§5504 Responsibilities of Secretary

Summary

Keep an automated list of high seas fishing vessels that hold permits under section 5503, including all the information they sent under section 5503(c)(2). Working with the Secretary of State and the department that runs the Coast Guard, the Secretary must share that list with FAO, quickly tell FAO about changes, additions, or removals (and why), give FAO details about permits under section 5503(b)(3) like the vessel’s identity and owner or operator, report any vessel actions that weaken international conservation rules (including vessel identity and penalties), and send FAO a summary of evidence about foreign vessels that undermine those measures. If there are reasonable grounds to think a foreign vessel harmed conservation efforts, the Secretary must give the flag nation the relevant information and evidence. If that vessel is voluntarily in a U.S. port, the Secretary must promptly notify the flag nation and, if asked, arrange lawful checks to determine if the vessel broke the Agreement. The Secretary may create rules under section 553 of title 5 to carry out the Agreement, coordinate those rules with other regulators to avoid duplicate permit and reporting requirements, try to keep them consistent with the Magnuson‑Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and, with the Secretary of State, publish from time to time in the Federal Register a list of international conservation and management measures the United States recognizes.