2010-17782. Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); South Atlantic red snapper

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice of SEDAR 24 Assessment Webinar 2b for South Atlantic red snapper.

SUMMARY:

The SEDAR assessment of the South Atlantic stock of red snapper will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: a Data Workshop, a series of Assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. This is the twenty-fourth SEDAR. This is notice of additional Assessment Webinars for SEDAR 24. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

DATES:

Assessment Webinar 2b will occur August 6, 2010; Assessment Webinar 2c will occur August 9, 2010; Assessment Webinar 2d will occur August 11, 2010. Assessment Webinar 3b will occur August 18, 2010; Assessment Webinar 3c will occur August 20, 2010. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES:

The Assessment Webinar will be held live online via an internet based conferencing service. The Webinar may be attended by the public. Those interested in participating should contact Kari Fenske at SEDAR. See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT to request an invitation providing webinar access information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kari Fenske, SEDAR Coordinator, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; [phone]; [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR includes a Data Workshop, a Stock Assessment Process and a Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Stock Assessment Process is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a Peer Review Evaluation Report documenting Panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops and Assessment Process are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils; the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions; and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO's; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies.

SEDAR 24 Assessment Webinar 2b Schedule:

August 6, 2010: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Assessment panelists will (1) discuss red snapper model base runs, (2) select a preferred model, (3) provide guidance on model projections, and (4) discuss any additional outstanding data issues. Please note that meeting times are subject to change and meetings may run longer than scheduled. To be advised of such changes, contact the coordinator listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

SEDAR 24 Assessment Webinar 2b Schedule:

August 9, 2010: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Assessment panelists may use this meeting to discuss agenda items not covered in Assessment Webinar 2b. Please note that meeting times are subject to change and meetings may run longer than scheduled. To be advised of such changes, contact the coordinator listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

SEDAR 24 Assessment Webinar 2d Schedule:

August 11, 2010: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Assessment panelists may use this meeting to discuss agenda items not covered in Assessment Webinar 2c. Please note that meeting times are subject to change and meetings may run longer than scheduled. To be advised of such changes, contact the coordinator listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

SEDAR 24 Assessment Webinar 3b Schedule:

August 18, 2010: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Assessment panelists may use this meeting to discuss agenda items not covered in Assessment Webinar 3. Please note that meeting times are subject to change and meetings may run longer than scheduled. To be advised of such changes, contact the coordinator listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

SEDAR 24 Assessment Webinar 3c Schedule:

August 20, 2010: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Assessment panelists may use this meeting to discuss agenda items not covered in Assessment Webinar 3b. Please note that meeting times are subject to change and meetings may run longer than scheduled. To be advised of such changes, contact the coordinator listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before these groups for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions 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 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 sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 3 business days prior to each workshop.

Dated: July 16, 2010.

Tracey L. Thompson,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.