[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 13733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06483]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG123


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold two public scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 42 
to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) of the South 
Atlantic Region. The amendment addresses modifications to sea turtle 
release gear requirements for the snapper grouper fishery.

DATES: The scoping meetings will be held via webinar on April 23 and 
April 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scoping meetings will be conducted via 
webinar accessible via the internet from the Council's website at 
www.safmc.net. The scoping meetings will begin at 6 p.m. Registration 
for the webinars is required. Registration information will be posted 
on the Council's website at www.safmc.net as it becomes available.

Amendment 42 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan

    The draft amendment addresses changes to sea turtle release gear 
types for the commercial and for-hire components of the snapper grouper 
fishery. The National Marine Fisheries Service's Release Protocols for 
protected species were originally published in 2004, with updates in 
2008 and 2010. A new update is ready for publication. In the pending 
update, three additional sea turtle release gears, used for handling 
and releasing incidentally caught sea turtles, have been approved by 
the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). The new gear requires 
less space on vessels while still providing the necessary function. For 
fishermen operating in the snapper grouper fishery to utilize the newly 
approved gears, they need to be listed as acceptable gear in the 
Snapper Grouper FMP and made a requirement in the regulations. The 
amendment would also revise the snapper grouper framework procedure to 
include modifications to protected resources release gear requirements 
and handling procedures after they are approved by the SEFSC to allow 
for more timely modifications to these regulations.
    During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview 
of the amendment and will be available for informal discussions and to 
answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an 
opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration 
by the Council.

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: March 27, 2018.
Jeffrey N. Lonergan,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06483 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P