[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 220 (Friday, November 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68218-68221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27000]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD614


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (SAFMC).

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold meetings of the: Habitat and Environmental Protection Committee; 
Protected Resources Committee; Personnel Committee (closed session); 
Advisory Panel Selection Committee (closed session); Southeast Data, 
Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee; a 
joint meeting of the Dolphin Wahoo Committee and Snapper Grouper 
Committee; King & Spanish Mackerel Committee; Executive Finance 
Committee; Golden Crab Committee; Data Collection Committee; and a 
meeting of the Full Council. The Council will also hold a Council 
Member Visioning Project Workshop

[[Page 68219]]

and receive a presentation on the Biscayne National Park Fishery 
Management Plan as part of the meeting. 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, December 
1, 2014 until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014.

ADDRESSES:
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Doubletree 
Riverfront Hotel, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560; telephone: 
(252) 638-3585.
    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 Visioning Workshop, Monday, December 1, 2014, 9 a.m. Until 12 
Noon

    Council members will receive a recap the October 2014 Visioning 
Workshop, review the draft Snapper Grouper goals and objectives, 
continue to work on the Visioning process and provide direction to 
staff.

Presentation: Biscayne National Park Fishery Management Plan, Monday, 
December 1, 2014, 1:30 p.m. Until 2:30 p.m.

    Council members will receive a presentation on the Biscayne 
National Park Fishery Management Plan.

Habitat and Environmental Protection Committee, Monday, December 1, 
2014, 2:30 p.m. Until 4 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of Amendment 
8 to the Coral Fishery Management Plan addressing expansion of 
deepwater coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, receive an update 
on the rock shrimp Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and bycatch analysis, 
and provide direction to staff.
    2. The Committee will receive a briefing on the proposed nomination 
for an Oculina National Marine Sanctuary.

Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Selection Committee, Monday, 
December 1, 2014, 4 p.m. Until 4:30 p.m.

    The Committee will review the SSC polices and provide guidance to 
staff on any policy revisions.

Protected Resources Committee, Monday, December 1, 2014, 4:30 p.m. 
Until 5:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a report on formal consultations and 
other Protected Resources updates, and receive an overview of the 
Nassau Grouper Proposed Rule. The committee will discuss and take 
action as necessary.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the Atlantic Large 
Whale Take Reduction Plan requirements, discuss and take action as 
necessary. The Committee will also receive updates on American Eel 
status and the Atlantic sturgeon stock assessment.

Personnel Committee, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 9:30 
a.m. (Closed Session)

    The Committee will conduct the Executive Director's performance 
review and receive a briefing on proposed changes to the staff's health 
insurance.

Advisory Panel Selection Committee, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 9:30 
a.m. Until 11 a.m. (Closed Session)

    The Committee will review applications for open seats and provide 
recommendations to Council for consideration.

SEDAR Committee, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 11 a.m. Until 12 Noon

    The Committee will receive an update on SEDAR activities and 
develop guidance for the Council's SEDAR Steering Committee members.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 1:30 p.m. Until 
5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 3, 2014 From 8:30 a.m. Until 5 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of amendments 
currently under review, a report from the Snapper Grouper Advisory 
Panel, and a report from the Scientific and Statistical Committee.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Regulatory Amendment 16 addressing the current seasonal closure for the 
black sea bass pot fishery, and presentations on analyses conducted by 
Council staff, analyses conducted by NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional 
Office, and on risk of entanglement changes for pot gear since the 2006 
Biological Opinion from NOAA Fisheries. The Committee will modify the 
document, choose preferred alternatives if possible, and is scheduled 
to recommend approval of the amendment for public hearings.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Regulatory Amendment 22 addressing proposed management measures for gag 
and wreckfish and public comment received. The Committee will review 
the document, modify as necessary and is scheduled to recommend 
approving the amendment for formal Secretarial review.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 22 addressing the use of tags to track harvest. The Committee 
will receive a presentation from the North Carolina Division of Marine 
Fisheries on the Catch Card Program, discuss the draft amendment, and 
provide guidance to staff.
    5. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 36 pertaining to Spawning Special Management Zones. The 
Committee will receive a presentation on observations of spawning 
activity, review the amendment, modify as needed, and provide guidance 
to staff.
    6. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 35 addressing the removal of species from the Snapper Grouper 
Fishery Management Unit and measures affecting endorsements for the 
commercial golden tilefish fishery. The Committee will review the 
amendment, modify as appropriate, and is scheduled to approve the 
amendment for public hearing.

    Note:  There will be an informal public question and answer 
session with the NMFS Regional Administrator and the Council 
Chairman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Joint Snapper Grouper Committee and Dolphin Wahoo Committee, Thursday, 
December 4, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 10:30 a.m.

    1. The Committees will receive an update on the status of 
commercial and recreational catches versus annual catch limits (ACLs) 
for dolphin and wahoo. The Committees will also receive an overview of 
Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 7/Snapper Grouper Amendment 33 pertaining to 
measures to allow fillets to be brought back into the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone from The Bahamas. The Committees will review the Decision 
Document, modify the amendment as appropriate, and is scheduled to 
approve the amendment for formal Secretarial review.

[[Page 68220]]

    2. The Committees will receive an overview of the Generic 
Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment, review the 
Decision Document, modify the amendment as appropriate, and is 
scheduled to approve the amendment for Secretarial review.

King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, Thursday, December 4, 2014, 10:30 
a.m. Until 12 Noon

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of amendments 
under formal review and a report from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council meeting.
    2. The Committee will receive overview of the SEDAR 38 stock 
assessment for king mackerel, receive a report from the SSC, and take 
action as necessary to specify any changes to the ACLs through the 
development of future amendments.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of a Discussion Paper for 
Amendment 24 addressing ACLs and allocations for Atlantic Spanish 
Mackerel and provide direction to staff.

Executive Finance Committee, Thursday, December 4, 2014, 1:30 p.m. 
Until 2:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of the 
Calendar Year 2014 budget expenditures, review the Council Follow Up 
document and priorities, receive an update on Joint South Florida 
Committee issues and address other issues as appropriate.

Golden Crab Committee, Thursday, December 4, 2014, 2:30 p.m. Until 3:30 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on commercial catches 
versus the ACL for golden crab.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the Generic 
Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment, review and 
modify the amendment as appropriate, and is scheduled to approve the 
amendment for submission to the Secretary of Commerce.

Data Collection Committee, Thursday, December 4, 2014, 3:30 p.m. Until 
5 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of work on 
Bycatch Reporting in the Southeast from NOAA Fisheries, a presentation 
on the Electronic Technology Implementation Plan for data collection 
and monitoring, an overview status update on the Implementation Plan 
for Commercial Logbook Electronic Reporting, and a presentation on the 
status of the commercial electronic logbook pilot project. The 
Committee will provide direction to staff as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will also receive an overview of the Joint South 
Atlantic and Gulf Council Generic Charterboat Reporting Amendment, 
including actions by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, a 
final report from the Technical Committee, and provide guidance to 
staff as appropriate.

    Note:  A formal public comment session will be held on Thursday, 
December 4, 2014, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Public comment will be 
accepted on the following items scheduled for final Council action 
at this meeting: (1) Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 22 (gag 
and wreckfish); (2) Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 7/Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 33 (fillets from The Bahamas); and (3) Generic 
Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment. Following 
comment on these amendments, public comment will be accepted 
regarding any other items on the Council agenda. The Chairman, based 
on the number of individuals wishing to comment, will determine the 
amount of time provided to each commenter.

Council Session: Friday, December 5, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 1:30 p.m.

    8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda, 
and approve the September 2014 minutes.
    8:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Snapper Grouper Committee and is scheduled to either approve or 
disapprove Regulatory Amendment 22 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery 
Management Plan for formal Secretarial review. The Council will also 
consider approving or disapproving Amendment 35 and Regulatory 
Amendment 16 for public hearings, 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 
King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, consider Committee recommendations 
and take action as appropriate.
    9:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SSC 
Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations and take action 
as appropriate.
    9:45 a.m.-10 a.m.: The Council will receive the Council Visioning 
Workshop Report, consider recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Habitat Committee, consider 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 
take action as appropriate.
    10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Advisory Panel Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations 
for appointment/reappointment of new members and will take action as 
appropriate. The Council will consider other Committee recommendations 
and take action as appropriate.
    10:45 a.m.-11 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
SEDAR Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    11 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Joint Dolphin Wahoo and Snapper Grouper Committees and approve or 
disapprove Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 7 and Snapper Grouper Amendment 33 
(fillets from the Bahamas) for formal Secretarial review. The Council 
will 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 
Executive Finance Committee, approve the Council Follow Up and 
Priorities, take action on the South Florida Management issues as 
appropriate, and consider Committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Golden Crab Committee, approve or disapprove the Generic Accountability 
Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment for formal review, consider 
other Committee recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    11:45 a.m.-12 noon: The Council will receive a report from the Data 
Collection Committee, consider Committee recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    12 noon-1:30 p.m.: The Council will receive status reports from 
NOAA Fisheries SERO and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The 
Council will review and develop 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 these groups 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

[[Page 68221]]

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: November 10, 2014.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27000 Filed 11-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P