[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72418-72421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29560]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE319


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 
(SAFMC).

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold meetings of the: Personnel Committee (Closed Session); Southeast 
Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Habitat Protection and 
Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee; 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Selection Committee (Closed 
Session); Information and

[[Page 72419]]

Education Committee; King and Spanish Mackerel Committee; Data 
Collection Committee; Dolphin Wahoo Committee; Spiny Lobster Committee; 
Protected Resources Committee; Executive Finance 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 a formal 
public comment session.

DATES: The Council meeting will be held from 8 a.m. on Monday, December 
7, 2015 until 3:30 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Doubletree by 
Hilton, 2717 W. Fort Macon Raod, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512; phone: 800/
222-8733 or 252/240-1155; fax 252/222-4065.
    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; phone: (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, December 7, 2015, 8 a.m. 
until 10:15 a.m.
    Council members will receive a recap of the October 2015 Council 
Visioning Workshop, review and approve the Vision Blueprint for the 
snapper grouper fishery, review the Evaluation Plan for the Vision 
Blueprint, and review/develop approaches for applying the blueprint.
    Personnel Committee, Monday, December 7, 2015, 10:15 a.m. until 6 
p.m. (Closed Session)
    The Committee will conduct interviews and provide recommendations 
for hiring a new Executive Director for the Council. Note: all Council 
members will participate in this Committee meeting.
    SEDAR Committee, Tuesday, December 8, 2015, 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
    1. The Committee will receive updates on SEDAR activities, review 
the SEDAR Steering Committee report and provide guidance as 
appropriate.
    2. The Committee will receive a presentation on NOAA Fisheries 
Assessment Prioritization, and discuss and provide guidance for 
application to Council stocks and SEDAR.
    Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, 
Tuesday, December 8, 2015, 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.
    1. The Committee will receive a report from the Habitat Advisory 
Panel and an overview of the redrafted Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 
Policy on Energy Exploration, Development and Transportation and 
provide recommendations as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the Fishery Ecosystem 
Plan II Development, EFH Updates and Regional Ecosystem Coordination, a 
presentation on Lenfest Fisheries Ecosystem Task Force Activities and 
provide recommendations as appropriate.
    Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, December 8, 2015, 1:30 p.m. 
until 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 9, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. until 
5:30 p.m.
    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of commercial 
and recreational catches versus quota for species under Annual Catch 
Limits (ACLs) and an update of actions currently under formal review by 
NOAA Fisheries.
    2. The Committee will receive a report from the Council's 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Snapper Grouper 
Advisory Panel.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Regulatory Amendment 16 addressing modifications of the current 
seasonal closure of the commercial black sea bass pot fishery, modify 
the document as appropriate and provide recommendations for approving 
the amendment for Secretarial Review.
    4. The Committee will review Snapper Grouper Amendment 37 
addressing measures for hogfish, discuss and modify the document as 
appropriate, select preferred management alternatives, and recommend 
approval for public hearing.
    5. The Committee will receive a report on a study on blueline 
tilefish stock identification, discuss management options and provide 
direction to staff.
    6. The Committee will review Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 
25 addressing management measures for blueline tilefish, yellowtail 
snapper, and black sea bass, consider public hearing input, modify the 
document as appropriate, select preferred alternatives, and provide 
recommendations for approval for Secretarial Review.
    7. The Committee will review Snapper Grouper Amendment 41 
addressing management measures for mutton snapper, modify the document 
as appropriate and provide recommendations for approval of the draft 
amendment for public scoping.
    8. The Committee will review Snapper Grouper Amendment 36 to 
establish Spawning Special Management Zones (SMZs), modify the document 
as necessary, select remaining preferred alternatives and approve all 
actions.
    9. The Committee will receive an overview of the System Management 
Plan for Deepwater Marine Protected Areas established in Snapper 
Grouper Amendment 14, modify the document as necessary and provide 
recommendations for approval.
    10. The Committee will receive an overview of management for red 
snapper, discuss management approaches and timing for addressing red 
snapper and provide direction to staff. The Committee will also discuss 
approaches to monitor recreational harvest of deepwater species and 
provide direction to staff.
    Formal Public Comment, Wednesday, December 9, 2015, 5:30 p.m.--
Public comment will first be accepted on items before the Council for 
final action: Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 16 (removal of the 
black sea bass pot closure) and Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25 
(blueline tilefish, yellowtail snapper and black sea bass). Public 
comment will then be accepted on any other items on the Council agenda. 
The Council Chair, based on the number of individuals wishing to 
comment, will determine the amount of time provided to each commenter.
    SSC Selection Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 8 a.m. until 
8:30 a.m. (Closed Session)
    The Committee will review applications and provide recommendations 
for appointment, and consider designating Social and Economic Scientist 
specific seats on the SSC.
    Information and Education Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 
8:30 a.m. until 9 a.m.
    The Committee will receive a report from the Information and 
Education Advisory Panel and provide recommendations as appropriate.
    King and Spanish Mackerel Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 9 
a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
    1. The Committee will receive updates on the status of recreational 
and commercial catches versus ACLs.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the decision document 
for Amendment 26 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management 
Plan, modify the document as appropriate, select preferred alternatives 
and provide

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recommendations for approval for public hearings.
    Data Collection Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 10:30 a.m. 
until 12 p.m.
    1. The Committee will receive an update on the Commercial Logbook 
Pilot Study and the Implementation Plan for Commercial Logbook 
Reporting, discuss and take action as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the South Atlantic 
For-Hire Reporting Amendment Decision Document, modify as appropriate, 
select preferred alternatives and provide recommendations for approval 
for public hearings. The Committee will also receive an update on the 
agenda for the upcoming Citizen Science Workshop, discuss, and take 
action as appropriate.
    Dolphin Wahoo Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 1:30 p.m. 
until 3 p.m.
    1. The Committee will receive updates on the status of recreational 
and commercial catches versus ACLs for dolphin and wahoo.
    2. The Committee will receive an update on the status of amendments 
under review and an overview of Regulatory Amendment 1 to the Dolphin 
Wahoo FMP to establish a commercial trip limit for the dolphin fishery 
in federal waters off the Atlantic coast. The Committee will review the 
document as appropriate, select preferred alternatives and provide 
recommendations as appropriate.
    3. The Committee will discuss actions to include in draft Amendment 
10 to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP and provide direction to staff.
    Spiny Lobster Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 3 p.m. until 
4 p.m.
    1. The Committee will receive updates on the status of recreational 
and commercial catches versus ACLs for spiny lobster.
    2. The Committee will review spiny lobster landings for 2014-2015, 
a notification from NOAA Fisheries regarding spiny lobster landings, 
and landings from pervious years, discuss landings and take action as 
necessary. The Committee will also discuss the need for a joint meeting 
of the Spiny Lobster Advisory Panels from both the South Atlantic and 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils and provide direction to 
staff.
    Protected Resources Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 4 p.m. 
until 5 p.m.
    1. The Committee will receive updates on protected resources 
related issues from NOAA Fisheries
    2. The Committee will review the compliance policy for turtle 
excluder devices in the Southeast shrimp fishery, the status of the 
Endangered Species Act/Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act Integration Agreement, and receive an update from the 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on protected resources related issues.
    Executive Finance Committee, Thursday, December 10, 2015, 5 p.m. 
until 6 p.m.
    1. The Committee will review the Calendar Year 2015 budget 
expenditures, Council Activities and Accomplishments during 2015, 
review the Council Follow-up and priorities, and provide 
recommendations as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will discuss standards and procedures for 
participating in Council webinar meetings, the concept of participating 
with the other Regional Fishery Management Councils in supporting a 
representative to look out for Council interests and to keep the 
Council informed, and address other issues as appropriate.
    Council Session: Friday, December 11, 2015 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
    8-8:15 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, adopt the agenda, and 
approve the September 2015 meeting minutes.
    8:15-9:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Snapper 
Grouper Committee, and approve/disapprove Snapper Grouper Regulatory 
Amendment 16 (removal of the black sea bass pots season) for formal 
Secretarial Review; approve/disapprove Snapper Grouper Regulatory 
Amendment 25 (blueline tilefish, yellowtail snapper and black sea bass) 
for formal Secretarial Review; approve/disapprove all actions in 
Snapper Grouper Amendment 36 (Spawning SMZs); approve/disapprove 
Snapper Grouper Amendment 37 (hogfish) for public hearing; and approve/
disapprove Snapper Grouper Amendment 41 (mutton snapper) for public 
scoping. The Council will consider other recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    9:15-9:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Mackerel 
Committee, approve/disapprove Amendment 26 to the Coastal Migratory 
Pelagics FMP for public hearings, consider other Committee 
recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    9:30-9:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a Council Member Visioning 
Workshop report, approve/disapprove the Vision Blueprint for the 
Snapper Grouper Fishery, approve/disapprove the Evaluation Plan for the 
Vision Blueprint, consider other Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    9:45-10 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Habitat 
Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, consider committee 
recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    10-10:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Protected 
Resources Committee, consider recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    10:15-10:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SEDAR 
Committee, consider Committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    10:45-11 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Executive 
Finance Committee, approve the Council Follow-Up and Priorities, 
consider other Committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11-11:15 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Dolphin 
Wahoo Committee, consider committee recommendations and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:15-11:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Data 
Collection Committee, approve/disapprove the South Atlantic For-Hire 
Reporting Amendment for public hearings, consider other Committee 
recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Spiny Lobster Committee, consider Committee recommendations and take 
action as appropriate.
    11:45-12 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SSC 
Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations and take action 
as appropriate.
    1:30-1:45 p.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Information and Education Committee, consider Committee recommendations 
and take action as appropriate.
    1:45-3:30 p.m.: The Council will receive status reports from NOAA 
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office and the Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center; review and develop recommendations on Experimental Fishing 
Permits as necessary; receive 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

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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: November 16, 2015.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-29560 Filed 11-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P