[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5992-5994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02734]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG004


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.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold meetings of the: Personnel Committee (Closed Session); Advisory 
Panel Selection Committee (Close Session); Citizen Science Committee; 
Spiny Lobster Committee; Joint Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based 
Management/Shrimp/and Golden Crab

[[Page 5993]]

Committees; Snapper Grouper Committee; Southeast Data, Assessment and 
Review (SEDAR) Committee; Mackerel Cobia 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 have a meeting 
of the full Council. The Council will also hold an informal Question 
and Answer Session, a formal public comment session, and take action as 
necessary.

DATES: The Council meeting will be held from 8 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 
2018 until 1 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Westin Jekyll 
Island, 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, GA 31527; phone: (912) 635-4545; 
fax: (912) 319-2835.
    Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 
Faber lace 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 website 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 website at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. The public comment form is 
open for use when the briefing book is posted to the website on the 
Friday, two weeks prior to the Council meeting (2/16/18). Comments 
received by close of business the Monday before the meeting (2/26/18) 
will be compiled, posted to the website as part of the meeting 
materials, and included in the administrative record; please use the 
Council's online form available from the website. For written comments 
received after the Monday before the meeting (after 2/26/18), 
individuals submitting a comment must use the Council's online form 
available from the website. Comments will automatically be posted to 
the website and available for Council consideration. Comments received 
prior to noon on Thursday, March 8, 2018 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), Monday, March 5, 2018, 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.

Advisory Panel Selection Committee (Closed Session), Monday, March 5, 
2018, 9 a.m. Until 10:30 a.m.

    1. The Committee will receive a review of the composition of the 
System Management Plan Workgroup, review applications and make 
recommendations as appropriate.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of open advisory panel 
seats, review applications/reapplications and provide recommendations 
as appropriate.

Citizen Science Committee, Monday, March 5, 2018, 10:30 a.m. Until 
12:30 p.m.

    1. The Committee will review formal recommendations from the 
Citizen Science Action Teams, discuss, and adopt as appropriate.

Spiny Lobster Committee, Monday, March 5, 2018, 1:30 p.m. Until 2:30 
p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on the status of catches 
versus annual catch limit (ACLs) and the status of amendments under 
formal review.
    2. The Committee will review public scoping comments on options for 
Spiny Lobster Amendment 13 addressing bullynets and measures 
recommended by the Florid Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 
(FWC). The Committee will approve actions and alternatives to be 
analysed and provide guidance to staff.

Joint Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management, Shrimp and 
Golden Crab Committees Meeting, Monday, March 5, 2018, 2:30 p.m. Until 
5:30 p.m.

    1. The Committees will receive an overview of the Fishery Ecosystem 
Plan II and Implementation plan, review and approve.
    2. The Committees will receive an update on habitat and ecosystem 
tools and model development, review and approve actions on habitat as 
appropriate.
    3. The Committees will receive an overview on Allowable Fishing 
Areas, discuss and provide guidance to staff as needed.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 8:30 a.m. Until 4:30 
p.m., and Wednesday, March 7, 2018, 8:30 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 an overview of draft Amendment 46 
addressing measures for recreational reporting and best fishing 
practices and provide guidance to staff.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of the 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 modify the 
document as necessary and approve for public hearings.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview on improving recreational 
estimates, discuss and provide direction to staff. The Committee will 
also receive a presentation on findings from the final report: Socio-
economic Profile of the South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Commercial 
Fishery, review and provide comment.
    5. The Committee will receive an overview of Vision Blueprint 
Regulatory Amendment 27 addressing commercial management actions and 
alternatives, as identified in the 2016-20 Vision Blueprint for the 
Snapper Grouper Fishery. The Committee will modify the document as 
necessary, and approve for public hearings.
    6. The Committee will receive an overview of options for a Snapper 
Grouper For-Hire Moratorium, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.
    7. The Committee will receive an overview of a rebuilding plan for 
red grouper, review, and provide guidance to staff.
    8. The Committee will receive an overview of draft Snapper Grouper 
Regulatory Amendment 28 addressing golden tilefish management, provide 
guidance to staff, and approve for public hearings.
    9. The Committee will receive an update on the Wreckfish Individual 
Transferable Quota (ITQ) Review and provide guidance to staff.
    10. The Committee will discuss potential management options for 
yellowtail snapper (e.g., commercial trip limits and coordinating with 
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council), and provide guidance to 
staff.
    11. The Committee will receive an overview of guidance established 
in the

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Council's Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery and the 
System Management Plan for managed areas, discuss and provide guidance 
to staff. The Committee will also receive an overview of sea turtle and 
other protected resources release gear and provide guidance to staff.

Informal Question and Answer Session, Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 4:30 p.m.

    Formal Public Comment, Wednesday, March 7, 2018, 4:30 p.m.--Public 
comment will be accepted on items on the Council agenda including 
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 31 (Atlantic Cobia) that the 
Council is considering for final approval. 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, Thursday, March 8, 2018, 8 a.m. Until 9 a.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on stock assessment 
projects, receive an overview of the Council's SEDAR Committee function 
and purpose and discuss, and discuss the SEDAR Steering Committee's 
upcoming meeting and provide guidance to staff as appropriate.

ABC Control Rule--Council Meeting of the Whole, Thursday, March 8, 
2018, 9 a.m. Until 12 p.m.

    1. The Committee of the Whole will receive an overview of the ABC 
Control Rule Amendment, discuss and provide guidance to staff.
    2. The Committee of the Whole will receive an overview of 
Accountability Measures, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.

Mackerel Cobia Committee, Thursday, March 8, 2018, 1 p.m. Until 3 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an update on commercial catches 
versus ACLs and an update from state representatives on king mackerel 
tournament sales versus commercial ACLs.
    2. The Committee will receive an update on state actions for the 
Interstate Atlantic Cobia Management Plan from the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
    3. The Committee will receive a summary of public comments for 
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 31 addressing proposed management 
measures for Atlantic cobia, review the decision document, and consider 
approving the amendment for formal Secretarial review.
    4. The Committee will receive an overview of Coastal Migratory 
Pelagics Framework Amendment 6 addressing Atlantic king mackerel trip 
limits, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.

SOPPs Committee, Thursday, March 8, 2018, 3 p.m. Until 4 p.m.

    1. The Committee will receive an overview of changes proposed to 
the SOPPs and Council Handbook, discuss, and provide direction to staff 
as appropriate.

Executive/Finance Committee, Thursday, March 8, 2018, 4 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 to 
staff.
    2. The Committee will receive an overview of the draft Calendar 
Year 2018 budget, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.
    3. The Committee will receive an overview of regulatory reform 
efforts, Atlantic Coast-Wide Group discussion, and Council Training/
Webinars, discuss, and provide guidance to staff.

Council Session: Friday, March 9, 2018, 8 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, approval of minutes, 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 staff reports including the Executive Director's Report, a 
report on the Economic Impact of Fisheries for Council Managed Species, 
and an update on the Electronic Reporting Outreach Project. Updates 
will be provided by NOAA Fisheries including a presentation on the 
Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting, status of the For-
Hire Amendment, a report on the status of commercial catches versus 
ACLs for species not covered during an earlier committee meeting, a 
protected resources update, and discuss other issues as necessary. The 
Council will also receive a presentation on the Marine Recreational 
Information Program (MRIP) Effort Survey Transition and Estimates 
Calibration and a presentation on the Status of Electronic Commercial 
Logbook Voluntary Reporting.
    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, AP Selection, 
SEDAR, ABC Control Rule Committee of the Whole, Citizen Science, Joint 
Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management/Shrimp/Golden Crab, SOPPs, and 
Executive Finance Committees, 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 these groups 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 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) 5 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: February 7, 2018.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02734 Filed 2-9-18; 8:45 am]
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