Fishermen's Protective Act Amendments of 2000

Summary: Title II: Yukon River Salmon - Yukon River Salmon Act of 1999 - Establishes the Yukon River Salmon Panel. Includes among its duties: (1) advising the Secretary of State on the negotiation of any international agreement with Canada regarding management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada; and (2) advising the Secretary of the Interior on restoration and enhancement of those stocks. Authorizes the Secretary of State to designate Panel members to be the U.S. representatives on any successor to the panel established by a specified interim agreement between the United States and Canada for the conservation of salmon stocks, if authorized by any agreement establishing the successor.(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Governor of Alaska to establish and appoint an advisory committee of individuals knowledgeable regarding the Yukon River salmon fisheries. Allows committee members to attend all Panel meetings and requires that they be given the opportunity to examine and be heard on any Panel matter.(Sec. 205) Makes the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game the responsible U.S. management entity for the purposes of any agreement with Canada regarding management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River.(Sec. 207) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to carry out projects to restore or enhance such salmon stocks.(Sec. 208) Authorizes appropriations.Title III: Fishery Information Acquisition - Fisheries Survey Vessel Authorization Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to acquire and equip up to six fishery survey vessels. Authorizes appropriations.Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 to make it unlawful for any person, other than a person holding a purse seine permit, to: (1) use an aircraft to locate or otherwise assist in fishing for, catching, or retaining Atlantic bluefin tuna; or (2) catch, possess, or retain Atlantic bluefin tuna located by use of an aircraft.(Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Small Business Act relating to awards or contracts and notwithstanding specified Federal regulations, to seek to procure Fisheries Research Vessels through full and open competition from United States shipbuilding companies irrespective of size. Requires, as an award criterion, that at least 40 percent of the value of the total construction and outfitting contract be obtained from small business concerns either directly or through subcontracting.

TITLE I--EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER FISHERMEN'S 
                         PROTECTIVE ACT OF 1967

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Fishermen's Protective Act 
Amendments of 2000''.

SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER FISHERMEN'S 
              PROTECTIVE ACT OF 1967.

    (a) In General.--Section 7(e) of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 
1967 (22 U.S.C. 1977(e)) is amended by striking ``2000'' and inserting 
``2003''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--Section 7(a)(3) of the Fishermen's 
Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1977(a)(3)) is amended by striking 
``Secretary of the Interior'' and inserting ``Secretary of Commerce''.

                      TITLE II--YUKON RIVER SALMON

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000''.

SEC. 202. YUKON RIVER SALMON PANEL.

    (a) Establishment.--
        (1) In general.--There shall be a Yukon River Salmon Panel (in 
    this title referred to as the ``Panel'').
        (2) Functions.--The Panel shall--
            (A) advise the Secretary of State regarding the negotiation 
        of any international agreement with Canada relating to 
        management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in 
        Canada;
            (B) advise the Secretary of the Interior regarding 
        restoration and enhancement of such salmon stocks; and
            (C) perform other functions relating to conservation and 
        management of such salmon stocks as authorized by this or any 
        other title.
        (3) Designation as united states representatives on bilateral 
    body.--The Secretary of State may designate the members of the 
    Panel to be the United States representatives on any successor to 
    the panel established by the interim agreement for the conservation 
    of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada agreed 
    to through an exchange of notes between the Government of the 
    United States and the Government of Canada on February 3, 1995, if 
    authorized by any agreement establishing such successor.
    (b) Membership.--
        (1) In general.--The Panel shall be comprised of six members, 
    as follows:
            (A) One member who is an official of the United States 
        Government with expertise in salmon conservation and 
        management, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.
            (B) One member who is an official of the State of Alaska 
        with expertise in salmon conservation and management, who shall 
        be appointed by the Governor of Alaska.
            (C) Four members who are knowledgeable and experienced with 
        regard to the salmon fisheries on the Yukon River, who shall be 
        appointed by the Secretary of State in accordance with 
        paragraph (2).
        (2) Appointees from alaska.--(A) The Secretary of State shall 
    appoint the members under paragraph (1)(C) from a list of at least 
    three individuals nominated for each position by the Governor of 
    Alaska.
        (B) In making the nominations, the Governor of Alaska may 
    consider suggestions for nominations provided by organizations with 
    expertise in Yukon River salmon fisheries.
        (C) The Governor of Alaska may make appropriate nominations to 
    allow for appointment of, and the Secretary of State shall appoint, 
    under paragraph (1)(C)--
            (i) at least one member who is qualified to represent the 
        interests of Lower Yukon River fishing districts; and
            (ii) at least one member who is qualified to represent the 
        interests of Upper Yukon River fishing districts.
        (D) At least one of the members appointed under paragraph 
    (1)(C) shall be an Alaska Native.
        (3) Alternates.--(A) The Secretary of State may designate an 
    alternate Panel member for each Panel member the Secretary appoints 
    under paragraphs (1)(A) and (C), who meets the same qualifications, 
    to serve in the absence of the Panel member.
        (B) The Governor of the State of Alaska may designate an 
    alternative Panel member for the Panel member appointed under 
    subsection (b)(1)(B), who meets the same qualifications, to serve 
    in the absence of that Panel member.
    (c) Term Length.--Panel members and alternate Panel members shall 
serve 4-year terms. Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy 
occurring before the expiration of any term shall be appointed for the 
remainder of that term.
    (d) Reappointment.--Panel members and alternate Panel members shall 
be eligible for reappointment.
    (e) Decisions.--Decisions of the Panel shall be made by the 
consensus of the Panel members appointed under subparagraphs (B) and 
(C) of subsection (b)(1).
    (f) Consultation.--In carrying out their functions, Panel members 
may consult with such other interested parties as they consider 
appropriate.

SEC. 203. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Appointments.--The Governor of Alaska may establish and appoint 
an advisory committee of not less than eight, but not more than 12, 
individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced with regard to the 
salmon fisheries on the Yukon River. At least two of the advisory 
committee members shall be Alaska Natives. Members of the advisory 
committee may attend all meetings of the Panel, and shall be given the 
opportunity to examine and be heard on any matter under consideration 
by the Panel.
    (b) Compensation.--The members of such advisory committee shall 
receive no compensation for their services.
    (c) Term Length.--Members of such advisory committee shall serve 2-
year terms. Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before 
the expiration of any term shall be appointed for the remainder of that 
term.
    (d) Reappointment.--Members of such advisory committee shall be 
eligible for reappointment.

SEC. 204. EXEMPTION.

    The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to the Panel or to an advisory committee established under section 203.

SEC. 205. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

    (a) Responsible Management Entity.--The State of Alaska Department 
of Fish and Game shall be the responsible management entity for the 
United States for the purposes of any agreement with Canada regarding 
management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada.
    (b) Effect of Designation.--The designation under subsection (a) 
shall not be considered to expand, diminish, or otherwise change the 
management authority of the State of Alaska or the Federal Government 
with respect to fishery resources.
    (c) Recommendations of Panel.--In addition to recommendations made 
by the Panel to the responsible management entities in accordance with 
any agreement with Canada regarding management of salmon stocks 
originating from the Yukon River in Canada, the Panel may make 
recommendations concerning the conservation and management of salmon 
originating in the Yukon River to the Department of the Interior, the 
Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, and other Federal or State entities as 
appropriate. Recommendations by the Panel shall be advisory in nature.

SEC. 206. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation.--Panel members and alternate Panel members who 
are not State or Federal employees shall receive compensation at the 
daily rate of GS-15 of the General Schedule when engaged in the actual 
performance of duties.
    (b) Travel and Other Necessary Expenses.--Travel and other 
necessary expenses shall be paid by the Secretary of the Interior for 
all Panel members, alternate Panel members, and members of any advisory 
committee established under section 203 when engaged in the actual 
performance of duties.
    (c) Treatment as Federal Employees.--Except for officials of the 
United States Government, all Panel members, alternate Panel members, 
and members of any advisory committee established under section 203 
shall not be considered to be Federal employees while engaged in the 
actual performance of duties, except for the purposes of injury 
compensation or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 of 
title 5, United States Code, and chapter 71 of title 28, United States 
Code.

SEC. 207. YUKON RIVER SALMON STOCK RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT 
              PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Commerce, may carry out projects to restore or 
enhance salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada and 
the United States.
    (b) Cooperation With Canada.--If there is in effect an agreement 
between the Government of the United States and the Government of 
Canada for the conservation of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon 
River in Canada that includes provisions governing projects authorized 
under this section, then--
        (1) projects under this section shall be carried out in 
    accordance with that agreement; and
        (2) amounts available for projects under this section--
            (A) shall be expended in accordance with the agreement; and
            (B) may be deposited in any joint account established by 
        the agreement to fund such projects.

SEC. 208. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the 
Interior to carry out this title $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, of which--
        (1) such sums as are necessary shall be available each fiscal 
    year for travel expenses of Panel members, alternate Panel members, 
    United States members of the Joint Technical Committee established 
    by paragraph C.2 of the memorandum of understanding concerning the 
    Pacific Salmon Treaty between the Government of the United States 
    and the Government of Canada (recorded January 28, 1985), and 
    members of an advisory committee established and appointed under 
    section 203, in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and 
    sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5, United 
    States Code;
        (2) such sums as are necessary shall be available for the 
    United States share of expenses incurred by the Joint Technical 
    Committee and any panel established by any agreement between the 
    Government of the United States and the Government of Canada for 
    restoration and enhancement of salmon originating in Canada;
        (3) up to $3,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year for 
    activities by the Department of the Interior and the Department of 
    Commerce for survey, restoration, and enhancement activities 
    related to salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in 
    Canada, of which up to $1,200,000 shall be available each fiscal 
    year for Yukon River salmon stock restoration and enhancement 
    projects under section 207(b); and
        (4) $600,000 shall be available each fiscal year for 
    cooperative salmon research and management projects in the portion 
    of the Yukon River drainage located in the United States that are 
    recommended by the Panel.

               TITLE III--FISHERY INFORMATION ACQUISITION

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Fisheries Survey Vessel 
Authorization Act of 2000''.

SEC. 302. ACQUISITION OF FISHERY SURVEY VESSELS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability of 
appropriations, may in accordance with this section acquire, by 
purchase, lease, lease-purchase, or charter, and equip up to six 
fishery survey vessels in accordance with this section.
    (b) Vessel Requirements.--Any vessel acquired and equipped under 
this section must--
        (1) be capable of--
            (A) staying at sea continuously for at least 30 days;
            (B) conducting fishery population surveys using 
        hydroacoustic, longlining, deep water, and pelagic trawls, and 
        other necessary survey techniques; and
            (C) conducting other work necessary to provide fishery 
        managers with the accurate and timely data needed to prepare 
        and implement fishery management plans; and
        (2) have a hull that meets the International Council for 
    Exploration of the Sea standard regarding acoustic quietness.
    (c) Authorization.--To carry out this section there are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $60,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2002 and 2003.

                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 401. FISHERIES RESEARCH VESSEL PROCUREMENT.

    Notwithstanding section 644 of title 15, United States Code, and 
section 19.502-2 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, the 
Secretary of Commerce shall seek to procure Fisheries Research Vessels 
through full and open competition from responsible United States 
shipbuilding companies irrespective of size.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.