US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 5601

Representation of United States under Convention

(a)

Commissioners

(1)

Appointments, generally

The Secretary shall appoint not more than 3 individuals to serve as the representatives of the United States on the Commission, who shall each—
(A)
be known as a “United States Commissioner to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization”; and
(B)
serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(2)

Requirements for appointments

(A)
The Secretary shall ensure that of the individuals serving as Commissioners—
(i)
at least 1 is appointed from among representatives of the commercial fishing industry;
(ii)
1 (but no more than 1) is an official of the Government; and
(iii)
1, other than the individual appointed under clause (ii), is a voting member of the New England Fishery Management Council.
(B)
The Secretary may not appoint as a Commissioner an individual unless the individual is knowledgeable and experienced concerning the fishery resources to which the Convention applies.
(3)

Terms

(A)
The term of an individual appointed as a Commissioner—
(i)
shall be specified by the Secretary at the time of appointment; and
(ii)
may not exceed 4 years.
(B)
An individual who is not a Government official may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms as a Commissioner.
(b)

Alternate Commissioners

(1)

Appointment

The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Commissioner, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Commissioner.

(2)

Functions

An Alternate Commissioner may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Commissioner for whom the Alternate Commissioner is designated.

(c)

Representatives

(1)

Appointment

The Secretary shall appoint not more than 3 individuals to serve as the representatives of the United States on the Scientific Council, who shall each be known as a “United States Representative to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Scientific Council”.

(2)

Eligibility for appointment

(A)
The Secretary may not appoint an individual as a Representative unless the individual is knowledgeable and experienced concerning the scientific issues dealt with by the Scientific Council.
(B)
The Secretary shall appoint as a Representative at least 1 individual who is an official of the Government.
(3)

Term

An individual appointed as a Representative—
(A)
shall serve for a term of not to exceed 4 years, as specified by the Secretary at the time of appointment;
(B)
may be reappointed; and
(C)
shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
(d)

Alternate Representatives

(1)

Appointment

The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Representative, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Representative.

(2)

Functions

An Alternate Representative may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Representative for whom the Alternate Representative is designated.

(e)

Experts and advisers

The Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives may be accompanied at meetings of the Organization by experts and advisers.

(f)

Coordination and consultation

(1)

In general

In carrying out their functions under the Convention, Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives shall—
(A)
section 1852 of this title coordinate with the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils established by ; and
(B)
section 5607 of this title consult with the committee established under .
(2)

Relationship to other law

Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to coordination and consultations under this subsection.

Pub. L. 104–43, title II, § 202109 Stat. 377Pub. L. 114–327, title V, § 502130 Stat. 1995Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(124)136 Stat. 4319(, , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–2862022—Subsec. (f)(2). substituted “Chapter 10 of title 5” for “The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)”.

Pub. L. 114–327, § 502(1)2016—Subsec. (a)(1). , in introductory provisions, struck out “General Council and the Fisheries” before “Commission”.

Pub. L. 114–327, § 502(2)Subsec. (b)(1). , struck out “at a meeting of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission” after “appointed Commissioner”.

Pub. L. 114–327, § 502(3)Subsec. (b)(2). , struck out “, at any meeting of the General Council or the Fisheries Commission for which the Alternate Commissioner is designated” before period at end.

Pub. L. 114–327, § 502(4)Subsec. (d)(1). , struck out “at a meeting of the Scientific Council” after “appointed Representative”.

Pub. L. 114–327, § 502(5)Subsec. (d)(2). , struck out “, at any meeting of the Scientific Council for which the Alternate Representative is designated” before period at end.

Pub. L. 114–327, § 502(6)section 1852 of this titleSubsec. (f)(1)(A). , made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2016 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–327, title V, § 501(a)130 Stat. 1995

section 5612 of this title“This title [amending this section and sections 5602 to 5604, 5606, 5607, 5609, and 5610 of this title and repealing ] may be cited as the ‘Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Amendments Act’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title

Pub. L. 104–43, title II, § 201109 Stat. 377

“This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995’.”
, , , provided that: