[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 167 (Monday, August 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59186-59189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20643]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE842


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.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold meetings of the: Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management 
Committee; Information and Education Committee, Scientific and 
Statistical Committee (SSC) Selection Committee (Closed Session); 
Advisory Panel (AP) Selection Committee (Closed Session); Southeast 
Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Snapper Grouper 
Committee; Joint Dolphin Wahoo, Snapper Grouper, and Mackerel Cobia 
Committees; Mackerel Cobia Committee; Law Enforcement Committee; 
Protected Resources Committee; Data Collection Committee; Highly 
Migratory Species (HMS) Committee; Executive Finance Committee; and a 
meeting of the Full Council. The Council will also hold a Parliamentary 
Practice Workshop, an informal Q&A session, and a formal public comment 
session. The Council will take action as necessary.

DATES: The Council meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. on Monday, 
September 12, 2016 until 1 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Marina Inn at 
Grande Dunes, 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572; phone: (877) 
403-7676 or (843) 913-1333; fax: (843) 913-1334.
    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]. Meeting information is 
available from the Council's Web site at: http://safmc.net/Sept2016CouncilMeeting.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public comment: Written comments may be directed to Gregg Waugh, 
Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (see 
ADDRESSES) or electronically via the Council's Web site at: http://safmc.net/Sept2016_CouncilMeeting_CommentForm. All comments must be 
received by September 5, 2016 in order to be considered by the Council 
prior to the meeting. For written comments received after the Monday 
before the meeting (after 9/5), individuals sending the comment must 
use the Council's online form available from the Web site. Comments 
will automatically be posted to the Web site and available for Council 
consideration. Comments received prior to noon on Thursday, September 
15, 2016 will be a part of the meeting administrative record.
    The items of discussion in the individual meeting agendas are as 
follows:

Parliamentary Practice Workshop, Monday, September 12, 2016, 8:30 a.m. 
Until 12 p.m.

    Council members will participate in a workshop on Parliamentary 
practice with a focus on Robert's Rules and effective communication.

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee Meeting, 
Monday, September 12, 2016, 1:30 p.m. Until 4 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a report from the Habitat Protection 
and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel and a summary of the Food 
Web & Connectivity and Climate Variability & Fisheries sections of the 
Council's Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP).
    2. The Committee will review policy considerations supporting 
Policy Statement Development, Habitat and Ecosystem Tools, and model 
development. The Committee will provide recommendations as appropriate.

Information and Education Committee, Monday, September 12, 2016, 4 p.m. 
Until 5 p.m.

    The Committee will receive an overview of the results of the 
Council's recent communications survey and an update on outreach 
activities. The Committee will provide guidance as needed.

[[Page 59187]]

SSC Selection Committee, Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 8:30 a.m. Until 
9:30 a.m. (Closed Session)

    The Committee will review applications for the SSC and provide 
recommendations for Council consideration.

AP Selection Committee, Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 9:30 a.m. Until 11 
a.m. (Closed Session)

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

SEDAR Committee, Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 11 a.m. Until 12 p.m.

    The Committee will receive updates on SEDAR projects and provide 
guidance on a Research Track Proposal and assessment priorities.
    Informal Q & A, Tuesday, September 13, 2016, beginning at 5:30 p.m. 
with Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs 
NOAA Fisheries; Dr. Roy Crabtree, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional 
Administrator; Dr. Bonnie Ponwith, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center Director; and Dr. Michelle Duval, South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council Chair.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 1:30 p.m. Until 
5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 8:30 a.m. Until 12 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive updates from NOAA Fisheries on the 
status of commercial catches versus quotas for species under Annual 
Catch Limits (ACLs) and the status of amendment currently under 
Secretarial review and take action as necessary.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of Snapper Grouper 
Amendment 37 addressing measures for hogfish, review comments on the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS), modify the document as appropriate, and 
approve for Secretarial review.
    3. The Committee will review Snapper Grouper Amendment 41 
addressing management measures for mutton snapper, consider public 
hearing comments, modify the document as appropriate, and approve all 
actions.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview of management options for 
red snapper to be addressed in Amendment 43, modify the document as 
necessary, approve for scoping, discuss and consider emergency action, 
and provide guidance to staff.
    5. The Committee will review management options to include in a 
Vision Blueprint Recreational Amendment, discuss and provide guidance 
to staff as necessary.
    6. The Committee will receive an overview of the assessment 
methodology used for golden tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic and the 
Council's rationale for not linking permits/catch history to 
endorsements, discuss changing the fishing year for the hook-and-line 
component of the commercial golden tilefish fishery and provide 
guidance as needed.
    7. The Committee will discuss changing the mesh size of black sea 
bass pots and take action as necessary.
    8. The Committee will receive an overview of the Red Grouper Stock 
Assessment and Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) report, discuss and provide 
guidance to staff.

Joint Dolphin Wahoo, Snapper Grouper, and Mackerel Cobia Committees, 
Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 1:30 p.m. Until 3:30 p.m.

    1. The Committees will receive status updates from NOAA Fisheries 
on commercial catches versus annual catch limits (ACLs) for dolphin and 
wahoo and amendments currently under Secretarial review.
    2. The Committees will receive an overview of Amendment 10 to the 
Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan (FMP)/Amendment 44 to the Snapper 
Grouper FMP addressing allocations for dolphin and yellowtail snapper, 
review scoping comments, and provide direction to staff as appropriate.
    3. The Committees will receive an overview of options for a Limited 
Entry program for federal For-Hire Permits in the Snapper Grouper, 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic, and Dolphin Wahoo fisheries in the South 
Atlantic/Atlantic. The Committees will discuss options and provide 
direction to staff.

Mackerel Cobia Committee, Wednesday, September 14, 2016: 3:30 p.m. 
Until 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, September 15, 2016: 8:30 a.m. Until 9:30 
a.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a report from NOAA Fisheries on 
commercial catches versus ACLs and the status of amendments under 
review, and an explanation of what happened with the cobia commercial 
overage in 2015. The Committee will discuss and take action as 
appropriate.
    2. The Committee will receive reports from the June/August 2016 
Gulf Council meetings, the August 2015 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
Commission (ASMFC) meeting, and the August 2016 Mid-Atlantic Council 
meeting, discuss and take action as appropriate.
    3. The Committee will receive a presentation on the South Carolina 
Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic cobia, discuss and take action 
as appropriate.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview of Framework Amendment 4 
to the Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP addressing management measures for 
Atlantic cobia, review public hearings comment, modify the document as 
needed, select preferred alternatives, and approve the document for 
Secretarial review. The Committee will also provide direction to staff 
on any emergency action and addressing any change to the fishing year 
for Atlantic cobia.
    5. The Committee will review Framework Amendment 5 to the Coastal 
Migratory Pelagic FMP that would remove current restrictions on 
commercial king mackerel and Spanish mackerel permits that prohibit the 
retention of bag limit king mackerel and Spanish mackerel on 
recreational (non-commercial and non-charter/headboat) trips on 
federally permitted vessels when commercial harvest is closed for the 
Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic regions. The Committee 
will review public input, modify the document as needed, select 
preferred alternatives, and approve for Secretarial review.
    6. The Committee will receive an overview of Amendment 29 to the 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic FMP to address allocations of Gulf migratory 
group king mackerel, select preferred alternatives, and modify as 
necessary.
    Formal Public Comment, Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 5:30 p.m.--
Public comment will be accepted on items on the Council agenda. Comment 
will be accepted first on items before the Council for Secretarial 
approval: (1) Snapper Grouper Amendment 37 (hogfish); (2) Coastal 
Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 4 (Atlantic cobia); and (3) 
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 5 (Modify permit 
restrictions). The Council Chair, based on the number of individuals 
wishing to comment, will determine the amount of time provided to each 
commenter.

Law Enforcement Committee, Thursday, September 15, 2016, 9:30 a.m. 
Until 10:30 a.m.

    The Committee will receive a summary report from the Joint meeting 
of the Law Enforcement Committee and Advisory Panel and provide 
recommendations as appropriate.

[[Page 59188]]

Protected Resources Committee, Thursday, September 15, 2016, 10:30 a.m. 
Until 11:30 a.m.

    The Committee will receive an update from NOAA Fisheries on 
Protected Resources issues including the Biological Opinion for the 
Snapper Grouper fishery and a 12-month determination for Nassau 
grouper. The Committee will also receive an update from the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service/ASMFC.

Data Collection Committee, Thursday, September 15, 2016, 1 p.m. Until 4 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update from NOAA Fisheries on the 
status of work relative to Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 3 
(CE-BA 3) addressing bycatch and the final Standardized Bycatch 
Reporting Methodology (SBRM) rule, discuss the amendment and provide 
direction to staff.
    2. The Committee will receive an update on the status of the 
Implementation Plan and cost analyses for commercial logbook electronic 
reporting, discuss and provide guidance to staff.
    3. The Committee will also receive an overview of the Atlantic For-
Hire Reporting Amendment, an update on the Council's for-hire pilot 
project, a report from the South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources on their for-hire logbook validation and verification 
project, and provide guidance as appropriate.
    4. The Committee will receive an update on the Council's Citizen 
Science Program, discuss, and take action as appropriate.

Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Committee, Thursday, September 15, 2016, 
4 p.m. Until 5 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the HMS Advisory Panel 
meeting, discuss and take action as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will receive a presentation from NOAA Fisheries 
HMS on the Proposed Rule/Environmental Assessment (EA) for non-
blacknose small coastal shark and blacknose shark fisheries and draft 
EA for HMS Amendment 10 addressing Essential Fish Habitat and Habitat 
Areas of Particular Concern, discuss and take action as necessary.

Executive Finance Committee, Thursday, September 15, 2016, 5 p.m. Until 
6 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of 
expenditures for Calendar Year (CY) 2016; review, modify, and approve 
the Council Follow-up and work priorities; and provide recommendations 
as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will discuss standards and procedures for 
participating in Council webinar meetings and for accepting public 
comment, review the Council/NOAA Fisheries/NOAA Regional Operations 
Agreement, and take action as appropriate.

Council Session: Friday, September 16, 2016, 8:30 a.m. Until 1 p.m.

    8:30-8:45 a.m.: Call the meeting to order, swearing in of new 
Council members, election of chair and vice-chair, adopt the agenda, 
and approve the June 2016 meeting minutes.
    8:45-9:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Snapper 
Grouper Committee and approve/disapprove Snapper Grouper Amendment 37 
(hogfish) for Secretarial review and approve Snapper Grouper Amendment 
43 (red snapper) for scoping. The Council will consider other Committee 
recommendations and take action as appropriate.
    9:30-10:00 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Mackerel Cobia Committee, approve/disapprove Coastal Migratory Pelagics 
Framework Amendment 4 (Atlantic cobia) for Secretarial review and 
approve/disapprove any cobia emergency action, approve/disapprove 
Framework Amendment 5 (Modifying permit restrictions) for Secretarial 
review, consider other Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    10 a.m.-10:10 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the HMS 
Committee, consider recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    10:10-10:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Joint 
Dolphin Wahoo, Snapper Grouper, and Mackerel Cobia Committees, consider 
recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    10:30-10:40 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Protected Resources Committee, consider recommendations and take action 
as appropriate.
    10:40-10:50 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Advisory Panel Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations, 
and take action as appropriate.
    10:50-11:00 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SSC 
Selection Committee, consider Committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    11:00- 11:10 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the SEDAR 
Committee, consider committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:10-11:20 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Data 
Collection Committee, consider committee recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    11:20-11:25 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, consider any 
committee recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    11:25-11:30 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the Law 
Enforcement Committee, consider recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:30-11:35 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Information and Education Committee, consider recommendations, and take 
action as appropriate.
    11:35-11:45 a.m.: The Council will receive a report from the 
Executive Finance Committee, approve the Council Follow-Up and 
Priorities, approve the Council/NOAA Fisheries/NOAA Regional Operations 
Agreement, consider other Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    11:45-1 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 action during this meeting. 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.



[[Page 59189]]


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

    Dated: August 24, 2016.
Jeffrey N. Lonergan,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20643 Filed 8-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P