§7702 United States participation in the North Pacific Fisheries Convention

Summary

The United States must have five people as its Commissioners on the Commission. Two are picked by the President and must work for the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, or the Coast Guard, and they must know about North Pacific fisheries. The other three are the chairs (or their chosen replacements) of the North Pacific, Pacific, and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils. If a Commissioner’s spot is empty, the Secretary of State, with the Secretary of Commerce, can name an alternate who can act with full power and finish the term. An 11‑member advisory committee must be appointed by the Secretary. It includes commercial fishers from each council area, three indigenous members from the North Pacific region (including an Alaska Native, a Native Hawaiian or other Pacific native, and a Pacific Coast tribe member), one marine fisheries scientist from a bordering state, and four people nominated by the governors of Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and California. Members serve 2‑year terms and may be reappointed up to 3 consecutive terms. The Commissioners must tell the advisory committee about meetings, and the committee must attend, review, and comment on proposed work. The committee makes its own rules, publishes them, meets publicly except for private sessions, and may use teleconferences. The Secretary and Secretary of State must give the committee information and support. Committee members and non‑government Commissioners serve without pay and are not federal employees, except they are covered for injury compensation and tort claims under chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 28. The Secretary of State may pay travel costs under the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5, and the Secretary of Commerce may repay those costs.