83 FR 34121 - South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 139 (July 19, 2018)

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of public scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to three amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the South Atlantic Region. Amendment 47 considers modifications to the federally permitted South Atlantic snapper grouper for-hire fishery. Regulatory Amendment 29 considers options to implement best fishing practices and remove powerhead restrictions in the federal waters off the coast of South Carolina. Regulatory Amendment 32 addresses options for revisions to the in-season accountability measures for yellowtail snapper.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34121-34122]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15456]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG339


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 a series of public scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to 
three amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 
for the South Atlantic Region. Amendment 47 considers modifications to 
the federally permitted South Atlantic snapper grouper for-hire 
fishery. Regulatory Amendment 29 considers options to implement best 
fishing practices and remove powerhead restrictions in the federal 
waters off the coast of South Carolina. Regulatory Amendment 32 
addresses options for revisions to the in-season accountability 
measures for yellowtail snapper.

DATES: The scoping meetings will be held via webinar on the following 
dates: Amendment 47--August 6, August 9, and August 14, 2018; 
Regulatory Amendment 29--August 7 and August 8, 2018 and; Regulatory 
Amendment 32--August 15 and August 16, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be conducted via webinar.
    Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405.

[[Page 34122]]


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 accessible via the internet from the Council's website at 
www.safmc.net. The scoping meetings will begin at 6 p.m. Registration 
for the webinars is required. Registration information will be posted 
on the Council's website at www.safmc.net as it becomes available.
    Public scoping is the beginning phase of amendment development. The 
Council will gather public input and ideas on how to solve a fishery 
problem or address a need. The public is encouraged to identify issues, 
potential impacts, and reasonable solutions for options being 
considered in each amendment.

Amendment 47 to the Snapper Grouper FMP

    Amendment 47 considers options for limiting entry into the for-hire 
Snapper Grouper fishery, establishing a mechanism that would allow new 
entrants into the for-hire Snapper Grouper fishery under limited entry, 
and modifying regulations that prevent anglers onboard federally 
permitted for-hire Snapper Grouper vessels from possessing Snapper 
Grouper species in state waters when harvest of these species closes in 
federal waters.

Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper FMP

    Regulatory Amendment 29 addresses the use of best fishing practices 
to reduce discards and discard mortality for species in the snapper 
grouper management complex, including: The use of venting tools and 
descending devices to release fish experiencing barotrauma, 
modification to the non-stainless-steel circle hook requirement, and 
specification of allowable rigs. The draft amendment also includes 
options to modify current regulations for the use of powerhead gear.

Regulatory Amendment 32 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan

    Regulatory Amendment 32 considers modifications to yellowtail 
snapper accountability measures (AM) to minimize the probability of in-
season closures and consequent socio-economic impacts.
    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 record their comments for consideration 
by the Council. Public scoping documents and presentations for each 
amendment will be posted to the Council's website at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as they become 
available.
    Written comments may also be submitted and must be received by 5 
p.m. on August 17, 2018. The Council requests that written comments be 
submitted using the online public comment forms that will be posted the 
Council's website at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as they become available. Written comments may also 
be submitted to: Gregg Waugh, Executive Director, South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. 
Charleston, SC 29405.

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 16, 2018.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15456 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
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