[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 61 (Friday, March 31, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16027-16028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06377]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF321


Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of meetings of the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and SSC Socio-
Economic Panel (SEP).

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a meeting of its SSC and SEP. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

DATES: The SEP will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 24, 
2017; and 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Tuesday, April 25, 2017. The SSC will 
meet from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017; 8:30 a.m. to 
5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2017; and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 
Thursday, April 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES:
    Meeting address: The meetings will be held at the Town & Country 
Inn and Suites, 2008 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407; phone: (800) 
334-6660 or (843) 571-1000; fax: (843) 766-9444.
    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, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; 
phone: (843) 571-4366 or toll free: (866) SAFMC-10; fax: (843) 769-
4520; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following items will be discussed by the 
SEP and SSC during these meetings:

SEP Meeting, Monday, April 24, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until Tuesday, April 25, 
2017, 12 Noon

    1. Human environment sections of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan.
    2. Snapper Grouper socio-economic profile.
    3. Potential socio-economic survey in the South Atlantic.
    4. Socio-economic components of the charter/headboat logbook 
questionnaire.
    5. Analysis of fishing behavior.
    6. Economic and social indicators of stock abundance.
    7. Recent and developing Council actions.

SSC Meeting, Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until Thursday, April 
27, 2017, 3 p.m.

    1. Receive updates on 2016-2017 landings, annual catch limits 
(ACLs), Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) and accountability 
measures (AMs) the Southeast Fishery Independent Survey (SEFIS) fishery 
independent index; planning for the next meeting of the Council 
Coordination Committee's Scientific Coordination Committee; recent 
Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment program 
activities including review of Vermilion Snapper Terms of Reference and 
assessment project schedule; the proposed research track assessment 
approach; and Council future assessment priorities.
    2. Review updated golden tilefish projections and further consider 
fishing level recommendations.
    3. Review the Red Grouper Stock Assessment and provide fishing 
level recommendations.
    4. Discuss ABC Control Rule modifications.
    5. Review Snapper Grouper Amendment 43 (management options for red 
snapper and recreational reporting) and consider the Council request to 
work with the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) to explore 
approaches for obtaining an ABC for red snapper.
    6. Discuss uncertainty in the Marine Recreational Information 
Program (MRIP) estimates and a future joint SSC meeting with the Gulf 
of Mexico Fishery Management Council's SSC.

[[Page 16028]]

    7. Review the South Atlantic Research Plan and make research 
recommendations.
    8. Review and comment on the NOAA Fisheries draft Stock Assessment 
Improvement Plan.
    9. Discuss using the SSC's Complex Analysis Review process for the 
black sea bass bag and size limit analysis.
    10. Provide guidance on the SSC's future review of natural 
mortality estimation.
    11. Receive updates and progress reports on ongoing Council 
amendments and activities, including the Citizen Science Program.

    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 intent to 
take final action to address the emergency.
    Written comment on SSC agenda topics is to be distributed to the 
Committee through the Council office, similar to all other briefing 
materials. Written comment to be considered by the SSC shall be 
provided to the Council office no later than one week prior to an SSC 
meeting. For this meeting, the deadline for submission of written 
comment is 12 p.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
    Multiple opportunities for comment on agenda items will be provided 
during SSC meetings. Open comment periods will be provided at the start 
of the meeting and near the conclusion. Those interested in providing 
comment should indicate such in the manner requested by the Chair, who 
will then recognize individuals to provide comment. Additional 
opportunities for comment on specific agenda items will be provided, as 
each item is discussed, between initial presentations and SSC 
discussion. Those interested in providing comment should indicate such 
in the manner requested by the Chair, who will then recognize 
individuals to provide comment. All comments are part of the record of 
the meeting.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests 
for auxiliary aids should be directed to the SAFMC office (see 
ADDRESSES) at least 10 business 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: March 28, 2017.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06377 Filed 3-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P