[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23531-23534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10489]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF439


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

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hold meetings of the: Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 
Selection Committee (Closed Session); Advisory Panel Selection 
Committee (Partially Closed); Southeast Data, Assessment and Review 
(SEDAR) Committee (Partially Closed); Spiny Lobster Committee; Highly 
Migratory Species Committee, Law Enforcement Committee (Partially 
Closed); Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; 
Dolphin Wahoo Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee; Citizen Science 
Committee (Partially Closed); Mackerel Cobia Committee; Data Collection 
Committee; and Executive Finance Committee. There will also be a 
Workshop for Improving Survival of Released Fish during the meeting 
week and a meeting of the full Council. 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 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 
12, 2017 until 1 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meetings will be held at the Sawgrass 
Marriott, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; phone: (800) 457-
4653 or (904) 285-7777; fax: (904) 285-0906.
    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/meetings/council-meetings/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public comment: Written comments may be 
directed to Gregg Waugh, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (see Council address) or electronically via the 
Council's Web site at http://safmc.net/meetings-documents/june-2017-meeting-details/. The public comment form is open for use when the 
briefing book is posted to the Web site on the Friday, two weeks prior 
to the Council meeting (5/26/17). Comments received by close of 
business the Monday before the meeting (6/5/17) will be compiled, 
posted to the Web site as part of the meeting materials, and included 
in the administrative record; please use the Council's online form 
available from the Web site. For written comments received after the 
Monday before the meeting (after 6/5/17), individuals submitting a 
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, 
June 15, 2017 will be a part of the meeting administrative record. The 
items of discussion in the individual meeting agendas are as follows:

Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Selection Committee (Closed 
Session), Monday, June 12, 2017, 8:30 a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.

    1. The Committee will review applications for appointments to the 
SSC and provide recommendations.

AP Selection Committee, Monday, June 12, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Until 10:30 
a.m. (Partially Closed Session)

Closed Session

    1. The Committee will review applicants to the Citizen Science 
Advisory Panel Pool and provide recommendations.
    2. The Committee will discuss the current structure and function of 
the Cobia Sub-panel of the Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, discuss 
options for an open Cobia Sub-panel seat, and discuss a petition sent 
to Council members concerning a Cobia Sub-panel member.

Open Session

    3. The Committee will discuss the proposed process for future 
appointments to the Citizen Science Advisory Panel (AP) Pool and SEDAR 
AP Pool and provide recommendations.
    SEDAR Committee (Partially Closed Session), Monday, June 12, 2017, 
10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Closed Session

    1. The Committee will provide recommendations for appointment to 
upcoming SEDAR assessments.

Open Session

    1. The Committee will receive an update on SEDAR projects including 
the status of on-going projects, schedule for the vermilion snapper 
stock assessment and Terms of Reference, and take action as necessary.
    2. The Committee will also discuss the stock assessment process and 
schedule with a report from the SEDAR Steering Committee, an update on 
plans for a joint meeting of the South Atlantic Council and Gulf of 
Mexico Councils SSCs, and an SSC report relative to future priorities 
and research track. The Committee will provide recommendations as 
appropriate.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of NOAA Fisheries' Stock 
Assessment Improvement Plan (SAIP) Updates, review SSC comments and 
provide recommendations as appropriate.

Spiny Lobster Committee, Monday, June 12, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until 2:30 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of catches 
versus annual catch limits (ACLs) for spiny lobster, review Spiny 
Lobster Regulatory Amendment 4 addressing management parameters 
including Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and ACLs, and the use of 
traps to recreationally harvest spiny lobster. The Committee will 
provide recommendations for approving the amendment for submission to 
the Secretary of Commerce for review.
    2. The Committee will also receive updates on measures to align 
federal regulations with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission 
regulations for spiny lobster.

Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Committee, Monday, June 12, 2017, 2:30 
p.m. Until 3:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will review a white paper on HMS general category 
permit holders' compliance with U.S. Coast Guard commercial vessel 
safety requirements and receive an overview of shark feeding 
activities. The Committee will take action as appropriate.

Workshop on Improving Survival of Released Fish--Monday, June 12, 2017, 
3:30 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m.

    Council staff will provide an introduction to the problem of 
focusing on discard mortality rates used in stock assessments and the 
number of fish estimated to be discarded dead. The Council will then 
receive presentations on best fishing practices being used to reduce 
discard mortality including the use of descending devices, venting 
tools, and outreach efforts.

Law Enforcement Committee (Partially Closed), Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 8 
a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.

Closed Session

    1. The Committee will discuss and recommend an appointment for the 
Council's 2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.

Open Session

    1. The Committee will receive a report from the Law Enforcement 
Advisory Panel, and discuss the utility of operator cards and 
enforcement of offloading and closure timing for the commercial sector.
    2. The Committee will discuss how non-reporting could result in 
suspension of a permit per the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and

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Management Act and also discuss agenda items for its next meeting. The 
Committee will provide guidance to staff.

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, Tuesday, 
June 13, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Until 12 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a report from the Habitat Protection 
and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel.
    2. The Committee will review and approve the Council's Essential 
Fish Habitat Policy Statement on Artificial Reefs and the core Fishery 
Ecosystem Plan II sections.
    3. The Committee will discuss the Habitat and Ecosystem Tools and 
Model Development, receive a presentation on International Sargassum 
Conservation, and an update on Council actions pertaining to habitat 
and provide recommendations as appropriate.

Dolphin Wahoo Committee, Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until 2:30 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive updates from NOAA Fisheries on 
commercial catches versus quota for dolphin and wahoo, receive a report 
from the Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel, from the SSC and provide 
guidance to staff.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 2:30 p.m. Until 5:30 
p.m. and Wednesday, June 14, 2017 From 8 a.m. Until 4:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive updates from NOAA Fisheries on 
commercial catches versus quotas for species under ACLs and the status 
of amendments under formal Secretarial review.
    2. The Committee will receive a report from the Snapper Grouper 
Advisory Panel and an update on the Southeast Reef Fish Survey (SERFS).
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of Vision Blueprint 
Regulatory Amendment 26 addressing recreational management actions and 
alternatives and Vision Blueprint Regulatory Amendment 27 addressing 
commercial management actions and alternatives, as identified in the 
2016-2020 Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery. The 
Committee will modify the documents as necessary, provide guidance to 
staff and is scheduled to approve the amendments for public hearings.
    4. The Committee will receive a report from NOAA Fisheries' 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center on 2016 red snapper landings and 
discard estimates and the status of the 2017 red snapper season for 
federal waters in the South Atlantic. The Committee will also receive a 
report from the SSC and an update on the joint Council and Snook & 
Gamefish Foundation reporting app project.
    5. The Committee will receive an overview of management options in 
Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan addressing 
red snapper management and recreational reporting requirements, 
discuss, and provide direction to staff.
    6. The Committee will review a white paper on limiting entry for 
Federal For-Hire (Charter) Permits, discuss and provide direction to 
staff.
    7. The Committee will receive an update on the status of the 
Snapper Grouper Socio-economic Characterization/Portfolio analysis for 
the snapper grouper fishery.
    8. The Committee will receive a presentation from NOAA Fisheries on 
the stock assessment for red grouper, review SSC comments and provide 
guidance as appropriate.
    9. The Committee will receive a report from the SSC relative to 
golden tilefish, receive an update on the SEDAR Steering Committee 
actions, review a background document on golden tilefish management and 
provide recommendations regarding the develop of an interim rule and 
any other guidance.
    10. The Committee will receive an update on the Acceptable 
Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule, receive a report from the SSC 
relative to the ABC Control Rule, and provide guidance to staff.
    11. The Committee will receive an update on the review of the 
Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program, discuss 
background and timing, and provide guidance to staff.

Formal Public Comment, Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 4:30 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 review and public hearings: Formal Review--Spiny Lobster 
Regulatory Amendment 4 and Public Hearings--Visioning Regulatory 
Amendment 26 (recreational) and Visioning Regulatory Amendment 27 
(commercial). The Council Chair, based on the number of individuals 
wishing to comment, will determine the amount of time provided to each 
commenter.

Citizen Science Committee (Partially Closed), Thursday, June 15, 2017, 
8 a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.

Closed Session

    1. The Committee will make recommendations for appointments to the 
Citizen Science Action Teams.

Open Session

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the Citizen Science 
Program and Terms of Reference, review and take action as necessary.

Mackerel Cobia Committee, Thursday, June 15, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Until 
11a.m.

    1. The Committee will receive status updates from NOAA Fisheries on 
commercial catches versus quotas for species under ACLs and amendments 
currently under Secretarial review.
    2. The Committee will receive a meeting report from the Mackerel 
Cobia Advisory Panel and Cobia Sub-Panel, discuss emergency action for 
Atlantic cobia, receive an update on the status of the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission's Interstate Cobia Plan, state reports on 
Atlantic cobia for 2017, discuss these items and take action as 
appropriate.
    3. The Committee will consider a Framework to adjust Atlantic King 
Mackerel Trip Limits, discuss using a common unit for tracking Coastal 
Migratory Pelagic species, and take action as necessary.

Data Collection Committee, Thursday, June 15, 2017, 11 a.m. Until 12 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive reports and updates on the following: 
For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment, Bycatch Amendment, the Joint 
Council and Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) 
For-Hire Electronic Reporting Pilot Project, the draft Headboat Annual 
Report, and the South Atlantic Research Plan. The Committee will review 
and take action as necessary.

Executive/Finance Committee, Thursday, June 15, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until 
3:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a report on the May 2017 Council 
Coordinating Committee meeting and provide guidance as necessary.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the Calendar Year 2017 
Budget and approve; and review, modify, and approve the Council Follow-
up and Work Priorities.
    3. The Committee will discuss standards and procedures for 
participating in Council webinar meetings, review of Exempted Fishing

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Permits, and document timing for meeting briefing book materials, 
public comment at advisory panel meetings, and the SSC liaison and role 
of Council members at SSC meetings. The Committee will provide guidance 
and take action as appropriate.
    4. The Committee will discuss options for an advisory panel/
workgroup for the System Management Plan for the Council's managed 
areas and take action as necessary.
    5. The Committee will receive an overview of the Marine 
Recreational Information Program (MRIP) 5-Year Strategic Plan and 
provide guidance as necessary.

Council Session: Thursday, June 15, 2017, 3:30 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m. and 
Friday, June 16, 2017, 8 a.m. Until 1 p.m. (Partially Closed Session)

    The Full Council will convene beginning on Thursday afternoon with 
a Call to Order, announcements and introductions, presentations, and 
approval of the March 2017 meeting minutes.
    The Council will receive a Legal Briefing on Litigation from NOAA 
General Counsel (if needed) during Closed Session. The Council will 
receive a report from the Executive Director. The Council will also 
receive reports from NOAA Fisheries on the status of commercial and 
recreational catches versus ACLs for species not covered during an 
earlier committee meeting, Protected Resources updates, and the status 
of Bycatch Collection Programs. The Council will review any Exempted 
Fishing Permits received by NOAA Fisheries, receive a report on the 
Workshop to Improve Survival of Released Fish and take action as 
necessary.
    The Council will receive a report from the Spiny Lobster Committee, 
approve/disapprove Spiny Lobster Regulatory Amendment 4 for Secretarial 
review, consider other Committee recommendations, and take action as 
appropriate.
    The Council will receive a report from the Snapper Grouper 
Committee and approve/disapprove Visioning Amendment 26 (recreational) 
and Visioning Amendment 27 (commercial) for public hearings.
    The Council will continue to receive committee reports from the 
Mackerel Cobia, Dolphin Wahoo, Law Enforcement, Advisory Panel 
Selection, SSC Selection, SEDAR, Data Collection, Habitat and 
Ecosystem-Based Management, HMS, Citizen Science, and Executive Finance 
Committees, review recommendations, and take action as appropriate.
    The Council will 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.

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

    Dated: May 18, 2017.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10489 Filed 5-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P