§ 5601. Representation of United States under Convention

• (a)
  • (1) 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)
    • (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)
    • (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)
  • (1) The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Commissioner, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Commissioner.
  • (2) An Alternate Commissioner may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Commissioner for whom the Alternate Commissioner is designated.
• (c)
  • (1) 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)
    • (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) 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)
  • (1) The Secretary may, for any anticipated absence of a duly appointed Representative, designate an individual to serve as an Alternate Representative.
  • (2) An Alternate Representative may exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Representative for whom the Alternate Representative is designated.
• (e) The Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives may be accompanied at meetings of the Organization by experts and advisers.
• (f)
  • (1) In carrying out their functions under the Convention, Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, Representatives, and Alternate Representatives shall—
    • (A) coordinate with the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils established by section 1852 of this title ; and
    • (B) consult with the committee established under section 5607 of this title .
  • (2) Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to coordination and consultations under this subsection.