahoo.
    2. Receive an update on the status of Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5, 
pertaining to bag limit sale of fish and changes to the ACL and the 
Allowable Biological Catch (ABC).
    3. Receive a report from the Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel.
    4. Review Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 7 and Snapper Grouper Amendment 
33 regarding the issue of transport of fillets from Bahamian waters 
into United States waters, modify the amendments as appropriate and 
approve for public hearings.
    5. Review and discuss the Generic Accountability Measures and 
Dolphin Allocation Amendment, modify as appropriate, and approve for 
public hearings.

Highly Migratory Species Committee, Thursday, June 12, 2014, 10 a.m. 
Until 11 a.m.

    1. Discuss shark interaction with South Atlantic fisheries and 
provide guidance to staff.

King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, Thursday, June 12, 2014, 11 a.m. 
Until 12 Noon and 1:30 p.m. Until 2:30 p.m.

    1. Receive and discuss the status of commercial and recreational 
catches versus ACLs for Atlantic Group king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, 
and cobia.

[[Page 29171]]

    2. Receive an update on the status of amendments under Formal 
Review and a report from the King and Spanish Mackerel Advisory Panel.
    3. Review the Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) Framework Amendment 
2 addressing Spanish Mackerel trip limits, modify the document as 
appropriate, select preferred alternatives and approve for public 
hearings.
    4. Review the options paper for Joint CMP Amendment 24 addressing 
allocations and shifts in ACLs and provide directions to staff.

Information and Education Committee, Thursday, June 12, 2014, 2 p.m. 
Until 3 p.m.

    1. Receive a report from the Information and Education Advisory 
Panel.
    2. Receive a summary of the Council-hosted Science Communication 
Workshop.

Golden Crab Committee, Thursday, June 12, 2014, 3 p.m. Until 4 p.m.

    1. Receive an update on the status of Commercial Catch versus ACL 
for the golden crab fishery.
    2. Receive a report from the Golden Crab Advisory Panel meeting and 
provide guidance to staff.
    3. Review the Generic Accountability Measures and Dolphin 
Allocation Amendment, revise the amendment as appropriate and approve 
for public hearing.

Data Collection Committee, Thursday, June 12, 2014, 4 p.m. Until 5 p.m.

    1. Receive an update on the status of the Joint Gulf and South 
Atlantic Council Generic Dealer Amendment and take action as 
appropriate.
    2. Receive a presentation on the Electronic Technology (Data 
Collection and Monitoring) Implementation Plan and take action as 
appropriate.
    3. Receive a presentation on the status of work in the northeast 
relative to the Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 3 and take 
action as appropriate.
    4. Review an options paper on how commercial fishermen could report 
electronically and via paper and provide guidance to staff.
    5. Receive an update on the Commercial Logbook Pilot Study and take 
action as appropriate.
    6. Review the Joint South Atlantic and Gulf Council Generic 
Charterboat Reporting Amendment, including an overview of the Gulf 
Council's actions, status and next steps, receive a report from the 
Technical Committee, and take action as appropriate.

    Note: A formal public comment session will be held on Thursday, 
June 12, 2014, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Snapper Grouper Amendment 
29. Following comment on Amendment 29, public comment will be 
accepted regarding any other items 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.

Council Session: Friday, June 13, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 3:15 p.m.

    8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda, 
approve the March 2014 minutes, and presentations.
    8:45 a.m.-9 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Snapper Grouper Committee and is scheduled to either approve or 
disapprove Snapper Grouper Amendment 29 for formal Secretarial review. 
The Council will also consider approving or disapproving the following 
amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for public 
hearings: Amendment 32, Amendment 33, and Regulatory Amendment 20. The 
Council will also consider approving or disapproving Regulatory 
Amendment 17 for public scoping. The Council will consider other 
Committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    9 a.m.-9:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the King & 
Spanish Mackerel Committee and is scheduled to approve or disapprove 
the South Atlantic Spanish Mackerel Framework Amendment 2 for public 
hearings. The Council will consider other Committee recommendations and 
take action as appropriate.
    9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Dolphin Wahoo Committee. The Council is scheduled to approve or 
disapprove Amendment 7 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan and 
the Generic Allocation and Accountability Measures Amendment for public 
hearings. The Council will consider Committee recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    9:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Council Member Visioning Workshop, consider recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    9:45 a.m.-10 a.m.: The Council will receive the Law Enforcement 
Committee Report and determine the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 
recipient. The Council will consider other committee recommendations 
and take action as appropriate.
    10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Joint Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Amendment Committee and approve or 
disapprove the updated EFH Policy Statements. The Council will consider 
other committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Protected Resources Committee, consider Committee recommendations and 
will take action as appropriate.
    10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
SEDAR Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    10:45 a.m.-11 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Advisory Panel Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations 
and appoint and/or reappoint members to its advisory panels. The 
Council will consider other recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from its 
Executive Finance Committee and is scheduled to approve the CY 2014 
Council budget, Council Follow-up and Priorities documents. The Council 
will take action on the South Florida Management issues as appropriate, 
consider other Committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Data Collection Committee, consider recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
SSC Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations and appoint 
and/or reappoint members to its SSC. The Council will consider other 
recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    11:45 a.m.-12 noon: The Council will receive a report from the HMS 
Committee, consider Committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    1:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Golden Crab Committee, and approve or disapprove the Generic 
Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment for public 
hearing. The Council will consider other Committee recommendations and 
take action as appropriate.
    1:45 p.m.-2 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Information and Education Committee, consider Committee 
recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.: The Council will receive status reports from NOAA 
Fisheries SERO and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The Council 
will review and develop

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recommendations on Experimental Fishing Permits as necessary; review 
agency and liaison reports; and discuss other business and 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 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.


    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 16, 2014.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-11745 Filed 5-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P