[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50267-50268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20440]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE116


International Pacific Halibut Commission Appointments

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of call for nominations.

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SUMMARY: In May 2015, NOAA Fisheries publicly solicited nominations for 
two presidential appointments to serve as U.S. Commissioners to the 
IPHC. This multi-step nomination process is intended to provide 
extensive participation by stakeholders in the Pacific halibut fishery 
and result in the appointment of two highly qualified individuals to 
represent the U.S. Government in this important international fisheries 
management organization. The most recent IPHC public nomination process 
yielded two names for the two expiring seats, both re-nominations. U.S. 
Commissioners to the IPHC are appointed for a term not to exceed 2 
years, but are eligible for reappointment. While this recent 
solicitation of nominations resulted in two strong candidates, NOAA 
Fisheries is seeking a greater number of nominations from which to 
propose two candidates for appointment by the President. Additionally, 
the lack of a larger candidate pool impacts the ability of recommending 
officials to propose Alternate Commissioners. The Secretary of State, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, may designate 
Alternative U.S. Commissioners to serve in the absence of duly 
appointed U.S. Commissioners. Nominations for IPHC U.S. Commissioner 
and letters of public support that have already been submitted in 
response to the original solicitation notice do not need to be 
resubmitted. Nominations are open to all qualified individuals and may 
include current Commissioners.

DATES: Nominations must be received by September 18, 2015. A list of 
nominees will be published on the NMFS Alaska Regional Office Web site 
(http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/) on September 23, 2015. Public 
comments relating to this list of nominees will be accepted until 
October 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for U.S. Commissioners to the IPHC may be made 
in writing to Mr. Patrick E. Moran, Office of International Affairs and 
Seafood Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service, at 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Nominations may also be sent via 
fax (301-713-2313) or email ([email protected]). Please send 
all public comments via email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Patrick E. Moran, (301) 427-8370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The IPHC is a bilateral regional fishery management organization 
established pursuant to the Convention between Canada and the United 
States for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific 
Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention). The Convention was signed at Ottawa, 
Ontario, on March 2, 1953, and was amended by a Protocol Amending the 
Convention signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979. The 
Convention's central objective is to develop the stocks of Pacific 
halibut in waters off the west coasts of Canada and the United States

[[Page 50268]]

to levels that will permit the optimum yield from the Pacific halibut 
fishery and to maintain the stocks at those levels. The IPHC fulfills 
this objective in part by recommending Pacific halibut fishery 
conservation and management measures for approval by the United States 
and Canada. Pursuant to the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, the 
Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, 
may accept or reject, on behalf of the United States, conservation and 
management measures recommended by the IPHC. 16 U.S.C. 773b. Measures 
accepted by the Secretary of State are adopted as binding regulations 
governing fishing for Pacific halibut in Convention waters of the 
United States. 16 U.S.C. 773c(b)(1). More information on the IPHC can 
be found at http://www.iphc.int.
    Section 773a of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 
773a) requires that the United States be represented on the IPHC by 
three U.S. Commissioners. U.S. Commissioners are appointed for a term 
not to exceed 2 years, but are eligible for reappointment. Of the 
Commissioners:
    (1) One must be an official of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration; and
    (2) Two must be knowledgeable or experienced concerning the 
Northern Pacific halibut fishery; of these, one must be a resident of 
Alaska and the other shall be a nonresident of Alaska. Of the three 
commissioners described in paragraphs (1) and (2), one must also be a 
voting member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
    (3) Commissioners who are not Federal employees are not considered 
to be Federal employees except for the purposes of injury compensation 
or tort claims liability as provided in section 8101 et seq. of title 5 
and section 2671 et seq. of title 28.
    In their official IPHC duties, Commissioners represent the 
interests of the United States and all of its stakeholders in the 
Pacific halibut fishery. These duties require a modest amount of travel 
(typically two or three trips per year lasting less than a week), and 
travel expenses are paid by the U.S. Department of State. Commissioners 
receive no compensation for their services.

Nomination Process

    NOAA Fisheries is currently accepting nominations for two U.S. 
Commissioners for the IPHC who are not officials of NOAA. Successful 
nominees will be considered for appointment by the President and 
(pending Presidential action) interim designation by the Department of 
State.
    Nomination packages should provide details of an individual's 
knowledge and experience in the Pacific halibut fishery. Examples of 
such knowledge and/or experience could include (but are not limited to) 
such activities as: Participation in commercial, tribal, Community 
Development Quota (CDQ) and/or sport and charterboat halibut fishing 
operations; participation in halibut processing operations; and 
participation in Pacific halibut management activities.
    Nomination packages should document an individual's qualifications 
and state of residence. Self-nominations are acceptable, and current 
and former IPHC Commissioners are eligible for reappointment. 
R[eacute]sum[eacute]s, curriculum vitae, and/or letters of 
recommendation are useful but not required. Nomination packages will be 
evaluated on a case-by-case basis by officials in NOAA and the 
Department of Commerce who are familiar with the duties and 
responsibilities of IPHC Commissioners; evaluations will consider the 
aggregate of an individual's prior experience and knowledge of the 
Pacific halibut fishery, residency requirements, and any letters of 
recommendation provided. Nominees will be notified of their status 
(including rejection or approval) and any need for further information 
once the nomination process is complete.

    Dated: August 13, 2015.
John Henderschedt,
Director, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20440 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P