[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 198 (Monday, October 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57639-57640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22560]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB473]


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of scoping hearings.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a series of scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 
44 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region. The amendment adjusts the acceptable 
biological catch for yellowtail snapper based on results of the latest 
stock assessment and considers adjusting the jurisdictional allocation 
(between the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico). In addition, the 
amendment would modify catch levels, and sector allocations for the 
South Atlantic. The Council is also requesting input on potential 
commercial management measures.

DATES: The scoping meetings will be held via webinar on November 2 and 
3, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The meeting 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 and accessible via the internet from the Council's website at 
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. The 
scoping meetings will begin at 6 p.m. Registration for the webinars is 
required. Registration information, a copy of the scoping materials, an 
online public comment form and any

[[Page 57640]]

additional information as needed will be posted on the Council's 
website at https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as it becomes available. Public comments must be received by 
5 p.m. on November 5, 2021.

Amendment 44 to the Snapper Grouper FMP

    The Council must adjust catch levels for yellowtail snapper in 
response to the most recent stock assessment for the species in the 
region (SEDAR 64 2019). Yellowtail snapper is considered a single stock 
distributed in the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The 
stock assessment results indicated the stock is not overfished nor 
undergoing overfishing. However, catch levels must be adjusted based on 
the acceptable biological catch recommended by the South Atlantic and 
Gulf of Mexico Councils' Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC). 
The acceptable biological catch must first be allocated between the two 
regions. In addition, the Council is considering modifications to catch 
levels, sector allocations and possibly establishing commercial 
management measures.
    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 provide 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) 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: October 12, 2021.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22560 Filed 10-15-21; 8:45 am]
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