NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Actions to Modify Catch Limits for Snapper-Grouper Species and Gray Triggerfish Management Measures
NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 29). NOAA Fisheries is also seeking public comment on the proposed rule to implement the management measures in the amendment. Amendment 29 proposes to:
Update the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (Council) acceptable biological catch control rule for determining catch levels of unassessed species.
Adjust the acceptable biological catch value for 14 unassessed snapper-grouper species.
Revise the annual catch limits for three species complexes and four snapper-grouper species.
Establish a minimum size limit for gray triggerfish in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia for both the commercial and recreational sectors.
Revise the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for gray triggerfish off the east coast of Florida.
Establish a commercial split season for gray triggerfish.
Establish commercial trip limits for gray triggerfish.
The Council has submitted Amendment 29 to NOAA Fisheries for review, approval, and implementation. The Notice of Availability for Amendment 29 published in the Federal Register on November 23, 2014 (79 FR 69819), and the comment period ends on January 23, 2015. The proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72567) and the comment period ends on January 7, 2015. All comments specifically directed toward the amendment or the rule will be addressed in the final rule.
For more information on Amendment 29, please visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at:
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/sg/2014/am29/index.html. An electronic version of the amendment and proposed rule is available at that Web site or from the e-rulemaking portal, www.regulations.gov.
How to Submit Comments
You may submit comments by the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0132 click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: NOAA Fisheries
Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
c/o Karla Gore
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 3370-5505
NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Comments received through means not specified in this bulletin may not be considered.
More Information
For more information on Amendment 29, please click on this link to the Frequently Asked Questions found at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/sg/2014/am29/index.html. This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Actions to Modify Catch Limits for Snapper-Grouper Species and Gray Triggerfish Management Measures
NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 29). NOAA Fisheries is also seeking public comment on the proposed rule to implement the management measures in the amendment. Amendment 29 proposes to:
Update the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (Council) acceptable biological catch control rule for determining catch levels of unassessed species.
Adjust the acceptable biological catch value for 14 unassessed snapper-grouper species.
Revise the annual catch limits for three species complexes and four snapper-grouper species.
Establish a minimum size limit for gray triggerfish in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia for both the commercial and recreational sectors.
Revise the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for gray triggerfish off the east coast of Florida.
Establish a commercial split season for gray triggerfish.
Establish commercial trip limits for gray triggerfish.
The Council has submitted Amendment 29 to NOAA Fisheries for review, approval, and implementation. The Notice of Availability for Amendment 29 published in the Federal Register on November 23, 2014 (79 FR 69819), and the comment period ends on January 23, 2015. The proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2014 (79 FR 72567) and the comment period ends on January 7, 2015. All comments specifically directed toward the amendment or the rule will be addressed in the final rule.
For more information on Amendment 29, please visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at:
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/sg/2014/am29/index.html. An electronic version of the amendment and proposed rule is available at that Web site or from the e-rulemaking portal, www.regulations.gov.
How to Submit Comments
You may submit comments by the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0132 click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: NOAA Fisheries
Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
c/o Karla Gore
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 3370-5505
NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Comments received through means not specified in this bulletin may not be considered.
More Information
For more information on Amendment 29, please click on this link to the Frequently Asked Questions found at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/sg/2014/am29/index.html. This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.