Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act

Bill: 114-hr-4576
Sponsor: Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
Introduced: 2016-02-12 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
American Samoa
Assault and harassment offenses
Biological and life sciences
Business records
Coast guard
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Commerce
Department of Homeland Security
Department of State
Federal district courts
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Guam
Hawaii
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Northern Mariana Islands
Pacific Ocean
Public-private cooperation
Trade restrictions
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-12
text: 

Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act

 
This bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promulgate regulations to implement U.S. participation in the North Pacific Fisheries Convention and South Pacific Fisheries Convention. These conventions are designed to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources and marine ecosystems in the North Pacific and South Pacific Ocean of the United States. 
The North Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Commission of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation were both established by the North and South Pacific fishery conventions, respectively. The United States must be represented by five commissioners on the North Pacific commission and not more than three on the South Pacific commission. In addition, permanent advisory committees are established to represent groups concerned with the fishery resources covered by each convention.
 
The Department of State has certain authority and responsibilities with respect to both commissions.
 
NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are required to administer and enforce this bill.
 
 This bill lists fishing and shipping activities that are prohibited in the North and South Pacific Ocean.
 
 The bill also amends the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act to include commercial fishing as practical experience the President should consider when selecting a commissioner for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The advisory committee is required to submit agenda recommendations at least 15 days prior to the annual Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting. The recommendations must be considered in formulating the U.S. position for meetings and negotiations. In addition, NOAA should conduct negotiations to secure agreements with other nations to ensure access and equal treatment of United States fishing boats in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean while taking conservation and management measures into consideration.

action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act

 
TITLE I--NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION
 
This bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promulgate regulations to implement U.S. participation in the North Pacific Fisheries Convention and South Pacific Fisheries Convention. These conventions are designed to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources and marine ecosystems in the North Pacific and South Pacific Ocean of the United States. 
(Sec.102) The United Statesmust be represented by five commissioners on the North Pacific Fisheries Commission. 
(Sec. 103)The Department of State has the authority to receive and transmit various communications concerning the North Pacific commission.
 
(Sec. 104)The bill details NOAA's authority in implementing this bill and measures adopted by the commission.
 
(Sec.105)NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are required to administer and enforce this bill.
 
(Sec. 106)This bill lists 15 fishing and shipping activities that are prohibited in the North Pacific Ocean.
 
(Sec.107)NOAA may cooperate with public and private institutions in the United Statesand abroad to carry out this bill. Federal agencies are authorized to cooperate with NOAA in conducting research and providing facilities and personnel to assist the commission.
 
(Sec.108)The State Department must ensure that American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands participate with the commission in the same manner as territories of other nations.
 
(Sec.109)Operators of commercial fishing vessels that do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with U.S. enforcement authorities must ensure that all fishing gear is stowed below deck and not readily available for fishing.
 
TITLE II--IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGH SEAS FISHERY RESOURCES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
 
(Sec.202)The United Statesmust be represented by no more than three commissioners on the Commission of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization. 
 
(Sec.203)The State Department has the authority to receive and transmit various communications concerning the South Pacific commission, and can approve or disapprove bylaws and rules adopted by the commission.
 
(Sec.204)This bill details NOAA's authority in implementing this bill and measures adopted by the commission.
 
(Sec.205)NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are required to administer and enforce this bill.
 
(Sec.206)This bill lists 14 fishing and shipping activities that are prohibited in the South Pacific Ocean.
 
(Sec.207)NOAA may cooperate with public and private institutions in the United Statesand abroad to carry out this bill. Federal agencies are authorized to cooperate with NOAA in conducting research and providing facilities and personnel to assist the commission.
 
(Sec.208)The State Department must ensure that American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands participate with the commission in the same manner as territories of other nations.
 
(Sec.209)Operators of commercial fishing vessels that do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with U.S. enforcement authorities must ensure that all fishing gear is stowed below deck and not readily available for fishing. 
 
TITLE III--WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC FISHERIES COMMISSION
 
(Sec.301)The bill also amends the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act to include commercial fishing as practical experience the President must consider when selecting a commissioner for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The advisory committee is required to submit agenda recommendations at least 30 days prior to the annual Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting. The recommendations must be considered in formulating the U.S. position for meetings and negotiations. In addition, NOAA must conduct negotiations to secure agreements with other nations to ensure access and equal treatment of United States fishing boats in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean while taking conservation and management measures into consideration.
 
TITLE IV--ILLEGAL, UNREGULATED, AND UNREPORTED FISHING
 
(Sec.401)The bill amends the High Seas Drifnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to direct NOAA to submit a biennial report on international compliance with fishery agreements to Congress by June 1 of the submission year.
 
TITLE V--NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES CONVENTION AMENDMENTS ACT
 

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Amendments Act

 
(Sec.509)The bill amends the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 to repeal the provisions requiring NOAA to establish and report a new fishing quota allocation practice in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.
 
 
 
 

action_date: 2016-09-12
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 6, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act

 
TITLE I--NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION
 
This bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promulgate regulations to implement U.S. participation in the North Pacific Fisheries Convention and South Pacific Fisheries Convention. These conventions are designed to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources and marine ecosystems in the North Pacific and South Pacific Ocean of the United States. 
 
(Sec. 102) The United Statesmust be represented by five commissioners on the North Pacific Fisheries Commission. 
 
(Sec. 103)The Department of State has the authority to receive and transmit various communications concerning the North Pacific commission.
 
(Sec. 104)The bill details NOAA's authority in implementing this bill and measures adopted by the commission.
 
(Sec.105)NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are required to administer and enforce this bill.
 
(Sec. 106)This bill lists 15 fishing and shipping activities that are prohibited in the North Pacific Ocean.
 
(Sec. 107)NOAA may cooperate with public and private institutions in the United Statesand abroad to carry out this bill. Federal agencies are authorized to cooperate with NOAA in conducting research and providing facilities and personnel to assist the commission.
 
(Sec.108)The State Department must ensure that American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands participate with the commission in the same manner as territories of other nations.
 
(Sec. 109)Operators of commercial fishing vessels that do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with U.S. enforcement authorities must ensure that all fishing gear is stowed below deck and not readily available for fishing.
 
TITLE II--IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGH SEAS FISHERY RESOURCES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
 
(Sec.202)The United States must be represented by no more than three commissioners on the Commission of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization. 
 
(Sec.203)The State Department has the authority to receive and transmit various communications concerning the South Pacific commission, and can approve or disapprove bylaws and rules adopted by the commission.
 
(Sec.204)This bill details NOAA's authority in implementing this bill and measures adopted by the commission.
 
(Sec.205)NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are required to administer and enforce this bill.
 
(Sec.206)This bill lists 14 fishing and shipping activities that are prohibited in the South Pacific Ocean.
 
(Sec. 207)NOAA may cooperate with public and private institutions in the United Statesand abroad to carry out this bill. Federal agencies are authorized to cooperate with NOAA in conducting research and providing facilities and personnel to assist the commission.
 
(Sec.208)The State Department must ensure that American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands participate with the commission in the same manner as territories of other nations.
 
(Sec. 209)Operators of commercial fishing vessels that do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with U.S. enforcement authorities must ensure that all fishing gear is stowed below deck and not readily available for fishing.
 
TITLE III--WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC FISHERIES COMMISSION
 
(Sec. 301)The bill also amends the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act to include commercial fishing as practical experience the President must consider when selecting a commissioner for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The advisory committee is required to submit agenda recommendations at least 30 days prior to the annual Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting. The recommendations must be considered in formulating the U.S. position for meetings and negotiations. In addition, NOAA must conduct negotiations to secure agreements with other nations to ensure access and equal treatment of United States fishing boats in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean while taking conservation and management measures into consideration.
 
TITLE IV--ILLEGAL, UNREGULATED, AND UNREPORTED FISHING
 
(Sec. 401)The bill amends the High Seas Drifnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to direct NOAA to submit a biennial report on international compliance with fishery agreements to Congress by June 1 of the submission year.
 
TITLE V--NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES CONVENTION AMENDMENTS ACT
 

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Amendments Act

 
(Sec. 509)The bill amends the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 to repeal the provisions requiring NOAA to establish and report a new fishing quota allocation practice in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5280-5285)
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5280-5285)
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4576.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5280-5286)
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Mrs. Radewagen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-718.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-718.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-07-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-07-12
text: Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Discharged.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2016-02-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2016-02-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-02-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-12
text: Introduced in House