[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8061-8063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03071]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD763


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public 
Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold meetings of the: Joint Habitat and Environmental Protection 
Committee and the Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; the Law 
Enforcement Advisory Panel; Southeast Data, Assessment and Review 
(SEDAR) Committee (partially Closed); Scientific and Statistical 
Committee (SSC) Selection Committee; Protected Resources Committee; 
Spiny Lobster Committee, Snapper Grouper Committee; King and 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 Workshop for the 
Snapper Grouper Fishery. 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, March 2, 
2015 until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the King and Prince 
Hotel, 201 Arnold Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; telephone: (800) 
342-0212 or (912) 638-3631; fax: (912) 638-7699.
    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, Monday, March 2, 2015, 9 a.m. Until 
12 noon

    1. Council members will receive a recap of the December 2014 
Visioning Workshop, review the draft snapper grouper goals and 
objectives, receive a summary of statistics for the snapper grouper 
fishery, and discuss planning and timelines for collecting public input 
on the Draft Vision Blueprint.
    2. Council members will discuss next steps and provide guidance to 
staff.

Joint Habitat and Environmental Protection Committee and Ecosystem-
Based Management Committee, Monday, March 2, 2015, 1:30 p.m. Until 5:30 
p.m.

    1. The committees will receive an update on the status of Coral 
Amendment 8, an overview of the updated Beach Renourishment Policy 
Statement and hold a South Atlantic Ecosystem Session.
    2. The committees will develop recommendations and provide guidance 
to staff.

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel Meeting (Concurrent Session), Monday, 
March 2, 2015, 1:30 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m.

    1. The advisory panel (AP) will receive updates on recently 
completed and developing amendments to fishery management plans, 
receive a presentation on the status of Joint Enforcement Agreements, 
and overviews of the following amendments under development by the 
Council: Snapper Grouper Amendment 35 (removing species from the 
fishery management unit and measures to address endorsements for the 
commercial golden tilefish fishery); Snapper Grouper Amendment 36 
(Spawning Special Management Zones); and Regulatory Amendment 16 
(modifications to the black sea bass pot fishery seasonal closure). The 
AP will also discuss remote sensing as a tool to monitor marine 
protected area compliance.
    2. The AP will develop recommendations for the Council.

SEDAR Committee, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 8:30 a.m. Until 9 a.m. 
(Partially Closed)

    1. The committee will develop SEDAR appointment recommendations for 
the SEDAR 41 stock assessment (red snapper and gray triggerfish) Data 
Best Practices Procedure Workshop.
    2. The committee will receive an update on SEDAR Activities and 
updates from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC).

[[Page 8062]]

Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Selection Committee, 
Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 9 a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.

    1. The committee will review SSC policies and develop 
recommendations for modifications.

Protected Resources Committee, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 9:30 a.m. Until 
10:30 a.m.

    1. The committee will receive a report on ongoing formal 
consultations and other Protected Resources updates, a presentation the 
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Biological Opinion, an overview of Advanced 
Notice of Rulemaking and Request of Information for Coral, and an 
overview of the Endangered Species Act/Magnuson-Stevens Act Integration 
Agreement. The Council will discuss and take action as necessary.
    2. The committee will also receive an overview on Proposed 
Modifications to Right Whale Critical Habitat from NOAA Fisheries 
Southeast Regional Office (SERO) Protected Resources staff, discuss and 
take action as necessary.

Spiny Lobster Committee, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 10:30 a.m. Until 12 
noon

    1. The committee will receive an update on the status of commercial 
and recreational catches versus annual catch limits and a report on the 
Spiny Lobster Review Panel recommendations
    2. The committee will discuss the report, take action as necessary 
and provide direction to staff.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 1:30 p.m. Until 5 
p.m. and Wednesday, March 4, 2015 From 8:30 a.m. Until 5:30 p.m.

    1. The committee will receive updates from NOAA Fisheries on the 
status of catches versus annual catch limits and the status of 
amendments currently under formal Secretarial review.
    2. The committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 37 (Short-term measures relative to the Visioning Project, 
measures for hogfish, the jacks management complex, almaco jack trip 
limits, size limits on deepwater species, and measures for red 
grouper). The committee will develop recommendations for items to 
include in the amendment and timing for development.
    3. The committee will review Snapper Grouper Amendment 22 with 
management alternatives for developing a harvest tag program and 
provide guidance to staff.
    4. The committee will receive a report from the Atlantic Large 
Whale Take Reduction Team meeting, discuss the report and provide 
guidance to staff.
    5. The committee will review Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 
16 (Black sea bass pot closure), develop recommendations for modifying 
the document and select preferred management alternatives for the 
amendment.
    6. The committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 36 (Spawning Special Management Zones), review the decision 
document and develop recommendations as appropriate. The committee is 
scheduled to recommend approving the amendment for public hearings.
    7. The committee will receive an overview of the draft System 
Management Plan for Deepwater Marine Protected Areas and provide 
guidance to staff.
    8. The committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 35 (removing species from the management unit, golden 
tilefish endorsements), review public hearing comments, approve 
actions, and provide recommendations.
    9. The committee will address issues relative to increased blueline 
tilefish landings north of North Carolina. The committee will receive a 
briefing on legal issues and an overview of a decision document to 
address management issues. The committee will consider recommending an 
emergency rule or interim action as appropriate to address the 
increased landings, and provide guidance to staff on next steps and 
timing.

    Note: There will be an informal public question and answer 
session with the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Administrator and 
the Council Chairman on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, beginning at 5:30 
p.m.

King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, Thursday, March 5, 2015, 8:30 a.m. 
Until 12 noon

    1. The committee will receive an update on the status of commercial 
and recreational catches versus ACLs and an update on the status of 
amendments under Formal Review.
    2. The committee will receive a report from the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council meeting and actions taken.
    3. The committee will review public scoping comments.
    4. The committee will review the decision document for Coastal 
Migratory Pelagics (CMP) Amendment 26 addressing king mackerel ACLs, 
allocations, stock boundary options, and sales provisions, and provide 
direction to staff.
    5. The committee will receive an overview of options for separate 
South Atlantic and Gulf Fishery Management Plans for mackerel from NOAA 
General Counsel and Council staff, discuss, take action as necessary 
and provide direction to staff.

Executive Finance Committee, Thursday, March 5, 2015, 1:30 p.m. Until 
2:30 p.m.

    1. The committee will receive updates on the status of the 
Calendar-Year 2015 budget and budget expenditures.
    2. Address the Council Follow-up and priorities.
    3. Receive an update on the Joint South Florida Committee issues, a 
report from the Council Coordinating Committee meeting, an update on 
staff health insurance, and address other issues as appropriate.

Golden Crab Committee, Thursday, March 5, 2015, 2:30 p.m. Until 3:30 
p.m.

    The committee will receive a report on the status of catch versus 
ACLs for golden crab, an update on the status of Amendment 9 to the 
Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan (accountability measures), and a 
report from the Golden Crab AP meeting. The committee will provide 
recommendations as appropriate.

Data Collection Committee, Thursday, March 5, 2015, 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, a presentation on the Electronic 
Technology Implementation Plan (Data Collection and Monitoring), and an 
overview and status update on the Implementation Plan for Commercial 
Logbook Electronic Reporting. The committee will discuss and provide 
guidance to staff.
    2. The committee will also receive a presentation on the status of 
the commercial electronic logbook pilot project by NOAA Fisheries 
SEFSC, and an overview of the Gulf Council's action, status and next 
steps for the Joint South Atlantic and Gulf Council Generic Charterboat 
Reporting Amendment. The Committee will review the decision document 
for the amendment and provide guidance to staff.

    Note: A formal public comment session will be held on Thursday, 
March 5, 2015 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Public comment will be accepted 
on any 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.


[[Page 8063]]



Council Session: Friday, March 6, 2015, 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 December 2014 minutes.
    8:45 a.m.-9 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Snapper Grouper Committee and is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 36 for public hearings. 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 
and Spanish Mackerel Committee, consider committee recommendations and 
take action as appropriate.
    9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SSC 
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 
Council Member Visioning Workshop, consider recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    9:45 a.m.-10 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Joint 
Habitat and Environmental Protection Committee and Ecosystem-Based 
Management Committee, consider committee recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Protected Resources Committee, consider committee recommendations and 
take action as appropriate.
    10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
SEDAR 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 
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.
    10:45-11 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Golden 
Crab Committee, consider committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Data 
Collection Committee, consider recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Spiny Lobster Committee, consider committee recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    11:30 a.m.-12 noon: The Council will receive a presentation on 
Amendment 6 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery 
Management Plan from NOAA Fisheries.
    12 noon-12:15 p.m.: The Council will receive an update on the 
Marine Resources Education Program--Southeast.
    12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: The Council will receive status reports from 
NOAA Fisheries SERO and the SEFSC. 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 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: February 10, 2015.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03071 Filed 2-12-15; 8:45 am]
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