H. R. 1651
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
An Act
To amend the Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967 to extend the period during
which reimbursement may be provided to owners of United States fishing vessels
for costs incurred when such a vessel is seized and detained by a foreign country,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I—EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR
REIMBURSEMENT 
UNDER 
FISHER-
MEN’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 FISH-
ERMEN’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 negotia-
tion 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 res-
toration and enhancement of such salmon stocks; and
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(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 agree-
ment 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 mem-
bers, 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 manage-
ment, who shall be appointed by the Governor of Alaska.
(C) Four members who are knowledgeable and experi-
enced 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 organiza-
tions with expertise in Yukon River salmon fisheries.
(C) The Governor of Alaska may make appropriate nomina-
tions 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 Sec-
retary 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 mem-
bers 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.
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(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 mem-
bers 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 recommenda-
tions made by the Panel to the responsible management entities
in accordance with any agreement with Canada regarding manage-
ment 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. Rec-
ommendations by the Panel shall be advisory in nature.
SEC. 206. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
(a) COMPENSATION.—Panel members and alternate Panel mem-
bers who are not State or Federal employees shall receive compensa-
tion 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
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Interior for all Panel members, alternate Panel members, and mem-
bers 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 estab-
lished 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 ENHANCE-
MENT 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 agree-
ment between the Government of the United States and the Govern-
ment 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 accord-
ance with that agreement; and
(2) amounts available for projects under this section—
(A) shall be expended in accordance with the agree-
ment; 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 Govern-
ment 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 Depart-
ment 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
H. R. 1651—5
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 coopera-
tive 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 author-
ized 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
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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.