[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 55921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14928]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE085]


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public 
Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public hearings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold two virtual public hearings pertaining to Regulatory Amendment 36 
to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region. This amendment considers revisions to the 
recreational vessel limits for gag and black grouper and stowage 
requirements for black sea bass pots equipped with on-demand gear while 
transiting closed areas.

DATES: The public hearings will take place via webinar July 31 and 
August 1, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m., EDT. For specific dates and times, 
see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held via webinar. The webinar is open 
to members of the public. Information, including a link to webinar 
registration will be posted on the Council's website at: https://safmc.net/public-hearings-and-scoping/ when 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: A public hearing document, an online public 
comment form, and other materials will be posted to the Council's 
website at https://safmc.net/public-hearings-and-scoping/ as they 
become available. Written comments should be addressed to John 
Carmichael, Executive Director, SAFMC, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 
201, N Charleston, SC 29405. Written comments must be received by 
August 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. During the hearings, Council staff will 
provide an overview of actions being considered in the 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.

Regulatory Amendment 36 to the Snapper Grouper FMP

    Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper 
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper Grouper FMP) 
became effective October 23, 2023, and established recreational vessel 
limits of 2 fish per vessel per day or per trip (depending on private 
recreational or for-hire component) of gag and black grouper (2 fish 
limit for each species). The Council intended for these limits to 
instead be an aggregate limit of 2 gag or black grouper per vessel. 
Therefore, the Council is considering a revision of these recreational 
vessel limits through Regulatory Amendment 36.
    Regulatory Amendment 36 also addresses stowage requirements for 
black sea bass pots equipped with on-demand (also known as `ropeless') 
gear while transiting closed areas. Other regulations for black sea 
bass pots were reviewed and were determined to not limit the fishery's 
ability to use pots equipped with on-demand gear in areas and times of 
year when pots are currently allowed. While transiting marine protected 
areas, special management zones, and spawning special management zones, 
black sea bass pots are required to be appropriately stowed, meaning 
they are not baited, and the buoy is not attached. Detaching and re-
attaching the buoy is more difficult for pots with on-demand gear, due 
to the construction of on-demand retrieval mechanisms. Therefore, the 
Council is considering revision of the stowage requirements to better 
accommodate the transportation of this gear.

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: July 2, 2024.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-14928 Filed 7-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P