[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54327-54329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24955]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF846


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; 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 Personnel Committee (Closed Session); Habitat 
Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; Spiny Lobster 
Committee; Citizen Science Committee; Data Collection Committee; 
Snapper Grouper Committee; Southeast Data, Assessment and Review 
(SEDAR) Committee (Partially Closed); Mackerel Cobia Committee, 
Information and Education Committee; Standard Operating, Policy and 
Procedure (SOPPs) Committee, and the Executive Finance Committee. The 
Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole to address the Acceptable 
Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule and a meeting of the full Council. 
A Recreational Reporting Workshop will also be held during the meeting 
week. The Council will also hold a formal public comment session and 
take action as necessary.

DATES: The Council meetings will be held from 8 a.m. on Monday, 
December 4, 2017 until 1 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree by 
Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront, 2717 W. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic 
Beach, NC 28512; phone: (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]. 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 
ADDRESSES) or electronically via the Council's Web site at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. 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 (11/17/17). Comments 
received by close of business the Monday before the meeting 11/27/17) 
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 11/27/17), 
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, December 7, 2017 will be a part of the 
meeting administrative record.
    The items of discussion in the individual meeting agendas are as 
follows:

Personnel Committee (Closed Session), December 4, 2017, 8 a.m. Until 9 
a.m.

    1. The Personnel Committee will meet in Closed Session to discuss 
personnel issues and provide recommendations for Council consideration.

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee, Monday, 
December 4, 2017, 9 a.m. Until 11 a.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 Implementation Plan 
for the Fishery Ecosystem-Based Management Plan (FEP II), review and 
approve the Road Map for the FEP II, review the Dashboard and Tools for 
the FEP II, receive an update on the Conservation Blueprint 2.2, and 
provide guidance.
    3. The Committee will receive updates on other Habitat-related 
issues and provide recommendations as appropriate.

Committee Meeting of the Whole--Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) 
Control Rule, Monday, December 4, 2017, 11 a.m. Until 12:00 noon.

    1. The Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole to discuss the 
ABC Control Rule Amendment currently under development and provide 
guidance to staff.

Spiny Lobster Committee, Monday, December 4, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until 3 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of 2016/17 
catches versus the annual catch limit (ACLs), and review draft options 
for Spiny Lobster Amendment 13 addressing bullynets and measures 
recommended by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 
(FWC), and provide recommendations as appropriate.

Citizen Science Committee, Monday, December 4, 2017, 3 p.m. Until 4:30 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will address policy on the Citizen Science 
Advisory Panel Pool and Action Team appointments and approve for 
recommendation to Council.
    2. The Committee will receive reports from the Citizen Science 
Action Teams, discuss items brought forward by the Action Teams, and 
provide guidance to staff as appropriate.
    3. The Committee will receive an update on the Citizen Science 
Program partnerships and Pilot Project and provide guidance to staff as 
needed.

Data Collection Committee, Monday, December 4, 2017, 4:30 p.m. Until 
5:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive status reports on the For-Hire 
Electronic Reporting Amendment, and the Council's Data Collection Pilot 
Project and Outreach Plan relative to For-Hire Electronic Reporting. 
The Committee will provide guidance to staff as necessary.

[[Page 54328]]

Recreational Reporting Workshop, Tuesday, December 5, 2017 From 8:30 
a.m. Until 12 p.m.

    1. The Council will receive an update on the red snapper mini-
season, and hold a workshop on recreational reporting with 
presentations on electronic reporting for big game, the iSnapper 
voluntary reporting program, Tails'n'Scales mandatory reporting 
program, and state involvement in reporting for the Marine Recreational 
Informational Reporting Program (MRIP). Discussion of these programs 
will be held as part of the workshop.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Until 
5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 6, 2017 From 8:30 a.m. Until 4:30 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive updates from NOAA Fisheries on 
commercial and recreational 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.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of draft Amendment 46 
addressing measures for red snapper, review options, and provide 
guidance to staff.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview Vision Blueprint 
Regulatory Amendment 26 addressing recreational management actions and 
alternatives as identified in the 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint for the 
Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The Committee will review the 
revised actions and alternatives, updated analyses, and purpose and 
need. The Committee will modify the document as necessary and provide 
guidance to staff.
    5. The Committee will review 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 review recommendations from the Scientific 
and Statistical Committee (SSC), review revised actions and 
alternatives, updated analyses, and the purpose and need, modify the 
document as necessary, and provide guidance to staff.
    6. The Committee will receive presentations from NOAA Fisheries on 
proposed Exempted Fishing Permits for lionfish and provide 
recommendations as appropriate.
    7. The Committee will receive an overview on options for draft 
Amendment 38 addressing management measures for blueline tilefish, 
receive a presentation on the benchmark stock assessment (SEDAR 50), 
review fishing level recommendations from the SSC, modify the amendment 
as necessary, and provide guidance to staff.
    8. The Committee will receive an overview of options for the draft 
For-Hire Moratorium Amendment, discuss and provide guidance to staff.
    9. The Committee will receive SSC fishing level recommendations for 
red grouper, review management options, and approve the abbreviated 
framework document for formal Secretarial Review.
    10. The Committee will receive an overview from staff on golden 
tilefish management, review recommendations from the SSC, and provide 
guidance to staff.
    11. The Committee will receive an update on the Wreckfish 
Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) review and provide guidance to 
staff.
    12. The Committee will receive an overview of management issues 
relative to yellowtail snapper, review a response from the Gulf of 
Mexico Fishery Management Council on a potential joint amendment to 
examine jurisdictional annual catch limits, and provide guidance to 
staff.
    Formal Public Comment, Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 4:30 p.m.--
Public comment will be accepted on items on the Council agenda. The 
Council is also accepting public comment on Executive Order 13771 (2 
for 1 regulations) to identify regulations that are (1) outdated, (2) 
unnecessary, or (3) ineffective. The Council Chair, based on the number 
of individuals wishing to comment, will determine the amount of time 
provided to each commenter.

SEDAR Committee (Partially Closed), Thursday, December 7, 2017, 8:30 
a.m. Until 9:30 a.m.

    (Closed Session)
    1. The Committee will make recommendations for appointments to the 
Cobia Stock Identification Workshop and for appointments to stock 
assessments for greater amberjack and red porgy.
    (Open Session)
    2. The Committee will receive a report from the SSC.
    3. The Committee will review Terms of Reference and schedules for 
greater amberjack and red porgy stock assessments and provide 
recommendations as appropriate.
    4. The Committee will review the SEDAR Steering Committee Report, 
discuss, and provide guidance as appropriate.

Mackerel Cobia Committee, Thursday, December 7, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Until 
12 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on commercial and 
recreational catches versus quotas for species managed under ACLs and 
an update on the status of amendments currently under Secretarial 
review.
    2. The Committee will receive an update on development of the 
Interstate Atlantic Cobia Management Plan from the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
    3. The Committee will receive an update on the status of a request 
for recalculation of the 2015 and 2016 recreational landings for 
Atlantic cobia.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview of Coastal Migratory 
Pelagics Framework Amendment 6 addressing Atlantic king mackerel trip 
limits, discuss, and provide recommendations for approval for public 
scoping.
    5. The Committee will receive an overview Coastal Migratory 
Pelagics Amendment 31 addressing proposed management measures for 
Atlantic cobia, discuss, and provide recommendations for approval for 
public hearings.

Information and Education Committee, Thursday, December 7, 2017, 1:30 
p.m. Until 2 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a report from the Information and 
Education Advisory Panel, discuss and provide recommendations to staff 
as appropriate.

SOPPs Committee, Thursday, December 7, 2017, 2 p.m. Until 3:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will review policies for inclusion in the SOPPs 
and/or Council Handbook, discuss and provide direction to staff as 
appropriate.

Executive/Finance Committee, Thursday, December 7, 2017, 3:30 p.m. 
Until 5:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an overview of the current Magnuson-
Stevens Reauthorization efforts, discuss and provide guidance and 
approval as needed.
    2. The Committee receive an update on the current budget status and 
outlook, discuss and provide guidance as needed.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview on materials available 
for Council meetings, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.
    5. The Committee will receive an overview of the System Management 
Plan Advisory Panel, discuss and provide additional guidance as needed.

[[Page 54329]]

Council Session: Friday, December 8, 2017, 8:30 a.m. Until 1 p.m. 
(Partially Closed Session if Needed)

    The Full Council will begin with the Call to Order, adoption of the 
agenda, announcements and introductions, and presentations.
    The Council will receive a Legal Briefing on Litigation from NOAA 
General Counsel (if needed) during Closed Session. The Council will 
receive the Executive Director's Report and an update on results from 
the Northeast Regional Coordinating Council meeting in November. 
Updates will be provided by NOAA Fisheries including a discussion with 
Dr. Francisco ``Cisco'' Werner, Chief Science Advisor and Director of 
Scientific Programs, reports on the status of commercial and 
recreational catches versus ACLs for species not covered during an 
earlier committee meeting, status of Recreational and Commercial Quota 
Monitoring Tables on the NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Regional Office Web 
site, a turtle release presentation, and discussion of other issues as 
necessary. The Council will also receive an update on the status of 
Bycatch Collection Programs and the pending voluntary commercial 
electronic logbook reporting effort from NOAA Fisheries' Southeast 
Fisheries Science Center. The Council will review any Exempted Fishing 
Permits received by NOAA Fisheries as necessary. The Council will 
receive Committee reports from the Snapper Grouper, Mackerel Cobia, 
Spiny Lobster, SEDAR, Data Collection, Habitat and Ecosystem-Based 
Management, Information and Education, Citizen Science, SOPPs, and 
Executive Finance Committees; a report from the Committee of the Whole 
(ABC Control Rule); a report from the Recreational Reporting Workshop; 
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: November 14, 2017.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24955 Filed 11-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P