U.S. Advisory Panel to the U.S. Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (Notice of Renewal)

The Department of State has renewed the Charter of the U.S. Advisory Panel to the U.S. Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) for another two years, effective September 1, 2000.

The NPAFC is a venue for consultation and coordination of cooperative high seas fishery enforcement among Convention parties.

The NPAFC was established by the Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean, signed on February 12, 1992, by Canada, Japan, the Russian Federation, and the United States, and entered into force on February 16, 1993. The U.S. Advisory Panel will continue to work with the U.S. Section to promote the conservation of anadromous fish stocks, particularly salmon, throughout their migratory range in the North Pacific Ocean, as well as ecologically related species.

The U.S. Section of the Commission is composed of three Commissioners who are appointed by the President. Each Commissioner is appointed for a term not to exceed four years, but is eligible for reappointment. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, may designate alternate commissioners. The Advisory Panel to the U.S. Section is composed of 14 members appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, who serve for a term not to exceed four years, and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

The Advisory Panel will continue to follow the procedures prescribed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Meetings will continue to be open to the public unless a determination is made in accordance with Section 10 of the FACA, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 552b(c)(1) and (4), that a meeting or a portion of the meeting should be closed to the public. Notice of each meeting will continue to be provided for publication in the Federal Register as far in advance as possible prior to the meeting.

For further information on the renewal of the Advisory Panel, please contact Sally Cochran, International Relations Office, Office of Marine Conservation in the Department of State, (202) 647-2335.