January 6, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
KEY MESSAGE:
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on an amendment that considers implementation of spawning special management zones (SMZ) in federal waters of the South Atlantic region. The actions outlined in Amendment 36 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic region (Amendment 36) are intended to protect spawning, or reproducing, fish and their habitat. Comments are due by March 6, 2017.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ACTIONS:
- Implement five spawning SMZs in federal waters of the South Atlantic region off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
- Inside of the spawning SMZs, fishing for, retention, and possession of fish species in the snapper-grouper complex would be prohibited year-round by all fishers.
- Anchoring inside most of the spawning SMZs would not be allowed; however, transit with snapper-grouper species onboard would be allowed if gear is properly stowed in most spawning SMZs.
- Most spawning SMZs would automatically go away in 10 years unless they are reauthorized.
- Move the existing Charleston Deep Artificial Reef Marine Protected Area to match the boundaries of the permitted site.
- Modify the SMZ procedure in the fishery management plan to allow for the designation of spawning SMZs and the framework procedure to allow spawning SMZs to be established or modified through the framework process, rather than through plan amendments.
HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED ACTIONS:
The comment period on the amendment is open now through March 6, 2017.
You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.
The comment period on the amendment will be followed by a comment period on the proposed rule. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through the same method as used for the amendment as specified below.
FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 2016-31896, published Jan. 4, 2017
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
- Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0153.
- Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
- Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Helies, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
NOTE: Read the complete Fishery Bulletin with Frequently Asked Questions and Proposed SMZ Coordinates available from the NOAA Fisheries Website.