South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act

Bill: 113-s-2484
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Coast guard
Department of Commerce
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Northern Mariana Islands
Oceania
Pacific Ocean

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act - Authorizes the Department of Commerce to promulgate regulations to implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean, which was adopted at Auckland, New Zealand, on November 14, 2009. (The Convention includes the objectives of ensuring the long term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources and safeguarding the marine ecosystems in the Convention Area.) Applies this Act within the boundaries of any state bordering on the Convention Area if specified conditions are met.
 
 Requires the President to appoint the U.S. representative to the South Pacific Fisheries Commission. Establishes an advisory committee for the Commission.
 
 Requires Commerce to develop a memorandum of understanding with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council to clarify the role of the 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. 
 
 Sets forth the Department of State's authority and responsibilities with respect to the Commission.
 
 Requires Commerce and the Department of Homeland Security (the department in which the Coast Guard is operating) to administer and enforce this Act, except to the extent otherwise provided for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 
 
Sets forth prohibited fishing and shipping acts in the Convention Area.
 
 Establishes notification requirements commercial fishing vessels 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.

action_date: 2014-12-08
text: 
South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act - Authorizes Department of Commerce to promulgate regulations to implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean, which was adopted at Auckland, New Zealand, on November 14, 2009. (The Convention includes the objectives of ensuring the long term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources and safeguarding the marine ecosystems in the Convention Area.) 
 
 (Sec. 3) Limits U.S. representation on the South Pacific Fisheries Commission to no more than three commissioners. Requires the President to appoint the representative to the Commission. Establishes an advisory committee for the Commission.
 
 Requires Commerce to develop a memorandum of understanding with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council to clarify the role of the 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. 
 
 (Sec. 4) Sets forth Department of State's authority and responsibilities with respect to the Commission, including authorizing the State Department to approve, disapprove, object to, or withdraw objections to bylaws and rules adopted by the Commission.
 
(Sec. 5) Authorizes Commerce to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the U.S. international obligations under the South Pacific Fisheries Convention and this Act.
 
 Requires Commerce and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to administer and enforce this Act, except to the extent otherwise provided for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 
 
Gives the district courts of the United States exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under this Act.
 
 (Sec. 7) Sets forth prohibited fishing and shipping acts in the Convention Area. 
(Sec. 9) Requires Commerce to ensure participation in the Commission and its subsidiary bodies by the by American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the same extent provided to the territories of other nations.
 
 (Sec. 10) Establishes notification requirements commercial fishing vessels 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.
 
(Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations to Commerce and the State Department to carry out this Act and to pay for the United State's contribution to the Commission.
 
Requires Commerce or the State Department to provide appropriate assistance to assist developing nations in meeting their obligations under the Convention.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-12-12
text: By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 113-315.
action_date: 2014-12-12
text: By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 113-315.
action_date: 2014-12-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 622.
action_date: 2014-12-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-12-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-09-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate