Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment, 4943-4944 [E9-1728]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 28, 2009 / Notices vessel size Class A, four for Class B, four for Class C, and one for Class D. Persons with the earliest documented participation in the fishery on a Class A sized vessel will receive the highest priority for obtaining permits in any size class, followed by persons with the earliest documented participation in Classes B, C, and D, in that order. If there is a tie in priority, the person with the second earliest documented participation will be ranked higher in priority. Complete applications must include the completed and signed application form, legible copies of documents supporting historical participation in the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery, and payment for the nonrefundable permit application processing fee, in accordance with the regulations at 50 CFR 665.13. Applications must be received by NMFS (see ADDRESSES) by May 28, 2009 to be considered for a permit; applications will not be accepted if received after that date. Authoritative additional information on the American Samoa limited entry program may be found in 50 CFR part 665. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 22, 2009. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–1727 Filed 1–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XM50 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper– Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 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 Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:30 Jan 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 (Comprehensive ACL Amendment) for the South Atlantic Region. DATES: Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in the DEIS will be accepted until February 27, 2009, 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– XM50@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: Revisions to the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson–Stevens Act) in 2007 require that by 2010, fishery management plans (FMPs), for fisheries determined by the Secretary of Commerce to be subject to overfishing, must establish a mechanism for specifying annual catch limits (ACLs) at a level that prevents overfishing and does not exceed the recommendations of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee or other established peer review processes. These FMPs are also required to establish, by 2010, accountability measures for fisheries subject to overfishing. ACLs and accountability measures for species undergoing overfishing in the FMP for the Snapper– Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region are being addressed in Amendment 17 to that FMP. The Magnuson–Stevens Act also requires the Council to establish, by 2011, ACLs and accountability measures for all other fisheries, except fisheries for species with annual life cycles. ACL specifications intended to fulfill this 2011 requirement would be included in the subject Comprehensive ACL Amendment. In addition to ACLs and accountability measures, the Magnuson–Stevens Act requires that the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee specify overfishing levels and acceptable biological catch (ABC) levels for all species undergoing overfishing. The Comprehensive ACL Amendment may specify an ABC control rule that would describe how the ABC is to be calculated. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4943 The Council is also considering an action to remove some species from South Atlantic fishery management units (FMU)for respective FMPs, particularly those species that have a low occurrence in federal waters. The purpose of this action would be to ensure that fishery managers focus their attention and resources on species that are in need of conservation and management. Additionally, the Council is considering designating some species as Ecosystem Component species that are not part of a fishery but are in an FMP. Species may be included as Ecosystem Components in FMPs for data collection purposes; for ecosystem considerations related to optimum yield; and as considerations in the development of conservation and management measures for the associated fishery. The amendment may also limit total mortality of federally managed species in the South Atlantic to the annual catch targets (ACTs). To achieve this goal, the amendment may include measures such as commercial quotas, trip limits, vessel limits, size limits, bag limits, closed areas, closed seasons, and permit endorsements. Additionally, the Comprehensive ACL Amendment may address several issues concerning the spiny lobster fishery such as, trap impacts on staghorn and elkhorn corals, tailing permits, and the Federal 50– short rule that allows retention of undersized spiny lobster to be used as live attractants. This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a DEIS in support of the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. The DEIS may include: ACLs; ACTs; ecosystem component species; removing some species from South Atlantic FMUs; ABC control rule; and accountability measures; allocations among the commercial, recreational, and for–hire sectors for species not undergoing overfishing; limit total mortality for federally managed species to the ACTs; and address spiny lobster fishery issues. 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 Comprehensive ACL Amendment. Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council plans to begin preparation of the draft Comprehensive ACL Amendment/DEIS. The Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the draft Comprehensive ACL Amendment/ DEIS in 2009. If the Council approves the document, public review may take place in late 2009. A comment period on the DEIS is planned, which will E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1 4944 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 28, 2009 / Notices 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 3 p.m. In addition to the Comprehensive ACL Amendment, the Council intends to scope additional amendments at this series of meetings, for which separate notices have been prepared. 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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Monday, January 26, 2009—Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843–308–9330. Tuesday, January 27, 2009—Bridge Pointe Hotel, 101 Howell Rd., New Bern, NC 28582; phone: 252–636–3637. Tuesday, February 3, 2009—Key Largo Grande, 97000 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037; phone: 305–852– 5553. Wednesday, February 4, 2009— Doubletree Hotel, 2080 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; phone: 321– 783–9222. Thursday, February 5, 2009—Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler, GA 31322; phone: 912– 748–8888. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 22, 2009. Alan D. Risenhoover Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–1728 Filed 1–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:30 Jan 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XM54 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 27, 2009, at 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by any of the following methods: • E–mail: 0648–XM54@noaa.gov. • Fax: 727–824–5308; Attn: Nikhil Mehta. • Mail: Nikhil Mehta, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. 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 (Magnuson Stevens 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. A NOI for Amendment 18 was published on January 22, 2008 (73 FR 3701), and contained notice of PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 consideration of developing a limited access privilege (LAP) program for the commercial snapper–grouper fishery in the South Atlantic. However, the Council has postponed consideration of a LAP program for the entire snapper– grouper fishery. A second NOI for Amendment 18 was published on April 7, 2008 (73 FR 18782) to announce the development of an amendment to establish a rebuilding plan for the red snapper stock and various management measures to end its overfishing. The Council subsequently moved these items to Amendment 17. This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a DEIS in support of the new Amendment 18 to the FMP. During its December 2008 meeting, the Council decided to transfer the following items from Amendment 17 to Amendment 18: Actions to extend the management range of snapper–grouper north of the Council’s current jurisdiction; designate essential fish habitat for snapper– grouper species in the extended management range (New England and Mid–Atlantic); change the golden tilefish fishing year; separate snowy grouper quota into regions; and improve data reporting. The Council is considering extending the range of the snapper–grouper fishery management plan for some species northward in order to conserve and manage these species. The current boundaries would not be changed for golden tilefish, black sea bass, and scup since they are considered separate stocks north and south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and are managed by the Mid–Atlantic Council. The Council is considering modifying the start date of the golden tilefish fishing year to ensure that the regulations for golden tilefish do not impact select fishermen disproportionately. The Council is considering regional quotas for snowy grouper to offer a fair opportunity to fishermen in both southern and northern areas. The Council is also considering actions to improve the accuracy, timing, and quantity of fisheries statistics collected by the current data collection programs for fisheries the Council manages. In addition to actions listed above, the Council may consider in Amendment 18 limits on participation and effort in the golden tilefish and black sea bass fisheries, and state or regional Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) for the recreational harvest of gag. The Council is concerned that increased restrictions imposed through Amendments 13C and 16 will increase the incentive to target: E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4943-4944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1728]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XM50


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Comprehensive 
Annual Catch Limit Amendment

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 
Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment (Comprehensive ACL 
Amendment) for the South Atlantic Region.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in 
the DEIS will be accepted until February 27, 2009, at 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: 
Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727-824-5305; fax: 727-824-5308; e-
mail: 0648-XM50@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: Revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) in 2007 require 
that by 2010, fishery management plans (FMPs), for fisheries determined 
by the Secretary of Commerce to be subject to overfishing, must 
establish a mechanism for specifying annual catch limits (ACLs) at a 
level that prevents overfishing and does not exceed the recommendations 
of the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee or other 
established peer review processes. These FMPs are also required to 
establish, by 2010, accountability measures for fisheries subject to 
overfishing. ACLs and accountability measures for species undergoing 
overfishing in the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region are being addressed in Amendment 17 to that FMP.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires the Council to establish, by 
2011, ACLs and accountability measures for all other fisheries, except 
fisheries for species with annual life cycles. ACL specifications 
intended to fulfill this 2011 requirement would be included in the 
subject Comprehensive ACL Amendment.
    In addition to ACLs and accountability measures, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act requires that the Council's Scientific and Statistical 
Committee specify overfishing levels and acceptable biological catch 
(ABC) levels for all species undergoing overfishing. The Comprehensive 
ACL Amendment may specify an ABC control rule that would describe how 
the ABC is to be calculated.
    The Council is also considering an action to remove some species 
from South Atlantic fishery management units (FMU)for respective FMPs, 
particularly those species that have a low occurrence in federal 
waters. The purpose of this action would be to ensure that fishery 
managers focus their attention and resources on species that are in 
need of conservation and management. Additionally, the Council is 
considering designating some species as Ecosystem Component species 
that are not part of a fishery but are in an FMP. Species may be 
included as Ecosystem Components in FMPs for data collection purposes; 
for ecosystem considerations related to optimum yield; and as 
considerations in the development of conservation and management 
measures for the associated fishery.
    The amendment may also limit total mortality of federally managed 
species in the South Atlantic to the annual catch targets (ACTs). To 
achieve this goal, the amendment may include measures such as 
commercial quotas, trip limits, vessel limits, size limits, bag limits, 
closed areas, closed seasons, and permit endorsements. Additionally, 
the Comprehensive ACL Amendment may address several issues concerning 
the spiny lobster fishery such as, trap impacts on staghorn and elkhorn 
corals, tailing permits, and the Federal 50-short rule that allows 
retention of undersized spiny lobster to be used as live attractants.
    This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a 
DEIS in support of the Comprehensive ACL Amendment. The DEIS may 
include: ACLs; ACTs; ecosystem component species; removing some species 
from South Atlantic FMUs; ABC control rule; and accountability 
measures; allocations among the commercial, recreational, and for-hire 
sectors for species not undergoing overfishing; limit total mortality 
for federally managed species to the ACTs; and address spiny lobster 
fishery issues. 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 Comprehensive ACL Amendment.
    Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council 
plans to begin preparation of the draft Comprehensive ACL Amendment/
DEIS. The Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee will 
review the draft Comprehensive ACL Amendment/DEIS in 2009. If the 
Council approves the document, public review may take place in late 
2009. A comment period on the DEIS is planned, which will

[[Page 4944]]

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 3 p.m. In addition to the Comprehensive 
ACL Amendment, the Council intends to scope additional amendments at 
this series of meetings, for which separate notices have been prepared. 
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 FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Monday, January 26, 2009--Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International 
Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843-308-9330.
    Tuesday, January 27, 2009--Bridge Pointe Hotel, 101 Howell Rd., New 
Bern, NC 28582; phone: 252-636-3637.
    Tuesday, February 3, 2009--Key Largo Grande, 97000 Overseas Hwy., 
Key Largo, FL 33037; phone: 305-852-5553.
    Wednesday, February 4, 2009--Doubletree Hotel, 2080 N. Atlantic 
Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; phone: 321-783-9222.
    Thursday, February 5, 2009--Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 
Bourne Ave., Pooler, GA 31322; phone: 912-748-8888.

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

    Dated: January 22, 2009.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-1728 Filed 1-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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