Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 18, 3701-3702 [E8-1045]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS); notice of scoping meetings; request for comments. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) intends to prepare a DEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and human environment of the management measures proposed in its draft Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). DATES: Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in the DEIS will be accepted until February 22, 2008, at 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727–824– 5305; fax: 727–824–5308; e-mail: 0648– XE86@noaa.gov. Scoping documents are available from the Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: 843–571–4366, toll free 1–866– SAFMC–10; fax: 843–769–4520; e-mail: kim.iverson@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region in the exclusive economic zone is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and implemented by NMFS under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. The Council is considering specifying annual catch limits (ACLs) for all snapper-grouper species currently undergoing overfishing. Revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 2007 require that by 2010, FMPs, for fisheries determined by the Secretary to be subject to overfishing, must establish a mechanism for specifying ACLs at a level that prevents overfishing and does not exceed the recommendations of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committees or other established peer review processes. These FMPs are also required to establish, by 2010, accountability measures for fisheries subject to overfishing. By 2011, FMPs for all other fisheries, except fisheries for species with annual life cycles, must meet these same requirements. The Council is considering alternatives such as removing species from the fishery VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:38 Jan 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 management unit that are rarely captured or taken primarily in state waters. The Council is also considering assigning some species to stock complexes. Furthermore, the Council is considering extending regulations for the snapper-grouper complex into the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s jurisdiction because the northern part of the range of some snapper-grouper species occurs beyond the current jurisdiction of the Council. This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a DEIS in support of Amendment 17 to the FMP. The DEIS will specify ACLs, establish measures to ensure accountability for species experiencing overfishing, as well as establish other measures. Following publication of this NOI, the Council will conduct public scoping meetings to determine the range of issues to be addressed in the DEIS and the associated Amendment 17. Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council plans to begin preparation of the draft SnapperGrouper Amendment 17/DEIS. The Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the draft Snapper-Grouper Amendment 17/DEIS in 2008. If the Council approves the document, public review will take place in late 2008. A comment period on the DEIS is planned, which will include public hearings to receive comments. A Federal Register notice will announce the availability of the DEIS associated with this amendment, as well as a 45day public comment period, pursuant to regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and to NOAA’s Administrative Order 216–6. The Council will consider public comments received on the DEIS in developing the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and before voting to submit the final amendment to NMFS for Secretarial review, approval, and implementation. NMFS will announce in the Federal Register the availability of the final amendment and FEIS for public review during the Secretarial review period, and will consider all public comments prior to final agency action to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the final amendment. Scoping Meetings, Times, and Locations All meetings will begin at 2 p.m. In addition to Amendment 17, the Council intends to scope three other amendments at this series of meetings. Separate NOIs have been prepared for each amendment. The meetings will be physically accessible to people with PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3701 disabilities. Requests for information packets or for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council (see ADDRESSES). Monday, February 4, 2008—The Mutiny Hotel, 2951 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; phone: 305–441–2100. Tuesday, February 5, 2008—Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701, Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920; phone: 321–784–0000. Wednesday, February 6, 2008— Quality Inn, 125 Venure Drive, Brunswick, GA 31525; phone: 912–265– 4600. Thursday, February 7, 2008— Sheraton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560; phone: 252–638– 3585. Wednesday, February 20, 2008— Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843–308–9331. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 16, 2008. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–1029 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE87 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 18 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS); notice of scoping meetings; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) intends to prepare a DEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and human environment of the management measures proposed in its draft Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). DATES: Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in the DEIS will be accepted until February 22, 2008, at 5 p.m. E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1 3702 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices Comments may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727–824– 5305; fax: 727–824–5308; e-mail: 0648– XE87@noaa.gov. Scoping documents are available from the Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: 843–571–4366, toll free 1–866– SAFMC–10; fax: 843–769–4520; e-mail: kim.iverson@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region in the exclusive economic zone is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and implemented by NMFS under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. Of the 98 species managed by the Council, 73 of these are included in the snapper-grouper management complex. The mixed species nature of this fishery poses a significant management challenge. Initially, FMP regulations consisted of minimum sizes, gear restrictions, and a provision for the designation of special management zones. To address overcapitalization in the fishery, the Council established a permit program to limit effort. However, recent ecological occurrences and regulatory requirements have decreased the ability for fishermen to maintain profitability in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. Management options that enable a reduction in fleet size are expected to increase total fleet profitability compared to the status quo. The Council is considering use of a limited access privilege (LAP) program and other management tools for the South Atlantic commercial snappergrouper fishery. In December 2006, the Council passed a motion to consider application of a LAP program for the South Atlantic commercial snapper-grouper fishery in Amendment 18. The LAP Committee met January 23–24, 2007 to draft goals and objectives for a possible LAP program, discuss the membership and structure of a LAP Exploratory Workgroup, and develop an action plan that would outline how the Council should explore use of a LAP program for this fishery. In 2007, the Limited Access Program Exploratory Workgroup was tasked with developing a potential plan for using a LAP program in the sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:38 Jan 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 commercial snapper-grouper fishery. The group has met several times and has considered a LAP program as well as other programs that look to reduce capacity in the fishery. This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a DEIS in support of Amendment 18 to the FMP. The DEIS will evaluate measures to reduce capacity in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. Following publication of this NOI, the Council will conduct public scoping meetings to determine the range of issues to be addressed in the DEIS and the associated Amendment 18. Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council plans to begin preparation of the draft SnapperGrouper Amendment 18/DEIS. The Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the draft Snapper-Grouper Amendment 18/DEIS in 2008. If the Council approves the document, public review will take place in late 2008. A comment period on the DEIS is planned, which will include public hearings to receive comments. A Federal Register notice will announce the availability of the DEIS associated with this amendment, as well as a 45day public comment period, pursuant to regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and to NOAA’s Administrative Order 216–6. The Council will consider public comments received on the DEIS in developing the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and before voting to submit the final amendment to NMFS for Secretarial review, approval, and implementation. NMFS will announce in the Federal Register the availability of the final amendment and FEIS for public review during the Secretarial review period, and will consider all public comments prior to final agency action to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the final amendment. Scoping Meetings, Times, and Locations All meetings will begin at 2 p.m. In addition to Amendment 18, the Council intends to scope three other amendments at this series of meetings. Separate NOIs have been prepared for each amendment. The meetings will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for information packets or for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council (see ADDRESSES). Monday, February 4, 2008—The Mutiny Hotel, 2951 South Bayshore PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; phone: 305–441–2100. Tuesday, February 5, 2008—Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701, Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920; phone: 321–784–0000. Wednesday, February 6, 2008— Quality Inn, 125 Venure Drive, Brunswick, GA 31525; phone: 912–265– 4600. Thursday, February 7, 2008— Sheraton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560; phone: 252–638– 3585. Wednesday, February 20, 2008— Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843–308–9331. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 16, 2008. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–1045 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF08 International Whaling Commission; Intersessional Meeting on the Future of the International Whaling Commission; Nominations National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice calls for nominees for one non-federal position to the U.S. Delegation to the Intersessional Meeting on the Future of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) that will be held in March, 2008, in London, England. The non-federal representative selected as a result of this nomination process is responsible for providing input and recommendations to the U.S. IWC Commissioner representing the positions of non-governmental organizations. DATES: All written nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the IWC annual meeting must be received by February 8, 2008. ADDRESSES: All nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the IWC annual meeting must be addressed to Bill Hogarth, U.S. Commissioner to the IWC, and sent via post to: Cheri McCarty, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of International Affairs, 1315 East-West Highway, E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3701-3702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1045]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE87


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 18

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

ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact 
statement (DEIS); notice of scoping meetings; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) 
intends to prepare a DEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and 
human environment of the management measures proposed in its draft 
Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper 
Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP).

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in 
the DEIS will be accepted until February 22, 2008, at 5 p.m.

[[Page 3702]]


ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: 
Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727-824-5305; fax: 727-824-5308; e-
mail: 0648-XE87@noaa.gov. Scoping documents are available from the 
Council's Web site at www.safmc.net.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information 
Officer, South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, 4055 Faber Place 
Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: 843-571-4366, toll 
free 1-866-SAFMC-10; fax: 843-769-4520; e-mail: kim.iverson@safmc.net.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic region in the exclusive economic zone is managed under the 
FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and implemented by NMFS under 
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. Of the 98 species 
managed by the Council, 73 of these are included in the snapper-grouper 
management complex.
    The mixed species nature of this fishery poses a significant 
management challenge. Initially, FMP regulations consisted of minimum 
sizes, gear restrictions, and a provision for the designation of 
special management zones. To address overcapitalization in the fishery, 
the Council established a permit program to limit effort. However, 
recent ecological occurrences and regulatory requirements have 
decreased the ability for fishermen to maintain profitability in the 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. Management options that enable 
a reduction in fleet size are expected to increase total fleet 
profitability compared to the status quo. The Council is considering 
use of a limited access privilege (LAP) program and other management 
tools for the South Atlantic commercial snapper-grouper fishery.
    In December 2006, the Council passed a motion to consider 
application of a LAP program for the South Atlantic commercial snapper-
grouper fishery in Amendment 18. The LAP Committee met January 23-24, 
2007 to draft goals and objectives for a possible LAP program, discuss 
the membership and structure of a LAP Exploratory Workgroup, and 
develop an action plan that would outline how the Council should 
explore use of a LAP program for this fishery. In 2007, the Limited 
Access Program Exploratory Workgroup was tasked with developing a 
potential plan for using a LAP program in the commercial snapper-
grouper fishery. The group has met several times and has considered a 
LAP program as well as other programs that look to reduce capacity in 
the fishery.
    This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a 
DEIS in support of Amendment 18 to the FMP. The DEIS will evaluate 
measures to reduce capacity in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
fishery. Following publication of this NOI, the Council will conduct 
public scoping meetings to determine the range of issues to be 
addressed in the DEIS and the associated Amendment 18.
    Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council 
plans to begin preparation of the draft Snapper-Grouper Amendment 18/
DEIS. The Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee will 
review the draft Snapper-Grouper Amendment 18/DEIS in 2008. If the 
Council approves the document, public review will take place in late 
2008. A comment period on the DEIS is planned, which will include 
public hearings to receive comments. A Federal Register notice will 
announce the availability of the DEIS associated with this amendment, 
as well as a 45-day public comment period, pursuant to regulations 
issued by the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act and to NOAA's Administrative Order 
216-6. The Council will consider public comments received on the DEIS 
in developing the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and 
before voting to submit the final amendment to NMFS for Secretarial 
review, approval, and implementation. NMFS will announce in the Federal 
Register the availability of the final amendment and FEIS for public 
review during the Secretarial review period, and will consider all 
public comments prior to final agency action to approve, disapprove, or 
partially approve the final amendment.

Scoping Meetings, Times, and Locations

    All meetings will begin at 2 p.m. In addition to Amendment 18, the 
Council intends to scope three other amendments at this series of 
meetings. Separate NOIs have been prepared for each amendment. The 
meetings will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for information packets or for sign language interpretation or 
other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council (see ADDRESSES).
    Monday, February 4, 2008--The Mutiny Hotel, 2951 South Bayshore 
Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; phone: 305-441-2100.
    Tuesday, February 5, 2008--Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701, 
Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920; phone: 321-784-0000.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008--Quality Inn, 125 Venure Drive, 
Brunswick, GA 31525; phone: 912-265-4600.
    Thursday, February 7, 2008--Sheraton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, 
New Bern, NC 28560; phone: 252-638-3585.
    Wednesday, February 20, 2008--Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International 
Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843-308-9331.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 16, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1045 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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