SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting information, including agendas, overviews, and briefing book materials will be posted on the Council's website at: safmc.net/​council-meetings/​. Webinar registration links for the meeting will also be available from the Council's website.

Public comment: Public comment on agenda items may be submitted through the Council's online comment form available from the Council's website. Written comments will be accepted from August 28, 2026, until September 18, 2026. These comments are accessible to the public, part of the Administrative Record of the meeting, and immediately available for Council consideration. A formal public comment session will also be held during the Council meeting.

The items of discussion in the individual meeting agendas are as follows

Council Session I, Monday, September 14, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Until 12 p.m. (Closed Session):

The Council will meet in closed session to receive a litigation brief, if needed, review proposed changes to the advisory panel policy to clarify term limits, consider establishing chair and vice chair positions for the Citizen Science Operations Advisory Panel (AP), hold a discussion related to membership in the Executive Committee, review the Award of Excellence criteria, and make appointments to APs and Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) workshop observers.

Council Session I, Monday, September 14, 2026, 1:30 p.m. Until 5 p.m

Newly appointed Council members will be sworn in and the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award will be presented. The Council will receive the following reports: a litigation brief, state agencies, Council liaisons, and the Shrimp Workgroup. The Council will also receive an update on Executive Order 14276. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Regional Office (SERO) and Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) will provide updates to the Council, including a presentation on discards in South Atlantic fisheries and the Observer Program. The Council will also receive a presentation on landings of unmanaged species and an update on the Resilient Fisheries projects. A presentation to review information on the scoping process for potential Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan modifications will also be delivered. Lastly, the Council will receive updates on managed species outside its jurisdiction.

Habitat and Ecosystem Committee, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Until 10:30 a.m

The Committee will receive a presentation on the Ecosystem Information Review project and a report from the Habitat and Ecosystem AP.

SEDAR Catch Advice and Data Committee, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:45 a.m. Until 3:30 p.m

The Committee will receive a report from the SEDAR Steering Committee, review assessment updates and the SEDAR schedule, and conduct the stock risk rating for hogfish, black grouper, and gag. The Committee will review terms of reference for red grouper, snowy grouper, and vermilion snapper. The Committee will review and approve an outline and timeline for the Standardized Bycatch Reduction Methodology review and receive an update on the Southeast Reef Fish Survey and the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program.

Snapper Grouper Committee, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 3:45 p.m. Until 5 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Until 3:45 p.m., and Thursday, September 17, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Until 2:30 p.m

The Committee will receive updates from the NMFS on amendments undergoing rulemaking and Exempted Fishing Permit applications. The Committee will continue discussion of Amendment 61 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to evaluate the composition of the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Unit.

The Committee will discuss Amendment 44 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan addressing jurisdictional and sector allocations of yellowtail snapper and mutton snapper, and Regulatory Amendment 39 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan addressing sunsetting of Spawning Special Management Zones. The Committee will consider approving these two amendments for public hearings. The Committee will continue discussing Amendment 60 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan addressing commercial management measures and receive a presentation on Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and notification requirements. The Committee will review comments from public hearings held over the summer and approve all actions in the amendment. A public hearing on Amendment 60 will also be held, and comment will be accepted during the public comment period.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 4 p.m. —Public comment will be accepted from individuals attending the meeting in person and via webinar on all items on the Council's meeting agenda. The Council Chair will determine the amount of time provided to each commenter based on the number of individuals wishing to comment.

The Committee will continue discussing Regulatory Amendment 38 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, which addresses vessel limits for headboats, and will receive an update on the Snapper Grouper Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) and the Wreckfish MSE. The Committee will provide comments and draft conclusions and recommendations for the Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota Program Review. Lastly, the Committee will receive a report from the Blueline Tilefish Joint Sub-Committee and ( printed page 53227) review and approve topics for the fall meeting of the Snapper Grouper AP.

Council Session II, Thursday, September 17, 2:45 p.m. Until 5 p.m

The Council will hold elections for Chair and Vice Chair. The Council will then discuss a comprehensive amendment to address commercial trip limit sale and revise the abbreviated framework process. The Council will discuss potential modifications to the requirements for sea turtle release gear, management of cownose rays, and review and approve topics for the fall meeting of the Mackerel Cobia AP.

Council Session II, Friday, September 18, 8;30 a.m. Until 12 p.m

The Council will review its workplan, reports from the committees that met during the week and the June 2026 report from the Executive Committee, review upcoming meetings, and discuss any other business as needed.

Documents regarding these issues are available from the Council office (see ADDRESSES ).

Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.

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.

91 FR 53226