[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50606-50607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17634]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC189]


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 two public hearings via webinar pertaining to Amendment 51 and 
Amendment 52 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. These amendments address 
catch levels, sector allocations, and changes to management measures 
for the South Atlantic stocks of snowy grouper and golden tilefish, and 
modifications to recreational management measures for South Atlantic 
blueline tilefish.

DATES: The public hearings will take place September 6 and 7, 2022, 
beginning at 6 p.m., EDT. For specific dates and times, see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The public hearings will be held via webinar. Information, 
including a link to webinar registration will be posted on the 
Council's website at: https://safmc.net/public-hearings-scoping-2/ as 
it becomes available.
    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: Public hearing documents, an online public 
comment form, and other materials will be posted to the Council's 
website at https://safmc.net/public-hearings-scoping-2/ by August 23, 
2022. Comments will be accepted through 5

[[Page 50607]]

p.m. on September 9, 2022. During the hearings, Council staff will 
provide an overview of actions being considered in each amendment. 
Staff will answer clarifying questions on the presented information and 
the proposed actions. Following the presentation and questions, the 
public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the amendment.

Amendment 51 to the Snapper Grouper FMP

    The Council must adjust catch levels for snowy grouper in response 
to the most recent stock assessment for the species in the region 
conducted through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 
stock assessment process, SEDAR 36 Update (2020). The assessment 
indicated the stock continues to be overfished and is undergoing 
overfishing. A rebuilding plan is already in place for snowy grouper; 
however, catch levels must be adjusted based on the new catch level 
recommendations from the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee 
(SSC). The Council is considering modifications to the overfishing 
limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limit, sector 
allocations, and recreational management and accountability measures.

Amendment 52 to the Snapper Grouper FMP

    The stock of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic was most 
recently assessed through SEDAR 66 (2020), which indicated the stock is 
not overfished nor undergoing overfishing but is near the overfishing 
threshold. The Council must adjust catch levels based on the new catch 
level recommendations from the Council's SSC. The Council is 
considering modifications to the overfishing limit, acceptable 
biological catch, annual catch limit, sector allocations, commercial 
management measures, and recreational accountability measures. The 
Council is also considering modifications to South Atlantic blueline 
tilefish recreational management and accountability measures.

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: August 11, 2022.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-17634 Filed 8-16-22; 8:45 am]
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