[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70332-70333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31134]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice No. 4527]


Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs; Request for Nominations for the Scientific Advisory 
Subcommittee of the General Advisory Committee to the United States 
Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking applications and 
nominations for the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee of the General 
Advisory Committee to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
(IATTC). The purpose of the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee is to 
provide public input and advice to the United States Section to the 
IATTC in the formulation of U.S. policy and positions at meetings of 
the IATTC and its subsidiary bodies. The Scientific Advisory 
Subcommittee shall also function as the National Scientific Advisory 
Committee (NATSAC) provided for in the Agreement on the International 
Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP). The United States Section to the 
IATTC is composed of the U.S. Commissioners to the IATTC, appointed by 
the President, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans 
and Fisheries or his or her designated representative. Authority to 
establish the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee is provided by the Tuna 
Conventions Act of 1950, as amended by the International Dolphin 
Conservation Program Act (IDCPA) of 1997.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted on or before February 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted to David Balton, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, Bureau of Oceans and 
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Room 7831, 
Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-7818; or by fax to 202-736-
7350.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hogan, Office of Marine 
Conservation, Department of State: 202-647-2335.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Scientific Advisory Subcommittee

    The Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 953, Section 4) provides that 
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the U.S. Commissioners to 
the IATTC, shall appoint a Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (the 
Subcommittee) of the General Advisory Committee. The Subcommittee is 
composed of not fewer than 5 and not more than 15 qualified scientists 
with balanced representation from the public and private sectors, 
including non-governmental conservation organizations. The Subcommittee 
advises the Committee and the U.S. Section on matters including: the 
conservation of ecosystems; the sustainable uses of living marine 
resources related to the tuna fishery in the eastern tropical Pacific 
Ocean; and the long-term conservation and management of stocks of 
living marine resources in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
    In addition, at the request of the Committee, the U.S. 
Commissioners, or the Secretary of State, the Subcommittee performs 
such functions and provides such assistance as may be required by 
formal agreements entered into by the United States for the eastern 
Pacific tuna fishery, including the AIDCP. The functions may include: 
the review of data from the International Dolphin Conservation Program 
(IDCP), including data received from the IATTC staff; recommendations 
on research needs and the coordination and facilitation of such 
research; recommendations on scientific reviews and assessments 
required under the IDCP; recommendations with respect to measures to 
assure the regular and timely full exchange of data among the Parties 
to the AIDCP and each nation's NATSAC (or its equivalent); and 
consulting with other experts as needed. The Subcommittee is invited to 
have representatives attend all non-executive meetings of the U.S. 
Section and the General Advisory Committee and is given full 
opportunity to examine and to be heard on all proposed programs of 
scientific investigation, scientific reports, and scientific 
recommendations of the Commission. Representatives of the Subcommittee 
may attend meetings of the IATTC and the AIDCP as members of the U.S. 
delegation or otherwise in accordance with the rules of those bodies 
governing such participation. Participation as a member of the U.S. 
delegation is subject to such limits as may be placed on the size of 
the delegation.

National Scientific Advisory Committee

    The Subcommittee also functions as the NATSAC established pursuant 
to Article XI of the AIDCP. In this regard, the Subcommittee performs 
the functions of the NATSAC as specified in Annex VI of the AIDCP 
including, but not limited to: receiving and reviewing relevant data, 
including data provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
by the IATTC Staff; advising and recommending to the U.S. Government 
measures and actions that should be undertaken to conserve and

[[Page 70333]]

manage stocks of living marine resources in the AIDCP Area; making 
recommendations to the U.S. Government regarding research needs related 
to the eastern Pacific Ocean tuna purse seine fishery; promoting the 
regular and timely full exchange of data among the Parties on a variety 
of matters related to the implementation of the AIDCP; and consulting 
with other experts as necessary in order to achieve the objectives of 
the Agreement.

General Provisions

    Each appointed member of the Committee and the Subcommittee/NATSAC 
is appointed for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed. Logistical 
and administrative support for the operation of the Subcommittee will 
be provided by the Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and 
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and by the 
Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service. Members 
receive no compensation for their service on the Subcommittee/NATSAC, 
nor will members be compensated for travel or other expenses associated 
with their participation.

Procedures for Submitting Applications/Nominations

    Applications/nominations for the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee/
NATSAC should be submitted to the Department of State (See ADDRESSES). 
Such applications/nominations should include the following information:
    (1) Full name/address/phone/fax and e-mail of applicant/nominee;
    (2) Applicant/nominee's organization or professional affiliation 
serving as the basis for the application/nomination;
    (3) Background statement describing the applicant/nominee's 
qualifications and experience, especially as related to the tuna purse 
seine fishery in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean or other factors 
relevant to the implementation of the Convention establishing the IATTC 
or the AIDCP;
    (4) A written statement from the applicant/nominee of intent to 
participate actively and in good faith in the meetings and activities 
of the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee/NATSAC. Applicants/nominees who 
submitted material in response to the Federal Register notices 
published by the U.S. Department of State on November 12, 2002 and 
February 5, 2003 need not resubmit their applications pursuant to this 
notice.

    Dated: December 1, 2003.
David A. Balton,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 03-31134 Filed 12-16-03; 8:45 am]
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