North Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act

To implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, as adopted at Tokyo on February 24, 2012, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the North Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Advisory Committee The term Advisory Committee (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Commissioner The term Commissioner (4) Convention Area The term Convention Area (A) means the waters of the high seas areas of the North Pacific Ocean; and (B) excludes— (i) the high seas areas of the Bering Sea and other high seas areas that are surrounded by the exclusive economic zone of a single nation, which are bounded to the south by a continuous line beginning at the seaward limit of waters under the jurisdiction of the United States around the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands at 20 degrees North latitude, then proceeding East and connecting the coordinates: 20°00′00″, 180°00′00″E/W; 10°00′00″N 180°00′00″E/W; 10°00′00″N, 140°00′00″W; 20°00′00″N, 140°00′00″W; and thence East to the seaward limit of waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Mexico; and (ii) the exclusive economic zone of the United States or of any other country. (5) Council The term Council 16 U.S.C. 1852 (6) Exclusive economic zone The term exclusive economic zone (A) with respect to the United States, the zone established by Presidential Proclamation Numbered 5030 of March 10, 1983 ( 16 U.S.C. 1453 (B) with respect to a foreign country, a designated zone similar to the zone referred to in subparagraph (A) for that country. (7) Fisheries resources (A) In general The term fisheries resources (B) Exclusions The term fisheries resources (i) sedentary species insofar as they are subject to the sovereign rights of coastal nations consistent with Article 77, paragraph 4 of the 1982 Convention and indicator species of vulnerable marine ecosystems as listed in, or adopted pursuant to, Article 13, paragraph 5 of the North Pacific Fisheries Convention; (ii) catadromous species; (iii) marine mammals, marine reptiles, or seabirds; or (iv) other marine species already covered by pre-existing international fisheries management instruments within the area of competence of such instruments. (8) Fishing activities (A) In general The term fishing activities (i) the actual or attempted searching for, catching, taking, or harvesting of fisheries resources; (ii) engaging in any activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the locating, catching, taking, or harvesting of fisheries resources for any purpose; (iii) the processing of fisheries resources at sea; (iv) the transhipment of fisheries resources at sea or in port; or (v) any operation at sea in direct support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in clauses (i) through (iv), including transshipment. (B) Exclusions The term fishing activities (9) Fishing vessel The term fishing vessel (10) High seas The term high seas (11) North Pacific Fisheries Convention The term North Pacific Fisheries Convention (12) Person The term person (A) any individual, whether or not a citizen or national of the United States; (B) any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity, whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any State; or (C) any Federal, State, local, tribal, or foreign government or any entity of such government. (13) Secretary Except as otherwise specifically provided, the term Secretary (14) State The term State (15) Straddling stock The term straddling stock (16) Transshipment The term transshipment (17) 1982 Convention The term 1982 Convention 3. United States participation in the North Pacific Fisheries Convention (a) United States Commissioners (1) Number of Commissioners The United States shall be represented on the Commission by 5 United States Commissioners. (2) Selection of Commissioners The United States Commissioners shall be as follows: (A) Appointment by the President (i) In general Two of the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President and shall be an officer or employee of— (I) the Department of Commerce; (II) the Department of State; or (III) the United States Coast Guard. (ii) Selection criteria In making each appointment under clause (i), the President shall select a Commissioner from among individuals who are knowledgeable or experienced concerning fisheries resources in the North Pacific Ocean. (B) North Pacific Fishery Management Council One Commissioner shall be the chairperson of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council or a designee of such chairperson. (C) Pacific Fishery Management Council One Commissioner shall be the chairperson of the Pacific Fishery Management Council or a designee of such chairperson. (D) Western Pacific Fishery Management Council One Commissioner shall be the chairperson of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council or a designee of such chairperson. (b) Alternate Commissioners In the event of a vacancy in a Commissioner appointed under subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, may designate from time to time and for periods of time considered appropriate an alternate Commissioner to the Commission. An alternate Commissioner may exercise all powers and duties of a Commissioner in the absence of a Commissioner appointed under subsection (a), and shall serve the remainder of the term of the absent Commissioner for which designated. (c) Administrative matters (1) Employment status An individual serving as a Commissioner, or an alternative Commissioner, other than an officer or employee of the United States Government, shall not be considered a Federal employee, except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 chapter 171 (2) Compensation An individual serving as a Commissioner or an alternate Commissioner, although an officer of the United States while so serving, shall receive no compensation for the individual’s services as such Commissioner or alternate Commissioner. (3) Travel expenses (A) In general The Secretary of State shall pay the necessary travel expenses of a Commissioner or an alternate Commissioner in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5, United States Code. (B) Reimbursement The Secretary may reimburse the Secretary of State for amounts expended by the Secretary of State under this paragraph. (d) Advisory committee (1) Establishment of permanent advisory committee (A) Membership There is established an advisory committee which shall be composed of 11 members appointed by the Secretary, including— (i) a member engaging in commercial fishing activities in the management area of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council; (ii) a member engaging in commercial fishing activities in the management area of the Pacific Fishery Management Council; (iii) a member engaging in commercial fishing activities in the management area of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; (iv) 3 members from the indigenous population of the North Pacific including an Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or a native-born inhabitant of any State of the United States in the Pacific, and an individual from a Pacific Coast tribe; (v) a member that is a marine fisheries scientist that is a resident of a State the adjacent exclusive economic zone for which is bounded by the Convention Area; (vi) a member nominated by the Governor of the State of Alaska; (vii) a member nominated by the Governor of the State of Hawaii; and (viii) a member nominated by the Governor of the State of Washington. (B) Terms and privileges Each member of the Advisory Committee shall serve for a term of 2 years and shall be eligible for reappointment for not more than 3 consecutive terms. The Commissioners shall notify the Advisory Committee in advance of each meeting of the Commissioners. The Advisory Committee shall attend each meeting and shall examine and be heard on all proposed programs, investigations, reports, recommendations, and regulations of the Commissioners. (C) Procedures (i) In general The Advisory Committee shall determine its organization and prescribe its practices and procedures for carrying out its functions under this Act, the North Pacific Fisheries Convention, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (ii) Public availability of procedures The Advisory Committee shall publish and make available to the public a statement of its organization, practices, and procedures. (iii) Quorum A majority of the members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. (iv) Public meetings Meetings of the Advisory Committee, except when in executive session, shall be open to the public. Prior notice of each non-executive meeting shall be made public in a timely fashion. The Advisory Committee shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). (D) Provision of information The Secretary and the Secretary of State shall furnish the Advisory Committee with relevant information concerning fisheries resources and international fishery agreements. (2) Administrative matters (A) Support services The Secretary shall provide to the Advisory Committee in a timely manner such administrative and technical support services as are necessary to function effectively. (B) Compensation; status An individual appointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee— (i) shall serve without pay; and (ii) shall not be considered a Federal employee, except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 chapter 171 (C) Travel expenses (i) In general The Secretary of State shall pay the necessary travel expenses of members of the Advisory Committee in carrying out the duties of the Advisory Committee in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701, 5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5, United States Code. (ii) Reimbursement The Secretary may reimburse the Secretary of State for amounts expended by the Secretary of State under this subparagraph. (e) United States participation In instances in which the United States is participating in any meeting of the parties to the North Pacific Fisheries Convention, the United States shall be represented by the Commissioners and the Advisory Committee. 4. Authority and responsibility of the Secretary of State The Secretary of State may— (1) receive and transmit, on behalf of the United States, reports, requests, recommendations, proposals, decisions, and other communications of and to the Commission; (2) in consultation with the Secretary, approve, disapprove, object to, or withdraw objections to bylaws and rules, or amendments thereof, adopted by the Commission; (3) with the concurrence of the Secretary, approve or disapprove the general annual program of the Commission with respect to conservation and management measures and other measures proposed or adopted in accordance with the North Pacific Fisheries Convention; and (4) act upon, or refer to other appropriate authority, any communication under paragraph (1). 5. Authority of the Secretary of Commerce (a) Promulgation of regulations (1) Authority The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect to enforcement measures, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States international obligations under the North Pacific Fisheries Convention and this Act, including recommendations and decisions adopted by the Commission. (2) Regulations of straddling stocks In the implementation of a measure adopted by the Commission that would govern a straddling stock under the authority of a Council, any regulation promulgated by the Secretary to implement such measure shall be approved by such Council. (b) Rule of construction Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall be applicable only to a person or a fishing vessel that is or has engaged in fishing activities, or fisheries resources covered by the North Pacific Fisheries Convention under this Act. (c) Additional authority The Secretary may conduct, and may request and utilize on a reimbursed or non-reimbursed basis the assistance, services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of other Federal departments and agencies in— (1) scientific, research, and other programs under this Act; (2) fishing operations and biological experiments for purposes of scientific investigation or other purposes necessary to implement the North Pacific Fisheries Convention; (3) the collection, utilization, and disclosure of such information as may be necessary to implement the North Pacific Fisheries Convention, subject to sections 552 and 552a of title 5, United States Code, and section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1881a(b) (4) if recommended by the Commissioners, the assessment and collection of fees, not to exceed 3 percent of the ex-vessel value of fisheries resource harvested by vessels of the United States in fisheries conducted in the Convention Area, to recover the actual costs to the United States of management and enforcement under this Act, which shall be deposited as an offsetting collection in, and credited to, the account providing appropriations to carry out the functions of the Secretary under this Act; and (5) the issuance of permits to owners and operators of United States vessels to engage in fishing activities in the Convention Area seaward of the exclusive economic zone of the United States, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, including the period of time that a permit is valid. (d) Consistency with other laws The Secretary shall ensure the consistency, to the extent practicable, of fishery management programs administered under this Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 973 et seq. Public Law 108–219 16 U.S.C. 1821 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. Public Law 102–567 Public Law 100–629 (e) Judicial review of regulations (1) In general Regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this Act shall be subject to judicial review to the extent authorized by, and in accordance with, chapter 7 (2) Responses Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall file a response to any petition filed in accordance with paragraph (1), not later than 30 days after the date the Secretary is served with that petition, except that the appropriate court may extend the period for filing such a response upon a showing by the Secretary of good cause for that extension. (3) Copies of administrative record A response of the Secretary under paragraph (2) shall include a copy of the administrative record for the regulations that are the subject of the petition. (4) Expedited hearings Upon a motion by the person who files a petition under this subsection, the appropriate court shall assign the matter for hearing at the earliest possible date. 6. Enforcement (a) In general The Secretary and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating— (1) shall administer and enforce this Act and any regulations issued under this Act, except to the extent otherwise provided for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (2) may request and utilize on a reimbursed or non-reimbursed basis the assistance, services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of other Federal departments and agencies in the administration and enforcement of this Act. (b) Secretarial actions Except as provided under subsection (c), the Secretary and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall prevent any person from violating this Act with respect to fishing activities or the conservation of fisheries resources in the Convention Area in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though sections 308 through 311 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1858 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 1858 (c) Jurisdiction of the courts (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under the provisions of this Act, and any such court may at any time— (A) enter restraining orders or prohibitions; (B) issue warrants, process in rem, or other process; (C) prescribe and accept satisfactory bonds or other security; and (D) take such other actions as are in the interest of justice. (2) Hawaii and Pacific insular areas In the case of Hawaii or any possession of the United States in the Pacific Ocean, the appropriate court is the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, except that— (A) in the case of Guam and Wake Island, the appropriate court is the United States District Court for the District of Guam; and (B) in the case of the Northern Mariana Islands, the appropriate court is the United States District Court for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands. (3) Construction Each violation shall be a separate offense and the offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any other district authorized by law. Any offense not committed in any district is subject to the venue provisions of section 3238 of title 18, United States Code. (d) Confidentiality (1) In general Any information submitted to the Secretary in compliance with any requirement under this Act shall be confidential and may not be disclosed, except— (A) to a Federal employee who is responsible for administering, implementing, or enforcing this Act; (B) to the Commission, in accordance with requirements in the North Pacific Fisheries Convention and decisions of the Commission, and, insofar as possible, in accordance with an agreement with the Commission that prevents public disclosure of the identity or business of any person; (C) to State, Council, or Marine Fisheries Commission employees pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary that prevents public disclosure of the identity or business of any person; (D) when required by court order; or (E) when the Secretary has obtained written authorization from the person submitting such information to release such information to another person for a reason not otherwise provided for in this paragraph, and such release does not violate other requirements of this Act. (2) Use of information (A) In general Except as provided under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall promulgate regulations regarding the procedures the Secretary considers necessary to preserve the confidentiality of information submitted under this Act. (B) Exception The Secretary may release or make public information submitted under this Act if the information is in any aggregate or summary form that does not directly or indirectly disclose the identity or business of any person. (3) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted or construed to prevent the use for conservation and management purposes by the Secretary of any information submitted under this Act. 7. Prohibited acts It is unlawful for any person— (1) to violate any provision of this Act or any regulation or permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) to use any fishing vessel to engage in fishing activities without, or after the revocation or during the period of suspension of, an applicable permit issued pursuant to this Act; (3) to refuse to permit any officer authorized to enforce the provisions of this Act to board a fishing vessel subject to such person’s control for the purposes of conducting any search, investigation, or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this Act or any regulation, permit, or the North Pacific Fisheries Convention; (4) to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any such authorized officer in the conduct of any search, investigation, or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this Act or any regulation, permit, or the North Pacific Fisheries Convention; (5) to resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited by this Act or any regulation promulgated or permit issued under this Act; (6) to knowingly and willfully ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, or have custody, control, or possession of, any fisheries resources taken or retained in violation of this Act or any regulation or permit referred to in paragraph (1) or (2); (7) to interfere with, delay, or prevent, by any means, the apprehension or arrest of another person, knowing that such other person has committed any act prohibited by this section; (8) to knowingly and willfully submit to the Secretary false information (including false information regarding the capacity and extent to which a United States fish processor, on an annual basis, will process a portion of the optimum yield of a fishery that will be harvested by fishing vessels of the United States), regarding any matter that the Secretary is considering in the course of carrying out this Act; (9) to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, sexually harass, bribe, or interfere with any observer on a vessel under this Act, or any data collector employed by or under contract to any person to carry out responsibilities under this Act; (10) to engage in fishing activities in violation of any regulation adopted pursuant to this Act; (11) to knowingly and willfully ship, transport, purchase, sell, offer for sale, import, export, or have in custody, possession, or control any fisheries resources taken or retained in violation of such regulations; (12) to fail to make, keep, or furnish any catch returns, statistical records, or other reports required by regulations adopted pursuant to this Act to be made, kept, or furnished; (13) to fail to stop a vessel upon being hailed and instructed to stop by a duly authorized official of the United States; (14) to import, in violation of any regulation adopted pursuant to this Act, any fisheries resources in any form of those species subject to regulation pursuant to a recommendation, resolution, or decision of the Commission, or any fisheries resources in any form not under regulation but under investigation by the Commission, during the period such fisheries resources have been denied entry in accordance with the provisions of this Act; (15) to make or submit any false record, account, or label for, or any false identification of, any fisheries resources which has been, or is intended to be imported, exported, transported, sold, offered for sale, purchased, or received in interstate or foreign commerce; or (16) to refuse to authorize and accept boarding by a duly authorized inspector pursuant to procedures adopted by the Commission for the boarding and inspection of fishing vessels in the Convention Area. 8. Cooperation in carrying out Convention (a) Federal and State agencies; private institutions and organizations The Secretary may cooperate with any Federal agency, any public or private institution or organization within the United States or abroad, and, through the Secretary of State, a duly authorized official of the government of any party to the North Pacific Fisheries Convention, in carrying out responsibilities under this Act. (b) Scientific and other programs; facilities and personnel Each Federal agency is authorized, upon the request of the Secretary, to cooperate in the conduct of scientific and other programs and to furnish facilities and personnel for the purpose of assisting the Commission in carrying out its duties under the North Pacific Fisheries Convention. (c) Sanctioned fishing operations and biological experiments Nothing in this Act, or in the laws of any State, prevents the Secretary or the Commission from— (1) conducting or authorizing the conduct of fishing operations and biological experiments at any time for purposes of scientific investigation; or (2) discharging any other duties prescribed by the North Pacific Fisheries Convention. (d) State jurisdiction not affected Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or to increase the jurisdiction of any State in the territorial sea of the United States. 9. Territorial participation The Secretary of State shall ensure participation in the Commission and its subsidiary bodies by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the same extent provided to the territories of other nations. 10. Exclusive economic zone notification Masters of commercial fishing vessels of countries fishing under the management authority of the North Pacific Fisheries Convention that do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with United States enforcement authorities shall, prior to or as soon as reasonably possible after, entering and transiting the exclusive economic zone bounded by the Convention Area— (1) notify the United States Coast Guard of the name, flag state, location, route, and destination of the vessel and of the circumstances under which it will enter United States waters; (2) ensure that all fishing gear on board the vessel is stowed below deck or otherwise removed from the place it is normally used for fishing activities and placed where it is not readily available for fishing activities; and (3) if requested by an enforcement officer, proceed to a specified location so that a vessel inspection can be conducted. 11. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary and the Secretary of State such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and to pay the United States contribution to the Commission under Article 12 of the North Pacific Fisheries Convention.

Summary: North Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to promulgate regulations to implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean for the United States, which was adopted in Tokyo, Japan, on February 24, 2012. (The Convention establishes a regional fisheries management organization to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fisheries resources while protecting the marine ecosystems in the Convention Area.) The United States has to be represented on the North Pacific Fisheries Commission by five commissioners that are selected in accordance with the requirements of the bill. Commerce must develop a memorandum of understanding with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to clarify the role of each Council with respect to participating in or working with U.S. delegations to international fishery organizations and making recommendations related to fishery resources in the Convention Area. The Department of State's authority and responsibilities with respect to the Commission is established. Any regulation promulgated by Commerce to implement a measure adopted by the Commission that would govern a straddling stock under the authority of a Council must be approved by the Council. A straddling stock is a stock of fisheries resources which migrates between, or occurs in, the economic exclusion zone of one or more parties to the Convention and the Convention Area. Commerce and the Department of Homeland Security have to administer and enforce the bill, except to the extent otherwise provided for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Certain fishing and shipping acts in the Convention Area are prohibited. Commercial fishing vessels must meet certain notification requirements before entering or transiting the exclusive economic zone of the Convention Area, if the vessels do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with U.S. enforcement authorities.