[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31525-31530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11159]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC003]


Nominations for U.S. Commissioners to Regional Fisheries 
Management Organizations

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

ACTION: Notice; call for nominations.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is soliciting nominations, which may include self-
nominations, for qualified individuals to serve as non-Federal U.S. 
Commissioners (Commissioners) to certain regional fisheries management 
organizations (RFMOs). This action is being undertaken to enhance 
transparency in the process of identifying potential candidates for 
Commissioner positions and to increase diversity in the candidate pool 
to help ensure the views and interests of the range of U.S. 
stakeholders are considered in the process of developing and advancing 
U.S. positions at RFMOs. Nominations are open to all qualified 
individuals and may include current or previous Commissioners and 
Alternate Commissioners for certain RFMOs where eligible.

DATES: Nominations and any supporting documentation must be received by 
July 8, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for U.S. Commissioners may be submitted

[[Page 31526]]

electronically to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c42414a5f025e4a4143026c42434d4d024b435a">[email protected]</a>. Please include ``Nomination for 
__'' and the relevant organization(s) in the subject line of the 
message (e.g., ``Nomination for WCPFC'', etc.).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terra Lederhouse, phone (301) 427-
8360, or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0f4c5d2d2c18eecc5c4c5d2c8cfd5d3c5e0cecfc1c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c58697e7e6d22406968697e6463797f694c62636d6d226b637a">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Because fish and other marine species cross national boundaries, 
the United States shares living marine resources with other countries. 
The way other countries manage these shared marine resources can 
directly affect the status and long-term use of fish stocks and 
protected or endangered species of importance to the United States. For 
this reason, the United States participates in several RFMOs, which are 
treaty-based bodies whose objective is to ensure the sustainable 
conservation and management of shared fish stocks and other living 
marine resources through international cooperation. Each RFMO has 
regularly scheduled meetings in which nations adopt binding 
conservation and management measures, and throughout the year, there 
are typically intersessional meetings of RFMO subsidiary bodies to 
address specific scientific and management issues.
    The United States is represented in the below-described RFMOs by 
Commissioners who are appointed by the President or the Secretary of 
Commerce, depending on the organization. The lead U.S. Commissioner to 
each RFMO is an employee of the Federal Government. Non-Federal 
Commissioners are selected from among individuals with fisheries 
knowledge and experience as described in U.S. statutes that implement 
the RFMO treaties. The Commissioners may participate in meetings of 
advisory committees and in other meetings to help develop the United 
States' positions for RFMO meetings. The Commissioners then serve on 
the U.S. delegations to RFMO meetings where they must support the 
finalized, U.S. positions on the conservation and management of shared 
living marine resources even in cases where such positions may be 
contrary or different to their views or advice. The Secretary of State, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, may designate Alternate 
U.S. Commissioners to serve in the absence of a U.S. Commissioner.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit nominations for 
individuals to serve as non-Federal U.S. Commissioners to certain 
RFMOs. NMFS, and the U.S. government more generally, are committed to 
advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at all 
levels, including within the communities we serve and protect. 
Consistent with this commitment, NMFS is taking steps aimed at 
increasing the diversity of stakeholder voices that represent the 
United States in our international fisheries engagements, including by 
promoting greater diversity and representation of underserved 
communities in the pool of potential candidates for appointment as non-
Federal U.S. Commissioners to RFMOs. Through this notice, NMFS is also 
taking steps to advance a transparent process that promotes equity, 
inclusion, and accessibility when seeking nominees to serve in these 
important roles. As such, NMFS encourages nominations for women and for 
individuals from underserved communities that meet the knowledge, 
experience, and other legal requirements of the positions described in 
this notice. See Executive Order (E.O.) 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity 
and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government) 
Sec.  2 (defining ``underserved communities'' as ``populations sharing 
a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that 
have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in 
aspects of economic, social, and civic life,'' ``such as Black, Latino, 
and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific 
Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; 
persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons 
otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.''). 
E.O. 13985 is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.
    NMFS is soliciting nominations for individuals who are qualified to 
serve as U.S. Commissioners to the RFMOs described below. NMFS' goal is 
to have on-hand a pool of qualified candidates, who meet qualifications 
under the relevant RFMO treaty implementing statutes and who can be 
considered, as the need arises, for recommendations for U.S. 
Commissioner vacancies. This pool may also be considered, as the need 
arises, for designation of Alternate Commissioners. Current 
Commissioners that are interested in being included in the pool of 
qualified candidates may, but are not required to, indicate as such 
through self-nomination or nomination by someone else. Separate from 
any nominations received per this notice, NMFS and/or its federal 
agency partners may also independently make Commissioner 
recommendations.

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)

    IATTC is an intergovernmental organization established under the 
1949 Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission. In 2003, IATTC adopted the Convention for the 
Strengthening of the IATTC Established by the 1949 Convention between 
the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua 
Convention). The Antigua Convention entered into force in 2010. The 
United States acceded to the Antigua Convention on February 24, 2016. 
IATTC consists of 21 member nations and five cooperating non-member 
nations and facilitates scientific research into, as well as the 
conservation and management of, tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC 
Convention Area. The IATTC Convention Area is defined as waters of the 
eastern Pacific Ocean within the area bounded by the west coast of the 
Americas and by 50[deg] N latitude, 150[deg] W longitude, and 50[deg] S 
latitude. IATTC maintains a scientific research and fishery monitoring 
program and regularly assesses the status of tuna, sharks, and billfish 
stocks in the IATTC Convention Area to determine appropriate catch 
limits and other measures deemed necessary to promote sustainable 
fisheries and prevent the overexploitation of these stocks. More 
information on IATTC can be found at https://www.iattc.org/.
    As a Party to the Antigua Convention and a member of IATTC, the 
United States is legally bound to implement decisions of the IATTC. The 
Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) directs the Secretary of 
Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect 
to enforcement measures, the U.S. Coast Guard, to promulgate such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States' 
obligations under the Antigua Convention, including recommendations and 
decisions adopted by the IATTC. This work is carried out by NMFS.
    The Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) requires that the 
United States be represented on the IATTC by four U.S. Commissioners. 
16 U.S.C. 952(a). U.S. Commissioners are

[[Page 31527]]

appointed by the President and must be knowledgeable or experienced 
concerning highly migratory fish stocks in the eastern tropical Pacific 
Ocean. Of the U.S. Commissioners:
    (1) One shall be an officer or employee of the Department of 
Commerce; and
    (2) Not more than two United States Commissioners may be appointed 
who reside in a State other than a State whose vessels maintain a 
substantial fishery in the area of the Convention.
    In addition, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
Secretary, may designate from time to time and for periods of time 
deemed appropriate Alternate U.S. Commissioners to the IATTC. 16 U.S.C. 
952(b). Any Alternate U.S. Commissioner may exercise, at any meeting of 
the IATTC or of the General Advisory Committee or Scientific Advisory 
Subcommittee, all powers and duties of a U.S. Commissioner in the 
absence of any appointed U.S. Commissioner for whatever reason. The 
number of such Alternate U.S. Commissioners that may be designated for 
any such meeting shall be limited to the number of U.S. Commissioners 
appointed who will not be present at such meeting.
    Commissioners who are not officers or employees of the United 
States Government are not considered to be Federal employees except for 
the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims liability as 
provided in chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 28. 16 
U.S.C. 952(c)(1).
    In carrying out their official duties, a certain amount of travel 
to both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but may include up to three 
trips lasting a week or less and one trip, usually to an international 
destination, lasting up to two weeks. Necessary travel expenses are 
paid by the U.S. Department of State as provided under 16 U.S.C. 
952(c)(3). Commissioners (or Alternate Commissioners, see 16 U.S.C. 
952(b)) receive no compensation for their services. 16 U.S.C. 
952(c)(2).

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

    ICCAT is an intergovernmental organization established under the 
International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT 
Convention) to provide an effective program of international 
cooperation in research and conservation in recognition of the unique 
problems related to the highly migratory nature of tuna and tuna-like 
species. The ICCAT Convention entered into force in 1969, and the 
Convention Area includes all waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including 
the adjacent Seas. In addition to tuna and tuna-like species, ICCAT has 
adopted measures for sharks and certain other species, such as seabirds 
and sea turtles, caught in association with ICCAT fisheries. The ICCAT 
Commission holds an annual meeting in November of each year, which 
generally runs between 8-10 days. ICCAT also convenes meetings of 
working groups and other ICCAT subsidiary bodies each year between 
annual meetings to advance specific issues. More information on ICCAT 
can be found at www.iccat.int.
    Atlantic highly migratory species are managed domestically under 
the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (MSA), 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., and the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act (ATCA), 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. ATCA requires the 
Secretary of Commerce to promulgate such regulations as may be 
necessary and appropriate to implement ICCAT recommendations, and this 
work is carried out by NMFS.
    Section 971a of ATCA (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) requires that the 
United States be represented at ICCAT by not more than three 
Commissioners. 16 U.S.C. 971a(a)(1). U.S. Commissioners are appointed 
by and serve at the pleasure of the President. ATCA provides that the 
term of a Commissioner is 3 years. Non-government Commissioners are not 
eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms. 16 U.S.C. 
971a(a)(3). Of the Commissioners, ATCA at 16 U.S.C. 971a(a)(2) provides 
that:
    (1) Not more than one shall be a salaried employee of any State or 
political subdivision thereof, or the Federal Government;
    (2) One shall be appointed from among individuals with knowledge 
and experience regarding commercial fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf 
of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea; and
    (3) One shall be appointed from among individuals with knowledge 
and experience regarding recreational fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, 
Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea.
    Non-government commissioners are not considered to be Federal 
employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims 
liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 
28. 16 U.S.C. 971a(a)(1).
    In carrying out their official duties, a certain amount of travel 
to both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but may include up to six 
trips lasting a week or less and one trip, usually to an international 
destination, lasting up to two weeks. Necessary travel expenses are 
paid by the U.S. Department of State as provided under ATCA at 16 
U.S.C. 971a(d). Commissioners (or Alternate Commissioners, see 16 
U.S.C. 971a(b)) receive no compensation for their services.

International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)

    IPHC is a bilateral organization established pursuant to the 
Convention between Canada and the United States for the Preservation of 
the Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Halibut 
Convention). The Halibut Convention was signed at Ottawa, Ontario, on 
March 2, 1953, and was amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention 
signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979. The Halibut Convention's 
central objective is to develop the stocks of Pacific halibut in waters 
off the west coasts of Canada and the United States to levels that will 
permit the optimum yield from the Pacific halibut fishery and to 
maintain the stocks at those levels. IPHC fulfills this objective in 
part by recommending Pacific halibut fishery conservation and 
management measures for approval by the United States and Canada. More 
information on IPHC can be found at https://www.iphc.int.
    Pursuant to section 5(b)(1) of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 
1982 (16 U.S.C. 773c(b)(1)), the Secretary of Commerce adopts such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and 
objectives of the Halibut Convention.
    Section 3 of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 
773a) requires that the United States be represented on IPHC by three 
U.S. Commissioners. U.S. Commissioners are appointed by and serve at 
the pleasure of the President for a term not to exceed two years, but 
are eligible for reappointment. Of the Commissioners:
    (1) One must be an official of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration; and
    (2) One must be a resident of Alaska that is knowledgeable or 
experienced concerning the Northern Pacific halibut fishery;
    (3) One must be a nonresident of Alaska that is knowledgeable or 
experienced concerning the Northern Pacific halibut fishery; and
    (4) Of the three commissioners, one must also be a voting member of 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    Commissioners who are not currently Federal employees will not be

[[Page 31528]]

considered to be Federal employees except for the purposes of injury 
compensation or tort claims liability as provided in section 8101 et 
seq. of title 5 and section 2671 et seq. of title 28, United States 
Code.
    In carrying out their official duties, a certain amount of travel 
to both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but may include up to three 
trips lasting a week or less. Necessary travel expenses are paid by the 
U.S. Department of State. Commissioners receive no compensation for 
their services.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)

    NAFO is an intergovernmental fisheries management body established 
in 1979 by the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the 
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO Convention). The United States 
acceded to the NAFO Convention in 1995, and has participated actively 
in NAFO since that time. In 2005, NAFO launched a reform effort to 
amend the Convention in order bring the Organization more in line with 
the principles of modern fisheries management. As a result of these 
efforts, the Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral 
Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries entered into force in 
May 2017. NAFO's Commission is responsible for the management and 
conservation of the fishery resources in the international waters of 
the Northwest Atlantic, except salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and 
sedentary species such as shellfish. More information on NAFO can be 
found at https://www.nafo.int/.
    Pursuant to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 
(16 U.S.C. 76), the Secretary of Commerce promulgates regulations as 
may be necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the NAFO 
Convention, including NAFO conservation and management measures.
    The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 requires 
that the United States be represented at NAFO by not more than three 
Commissioners. U.S. Commissioners are appointed by and serve at the 
pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce for a term that may not exceed 
four years. Non-government Commissioners are not eligible to serve more 
than two consecutive terms as a Commissioner, but are eligible for 
reappointment. Each Commissioner must be knowledgeable and experienced 
concerning the fishery resources to which the NAFO Convention applies. 
Of the Commissioners:
    (1) One, but not more than one, must be an official of the 
Government;
    (2) At least one must be a representative of the commercial fishing 
industry; and
    (3) One must be a voting (non-Government employee) member of the 
New England Fishery Management Council.
    Commissioners who are not currently Federal employees are not 
considered to be Federal employees except for the purposes of injury 
compensation or tort claims liability as provided under chapter 81 of 
title 5 and chapter 171 of title 28.
    In carrying out their official duties, a certain amount of travel 
to both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but may include up to three 
trips lasting a week or less and one trip, usually to an international 
destination, lasting up to two weeks. Necessary travel expenses are 
paid by the U.S. Department of State. Commissioners receive no 
compensation for their services.

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO)

    NASCO is an intergovernmental organization established in 1984 by 
the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic 
Ocean, 1982 (NASCO Convention), with the objective to conserve, 
restore, enhance and rationally manage Atlantic salmon through 
international cooperation, taking account of best available scientific 
information. The NASCO Convention applies to the salmon stocks that 
migrate beyond areas of fisheries jurisdiction of coastal States of the 
Atlantic Ocean north of 36 degrees N latitude throughout their 
migratory range. More information on NASCO can be found at https://nasco.int/.
    Pursuant to the Atlantic Salmon Convention Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 
3601), the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Secretary of 
the Interior and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating, promulgate such regulations pursuant to section 553 
of title 5, United States Code, as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes and objectives of the Convention and that title, and to 
implement regulatory measures that are binding on the United States 
under the Convention.
    The Atlantic Salmon Convention Act of 1982 provides that the United 
States shall be represented in NASCO by three U.S. Commissioners, 
appointed by and to serve at the pleasure of the President. Of the 
three Commissioners:
    (1) One must be an official of the U.S. Government; and
    (2) Two must be individuals (not officials of the U.S. Government) 
who are knowledgeable or experienced in the conservation and management 
of salmon of U.S. origin.
    Non-government commissioners are not considered to be Federal 
employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims 
liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 
28.
    In carrying out their official duties, a modest amount of travel to 
both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but may include up to three 
trips lasting a maximum of a few days each and one trip, usually to an 
international destination, lasting one week. Necessary travel expenses 
are paid by the U.S. Department of State. Commissioners receive no 
compensation for their services.

North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC)

    NPAFC is an intergovernmental organization established by the 
Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North 
Pacific Ocean (NPAFC Convention). The NPAFC Convention was signed on 
February 11, 1992, and took effect on February 16, 1993. The objective 
of the Commission is to promote the conservation of anadromous stocks 
(Pacific salmon and steelhead trout) in the Convention Area. The 
Convention Area includes the international waters of the North Pacific 
Ocean and its adjacent seas north of 33[deg] North beyond the 200-mile 
zone (exclusive economic zones) of the coastal States. More information 
on NPAFC can be found at https://npafc.org/.
    Pursuant to the North Pacific Anadromous Stocks Act of 1992 (16 
U.S.C. 5006), the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Transportation and the U.S. Commissioners, is responsible 
for issuing regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes 
and objectives of the Convention and the Act.
    The North Pacific Anadromous Stocks Act of 1992 provides that the 
United States shall be represented on the NPAFC by not more than three 
U.S. Commissioners, appointed by and to serve at the pleasure of the 
President for a term not to exceed four years, but are eligible for 
reappointment. 16 U.S.C. 5003(a). Of the Commissioners:
    (1) One must be an official of the U.S. Government;

[[Page 31529]]

    (2) One must be a resident of the State of Alaska who is 
knowledgeable or experienced concerning anadromous stocks and 
ecologically-related species of the North Pacific Ocean; and
    (3) One must be a resident of the State of Washington who is 
knowledgeable or experienced concerning anadromous stocks and 
ecologically-related species of the North Pacific Ocean.
    The U.S. Commissioners, in consultation with an advisory panel, 
identify and recommend to the NPAFC research needs and priorities for 
anadromous stocks and ecologically-related species and oversee research 
programs involving such fisheries, stocks, and species. 16 U.S.C. 
5003(c). Anadromous stocks are the stocks of species listed in the 
Annex to the NPAFC Convention (six species of Pacific salmon and 
steelhead trout), and ecologically-related species are the living 
marine species that are associated with anadromous stocks found in the 
Convention Area, including, but not restricted to, both predators and 
prey of anadromous fish. 16 U.S.C. 5002(1) & (8).
    Non-government commissioners are not considered to be Federal 
employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims 
liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 
28. 16 U.S.C. 5003(a).
    In carrying out their official duties, a modest amount of travel is 
required. The total number of trips varies from year-to-year but is 
typically one trip per year lasting less than a week, usually to an 
international destination. Necessary travel expenses are paid by the 
U.S. Department of State. 16 U.S.C. 5003(e). Commissioners receive no 
compensation for their services. 16 U.S.C. 5003(d).

South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO)

    SPRFMO is an intergovernmental organization established in 2012 by 
the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery 
Resources in the South Pacific Ocean (SPRMO Convention). SPRFMO is 
committed to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the 
fishery resources of the South Pacific Ocean and, in so doing, 
safeguarding the marine ecosystems in which the resources occur. The 
SPRFMO Convention applies to the high seas of the South Pacific, 
covering about a fourth of the Earth's high seas areas. Currently, the 
main commercial resources fished in the SPRFMO Area are Jack mackerel 
and jumbo flying squid in the Southeast Pacific and, to a much lesser 
degree, deep-sea species often associated with seamounts in the 
Southwest Pacific. More information on SPRFMO can be found at https://www.sprfmo.int/.
    The implementing legislation for the SPRFMO (16 U.S.C. 7801 et 
seq.) provides that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State and the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating, may promulgate such regulations as may be 
necessary and appropriate to carry out the international obligations of 
the United States under the SPRFMO Convention, including implementation 
of SPRFMO conservation and management measures. 16 U.S.C. 7804(b).
    The SPRFMO legislation also provides that the United States shall 
be represented in SPRFMO by not more than three U.S. Commissioners, who 
are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the President and who are 
knowledgeable or experienced concerning fishery resources in the South 
Pacific Ocean. Of the Commissioners:
    (1) One must be an officer or employee of the Department of 
Commerce, Department of State, or the Coast Guard; and
    (2) One shall be the chairperson or designee of the Western Pacific 
Fishery Management Council.
    Non-government commissioners are not considered to be Federal 
employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims 
liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 
28. 16 U.S.C. 7802(c)(1).
    In carrying out their official duties, a modest amount of travel to 
both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but typically includes one 
trip per year lasting less than two weeks, usually to an international 
destination. Necessary travel expenses are paid by the U.S. Department 
of State as provided under 16 U.S.C. 7802(c)(3). Commissioners (or 
Alternate Commissioners, see id. Sec.  7802(b)) receive no compensation 
for their services. Id. Sec.  7802(c)(2).

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

    WCPFC is an intergovernmental organization established by the 
Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish 
Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC Convention) 
which entered into force on 19 June 2004. The objective of WCPFC is to 
ensure, through effective management, the long-term conservation and 
sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks in the western and 
central Pacific Ocean. The WCPFC Convention applies to all species of 
highly migratory fish stocks (defined as all fish stocks of the species 
listed in Annex I of the 1982 Convention occurring in the Convention 
Area and such other species of fish as the Commission may determine) 
within the WCPFC Convention Area, except sauries. Conservation and 
management measures under the WCPFC Convention are to be applied 
throughout the range of the stocks, or to specific areas within the 
WCPFC Convention Area, as determined by WCPFC. More information about 
WCPFC can be found at https://www.wcpfc.int/.
    Pursuant to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention 
Implementation Act, 2007 (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), the Secretary of 
Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect 
to enforcement measures, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is 
authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry 
out the United States international obligations under the WCPFC 
Convention, including implementation of WCPFC conservation and 
management measures.
    The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation 
Act provides that the United States shall be represented in WCPFC by 
five U.S. Commissioners, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of 
the President, who must be knowledgeable or experienced concerning 
highly migratory fish stocks and commercial fishing in the western and 
central Pacific Ocean. Of the Commissioners:
    (1) One must be an officer or employee of the Department of 
Commerce;
    (2) One must be a Chairman or Member of the Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council; and
    (3) One must be a Chairman or Member of the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council.
    Non-government commissioners are not considered to be Federal 
employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims 
liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5 and chapter 171 of title 
28.
    In carrying out their official duties, a certain amount of travel 
to both domestic and international destinations is required. The total 
number of trips varies from year-to-year but may include up to three 
trips lasting a week or less, usually to an international destination, 
and one domestic trip for less than one week. Necessary travel expenses 
are paid by the U.S. Department of State.

[[Page 31530]]

Commissioners receive no compensation for their services.

Nomination Process

    NMFS is soliciting nominations for non-Federal Commissioner 
positions listed below. As explained in the Background Section, the 
purpose of this action is to develop a pool of qualified candidates, 
who can be considered, as the need arises, for recommendations for U.S. 
Commissioner vacancies or for designation as Alternate Commissioners. 
Pursuant to the RFMO statutes described below, there may be ``up to'' a 
certain number of non-Federal U.S. Commissioners. There is no limit 
though on the number of nominees that may be submitted for 
consideration. Successful nominees will be considered for appointment 
by the appropriate authority and, pending such action by that 
authority, may receive an interim designation by the Department of 
State, as needed and appropriate. Separate from any nominations 
received per this notice, NMFS and/or its federal agency partners may 
also independently make Commissioner recommendations. Current 
Commissioners that are interested in being included in the pool of 
qualified candidates may, but are not required to, indicate as such 
through self-nomination or nomination by someone else.
    <bullet> IATTC: Up to three U.S. Commissioners who are not an 
officer or employee of the Department of Commerce. Not more than two 
U.S. Commissioners may be appointed who reside in a State other than a 
State whose vessels maintain a substantial fishery in the area of the 
Convention. Nomination packages for these positions should provide 
details of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to highly 
migratory fish stocks in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, as well as 
current state of residence.
    <bullet> ICCAT: Up to two U.S. Commissioners who are not salaried 
employees of any State or political subdivision thereof, or the Federal 
Government. Nomination packages for these positions should provide 
details of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to 
commercial and/or recreational fishing, in particular for tuna, tuna-
like species and other highly migratory species, in the Atlantic Ocean, 
Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea.
    <bullet> IPHC: Up to two U.S. Commissioners who are not officials 
of NOAA. Nomination packages for these positions should provide details 
of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to Pacific halibut, 
as well as current state of residence.
    <bullet> NAFO: One U.S. Commissioner who is not an official of the 
Government. Nomination packages for this position should provide 
details of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to the 
fishery resources to which the Convention applies, specifically as it 
relates to representing the commercial fishing industry.
    <bullet> NASCO: Up to two U.S. Commissioners who are not officials 
of the U.S. Government. Nomination packages for these positions should 
provide details of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to 
the conservation and management of salmon of U.S. origin.
    <bullet> NPAFC: Up to two U.S. Commissioners who are not officials 
of the U.S. Government. Nomination packages for these positions should 
provide details of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to 
the anadromous stocks and ecologically-related species of the North 
Pacific Ocean, as well as current state of residence. Note that to be 
considered for appointment, individuals must be a resident of the State 
of Alaska or the State of Washington.
    <bullet> SPRFMO: One U.S. Commissioner who is knowledgeable or 
experienced concerning fishery resources in the South Pacific Ocean, 
and who is not an official of the U.S. Government or the selected 
Commissioner representative of the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council. Nomination packages for this position should provide details 
of the nominee's knowledge and experience relative to the fishery 
resources in the South Pacific Ocean.
    <bullet> WCPFC: Up to two U.S. Commissioners who are not officers 
or employees of the Department of Commerce or the selected Commissioner 
representative of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council or 
Pacific Fishery Management Council. Nomination packages for this 
position should provide details of the nominee's knowledge and 
experience relative to highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and 
Central Pacific Ocean.
    Nomination packages submitted to recommend that an individual (not 
an official of the U.S. Government) be considered for the pool of 
Commissioner/Alternate Commissioner candidates should note the relevant 
RFMO(s) for consideration and include a resume or curriculum vitae that 
documents that individual's qualifications and state of residence. 
Self-nominations are acceptable. Letters of recommendation/support are 
useful but not required. Nomination packages will be evaluated by NOAA, 
in consultation with the Department of State and other federal agency 
partners as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis by officials who are 
familiar with the requirements, duties, and responsibilities of the 
respective positions.
    Evaluations will consider the aggregate of an individual's prior 
experience and knowledge of the specific fisheries concerned, any 
applicable residency or other legal requirements, and any letters of 
recommendation provided.

    Dated: May 18, 2022.
Alexa Cole,
Director, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-11159 Filed 5-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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