[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 55148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22403]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XV106


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 scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 11 to the 
Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. The 
amendment addresses cold-weather transit provisions for shrimp trawlers 
crossing areas closed due to cold weather.

DATES: The public scoping meetings will be held via webinar on November 
5 and November 7, 2019.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held via webinar.
    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 beginning at 7 p.m. Registration for the webinars is required. 
Registration information, a public scoping document, public comment 
form and any additional information will be posted on the Council's 
website at https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as it becomes available.

Amendment 11 to the Shrimp FMP

    The draft amendment proposes modifications to current transit 
provisions during cold-weather closures of the fishery. Current 
regulations include provisions that trawl doors be stowed below deck 
while transiting closed areas. The transit provision is applicable out 
25 nautical miles when adjacent state waters are closed. The transit 
provisions have not been changed since being enacted in 1994. Fishermen 
have indicated they can no longer store gear below deck due to more 
recent changes to vessel design and have also expressed concerns about 
having to use the ocean for transit more often as the Intracoastal 
Waterway depths are not being maintained for waterway transit.
    During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview 
of the draft 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.
    Public comment will also be accepted using the online comment form 
available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ or may be addressed to Gregg Waugh, Executive Director, South 
Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, 
N Charleston, SC 20405. Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on 
November 8, 2019.

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 public hearings.

    Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are 
subject to change.


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

    Dated: October 9, 2019.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22403 Filed 10-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P