TITLE 16 - US CODE - CHAPTER 76 - NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES CONVENTION
16 USC 5601 - Representation of United States under Convention
(a) Commissioners
(1) Appointments, generally
The Secretary shall appoint not more than 3 individuals to serve as the representatives of the United States on the General Council and the Fisheries Commission, who shall each
The Secretary shall appoint not more than 3 individuals to serve as the representatives of the United States on the General Council and the Fisheries Commission, who shall each
(A) be known as a United States Commissioner to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization; and
(B) serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
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(2) Requirements for appointments
(A) The Secretary shall ensure that of the individuals serving as Commissioners
(i) at least 1 is appointed from among representatives of the commercial fishing industry;
(ii) 1 (but no more than 1) is an official of the Government; and
(iii) 1, other than the individual appointed under clause (ii), is a voting member of the New England Fishery Management Council.
(B) The Secretary may not appoint as a Commissioner an individual unless the individual is knowledgeable and experienced concerning the fishery resources to which the Convention applies.
(3) Terms
(A) The term of an individual appointed as a Commissioner
(i) shall be specified by the Secretary at the time of appointment; and
(ii) may not exceed 4 years.
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(B) An individual who is not a Government official may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms as a Commissioner.
(b) Alternate Commissioners
(1) Appointment
The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Commissioner at a meeting of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Commissioner.
The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Commissioner at a meeting of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Commissioner.
(2) Functions
An Alternate Commissioner may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Commissioner for whom the Alternate Commissioner is designated, at any meeting of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission for which the Alternate Commissioner is designated.
An Alternate Commissioner may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Commissioner for whom the Alternate Commissioner is designated, at any meeting of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission for which the Alternate Commissioner is designated.
(c) Representatives
(1) Appointment
The Secretary shall appoint not more than 3 individuals to serve as the representatives of the United States on the Scientific Council, who shall each be known as a United States Representative to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Scientific Council.
The Secretary shall appoint not more than 3 individuals to serve as the representatives of the United States on the Scientific Council, who shall each be known as a United States Representative to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Scientific Council.
(2) Eligibility for appointment
(A) The Secretary may not appoint an individual as a Representative unless the individual is knowledgeable and experienced concerning the scientific issues dealt with by the Scientific Council.
(B) The Secretary shall appoint as a Representative at least 1 individual who is an official of the Government.
(3) Term
An individual appointed as a Representative
An individual appointed as a Representative
(A) shall serve for a term of not to exceed 4 years, as specified by the Secretary at the time of appointment;
(B) may be reappointed; and
(C) shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(d) Alternate Representatives
(1) Appointment
The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Representative at a meeting of the Scientific Council, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Representative.
The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Representative at a meeting of the Scientific Council, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Representative.
(2) Functions
An Alternate Representative may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Representative for whom the Alternate Representative is designated, at any meeting of the Scientific Council for which the Alternate Representative is designated.
An Alternate Representative may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Representative for whom the Alternate Representative is designated, at any meeting of the Scientific Council for which the Alternate Representative is designated.
(e) Experts and advisers
The Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives may be accompanied at meetings of the Organization by experts and advisers.
The Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives may be accompanied at meetings of the Organization by experts and advisers.
(f) Coordination and consultation
(1) In general
In carrying out their functions under the Convention, Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives shall
In carrying out their functions under the Convention, Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives shall
(A) coordinate with the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils established by section 1852 of this title; and
(B) consult with the committee established under section 5607 of this title.
(2) Relationship to other law
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to coordination and consultations under this subsection.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to coordination and consultations under this subsection.
16 USC 5602 - Requests for scientific advice
(a) Restriction
The Representatives may not make a request or specification described in subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section, respectively, unless the Representatives have first
The Representatives may not make a request or specification described in subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section, respectively, unless the Representatives have first
(1) consulted with the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils; and
(2) received the consent of the Commissioners for that action.
(b) Requests and terms of reference described
The requests and specifications referred to in subsection (a) of this section are, respectively
The requests and specifications referred to in subsection (a) of this section are, respectively
(1) any request, under Article VII(1) of the Convention, that the Scientific Council consider and report on a question pertaining to the scientific basis for the management and conservation of fishery resources in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States within the Convention Area; and
(2) any specification, under Article VIII(2) of the Convention, of the terms of reference for the consideration of a question referred to the Scientific Council pursuant to Article VII(1) of the Convention.
16 USC 5603 - Authorities of Secretary of State with respect to Convention
The Secretary of State may, on behalf of the Government of the United States
(1) receive and transmit reports, requests, recommendations, proposals, and other communications of and to the Organization and its subsidiary organs;
(2) object, or withdraw an objection, to the proposal of the Fisheries Commission;
(3) give or withdraw notice of intent not to be bound by a measure of the Fisheries Commission;
(4) object or withdraw an objection to an amendment to the Convention; and
(5) act upon, or refer to any other appropriate authority, any other communication referred to in paragraph (1).
16 USC 5604 - Interagency cooperation
(a) Authorities of Secretary
In carrying out the provisions of the Convention and this chapter, the Secretary may arrange for cooperation with other agencies of the United States, the States, the New England and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and private institutions and organizations.
In carrying out the provisions of the Convention and this chapter, the Secretary may arrange for cooperation with other agencies of the United States, the States, the New England and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and private institutions and organizations.
(b) Other agencies
The head of any Federal agency may
The head of any Federal agency may
(1) cooperate in the conduct of scientific and other programs, and furnish facilities and personnel, for the purposes of assisting the Organization in carrying out its duties under the Convention; and
(2) accept reimbursement from the Organization for providing such services, facilities, and personnel.
16 USC 5605 - Rulemaking
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Convention and this chapter. Any such regulation may be made applicable, as necessary, to all persons and all vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, wherever located.
16 USC 5606 - Prohibited acts and penalties
(a) Prohibition
It is unlawful for any person or vessel that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
It is unlawful for any person or vessel that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
(1) to violate any regulation issued under this chapter or any measure that is legally binding on the United States under the Convention;
(2) to refuse to permit any authorized enforcement officer to board a fishing vessel that is subject to the persons control for purposes of conducting any search or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this chapter, any regulation issued under this chapter, or any measure that is legally binding on the United States under the Convention;
(3) forcibly to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any authorized enforcement officer in the conduct of any search or inspection described in paragraph (2);
(4) to resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited by this section;
(5) to ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, or have custody, control, or possession of, any fish taken or retained in violation of this section; or
(6) to interfere with, delay, or prevent, by any means, the apprehension or arrest of another person, knowing that the other person has committed an act prohibited by this section.
(b) Civil penalty
Any person who commits any act that is unlawful under subsection (a) of this section shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, or may be subject to a permit sanction, under section 1858 of this title.
Any person who commits any act that is unlawful under subsection (a) of this section shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, or may be subject to a permit sanction, under section 1858 of this title.
(c) Criminal penalty
Any person who commits an act that is unlawful under paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (6) of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of an offense punishable under section 1859 (b) of this title.
Any person who commits an act that is unlawful under paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (6) of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of an offense punishable under section 1859 (b) of this title.
(d) Civil forfeitures
(1) In general
Any vessel (including its gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores, and cargo) used in the commission of an act that is unlawful under subsection (a) of this section, and any fish (or the fair market value thereof) taken or retained, in any manner, in connection with or as a result of the commission of any act that is unlawful under subsection (a) of this section, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided in section 1860 of this title.
Any vessel (including its gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores, and cargo) used in the commission of an act that is unlawful under subsection (a) of this section, and any fish (or the fair market value thereof) taken or retained, in any manner, in connection with or as a result of the commission of any act that is unlawful under subsection (a) of this section, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided in section 1860 of this title.
(2) Disposal of fish
Any fish seized pursuant to this chapter may be disposed of pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction or, if perishable, in a manner prescribed by regulations issued by the Secretary.
Any fish seized pursuant to this chapter may be disposed of pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction or, if perishable, in a manner prescribed by regulations issued by the Secretary.
(e) Enforcement
The Secretary and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall have the authority specified in section 1861 (a), (b)(1), and (c) of this title for that purpose.
The Secretary and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall have the authority specified in section 1861 (a), (b)(1), and (c) of this title for that purpose.
(f) Jurisdiction of courts
The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under this section and may, at any time
The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under this section and may, at any time
(1) enter restraining orders or prohibitions;
(2) issue warrants, process in rem, or other process;
(3) prescribe and accept satisfactory bonds or other security; and
(4) take such other actions as are in the interests of justice.
16 USC 5607 - Consultative committee
(a) Establishment
The Secretary of State and the Secretary, shall jointly establish a consultative committee to advise the Secretaries on issues related to the Convention.
The Secretary of State and the Secretary, shall jointly establish a consultative committee to advise the Secretaries on issues related to the Convention.
(b) Membership
(1) The membership of the Committee shall include representatives from the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, the States represented on those Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the fishing industry, the seafood processing industry, and others knowledgeable and experienced in the conservation and management of fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean.
(2) Terms and Reappointment.—
Each member of the consultative committee shall serve for a term of two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
Each member of the consultative committee shall serve for a term of two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
(c) Duties of committee
Members of the consultative committee may attend
Members of the consultative committee may attend
(1) all public meetings of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission;
(2) any other meetings to which they are invited by the General Council or the Fisheries Commission; and
(3) all nonexecutive meetings of the United States Commissioners.
(d) Relationship to other law
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the consultative committee established under this section.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the consultative committee established under this section.
16 USC 5608 - Administrative matters
(a) Prohibition on compensation
A person shall not receive any compensation from the Government by reason of any service of the person as
A person shall not receive any compensation from the Government by reason of any service of the person as
(1) a Commissioner, Alternate Commissioner, Representative, or Alternative Representative;
(3) a member of the consultative committee established by section 5607 of this title.
(b) Travel and expenses
The Secretary of State shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, pay all necessary travel and other expenses of persons described in subsection (a)(1) of this section and of not more than six experts and advisers authorized under section 5601 (e) of this title with respect to their actual performance of their official duties pursuant to this chapter, in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5.
The Secretary of State shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, pay all necessary travel and other expenses of persons described in subsection (a)(1) of this section and of not more than six experts and advisers authorized under section 5601 (e) of this title with respect to their actual performance of their official duties pursuant to this chapter, in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5.
(c) Status as Federal employees
A person shall not be considered to be a Federal employee by reason of any service of the person in a capacity described in subsection (a) of this section, except for purposes of injury compensation and tort claims liability under chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 28, respectively.
A person shall not be considered to be a Federal employee by reason of any service of the person in a capacity described in subsection (a) of this section, except for purposes of injury compensation and tort claims liability under chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 28, respectively.
16 USC 5609 - Definitions
In this chapter the following definitions apply:
(1) Authorized enforcement officer
The term authorized enforcement officer means a person authorized to enforce this chapter, any regulation issued under this chapter, or any measure that is legally binding on the United States under the Convention.
The term authorized enforcement officer means a person authorized to enforce this chapter, any regulation issued under this chapter, or any measure that is legally binding on the United States under the Convention.
(2) Commissioner
The term Commissioner means a United States Commissioner to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization appointed under section 5601 (a) of this title.
The term Commissioner means a United States Commissioner to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization appointed under section 5601 (a) of this title.
(3) Convention
The term Convention means the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, done at Ottawa on October 24, 1978.
The term Convention means the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, done at Ottawa on October 24, 1978.
(4) Fisheries Commission
The term Fisheries Commission means the Fisheries Commission provided for by Articles II, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV of the Convention.
The term Fisheries Commission means the Fisheries Commission provided for by Articles II, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV of the Convention.
(5) General Council
The term General Council means the General Council provided for by Article[1] II, III, IV, and V of the Convention.
The term General Council means the General Council provided for by Article[1] II, III, IV, and V of the Convention.
(6) Magnuson Act
The term Magnuson Act means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
The term Magnuson Act means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
(7) Organization
The term Organization means the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization provided for by Article II of the Convention.
The term Organization means the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization provided for by Article II of the Convention.
(8) Person
The term person means any individual (whether or not a citizen or national of the United States), and any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity (whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any State).
The term person means any individual (whether or not a citizen or national of the United States), and any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity (whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any State).
(9) Representative
The term Representative means a United States Representative to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Scientific Council appointed under section 5601 (c) of this title.
The term Representative means a United States Representative to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Scientific Council appointed under section 5601 (c) of this title.
(10) Scientific Council
The term Scientific Council means the Scientific Council provided for by Articles II, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X of the Convention.
The term Scientific Council means the Scientific Council provided for by Articles II, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X of the Convention.
(11) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “Articles”.
16 USC 5610 - Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this chapter, including use for payment as the United States contribution to the Organization as provided in Article XVI of the Convention, $500,000 for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2012.
16 USC 5611 - Annual report
The Secretary shall annually report to the Congress on the activities of the Fisheries Commission, the General Council, the Scientific Council, and the consultative committee established under section 5607 of this title.
16 USC 5612 - Quota allocation practice
(a) In general
The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Secretary of State, shall promptly seek to establish a new practice for allocating quotas under the Convention that
The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Secretary of State, shall promptly seek to establish a new practice for allocating quotas under the Convention that
(1) is predictable and transparent;
(2) provides fishing opportunities for all members of the Organization; and
(3) is consistent with the Straddling Fish Stocks Agreement.
(b) Report
The Secretary of Commerce shall include in annual reports under section 5611 of this title
The Secretary of Commerce shall include in annual reports under section 5611 of this title
(1) a description of the results of negotiations held pursuant to subsection (a) of this section;
(2) an identification of barriers to achieving such a new allocation practice; and
(3) recommendations for any further legislation that is necessary to achieve such a new practice.
(c) “Straddling Fish Stocks Agreement” defined
In this section the term Straddling Fish Stocks Agreement means the United Nations Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.
In this section the term Straddling Fish Stocks Agreement means the United Nations Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.