[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 74 (Thursday, April 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21178-21179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08047]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA100]


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings

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

ACTION: Notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold public hearings via webinar pertaining to Regulatory Amendment 34 
to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic 
Region. The amendment would designate artificial reefs in the federal 
waters off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina as Special 
Management Zones (SMZs) and implement fishing gear restrictions within 
the SMZs.

DATES: The public hearings will be held via webinar on May 4 and 5, 
2020.

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 public hearings will be conducted via 
webinar beginning at 6 p.m. Registration for the webinars is required. 
Registration information will be posted on the Council's website at 
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as 
it becomes available.

Regulatory Amendment 34 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan

    The draft regulatory amendment contains proposed actions to: 
Designate 30 artificial reefs in federal waters off North Carolina as 
Special Management Zones. Within the SMZs, harvest of snapper grouper 
species would be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear. All 
harvest by spear would be limited to the applicable recreational bag 
limit.
    Designate four additional artificial reefs in federal waters off 
South Carolina as SMZs. Within the SMZs, harvest of snapper grouper 
species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear 
(without

[[Page 21179]]

powerheads) and all harvest would be limited to the applicable 
recreational bag limit.
    During the public hearings, Council staff will present an overview 
of the draft amendment and will be available for informal discussions 
and to answer questions via webinar. A public comment form will also be 
available online. The comment form, a copy of the Regulatory Amendment 
34 Public Hearing Document, and additional information will be posted 
on the Council's website as it becomes available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Special Accommodations

    These hearings 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: April 13, 2020.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08047 Filed 4-15-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P