§ 7704 — Authority Of The Secretary Of Commerce

(1) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect to enforcement measures, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States international obligations under the North Pacific Fisheries Convention and this chapter, including recommendations and decisions adopted by the Commission. (2) In the implementation of a measure adopted by the Commission that would govern a straddling stock under the authority of a Council, any regulation promulgated by the Secretary to implement such measure within the exclusive economic zone shall be approved by such Council. (b) Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall be applicable only to a person or a fishing vessel that is or has engaged in fishing activities, or fisheries resources covered by the North Pacific Fisheries Convention under this chapter. (c) The Secretary may conduct, and may request and utilize on a reimbursed or nonreimbursed basis the assistance, services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of other Federal departments and agencies in— (1) scientific, research, and other programs under this chapter; (2) fishing operations and biological experiments for purposes of scientific investigation or other purposes necessary to implement the North Pacific Fisheries Convention; (3) the collection, utilization, and disclosure of such information as may be necessary to implement the North Pacific Fisheries Convention, subject to sections 552 and 552a of title 5 and section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1881a(b)); (4) the issuance of permits to owners and operators of United States vessels to engage in fishing activities in the Convention Area seaward of the exclusive economic zone of the United States, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, including the period of time that a permit is valid; and (5) if recommended by the United States Commissioners, the assessment and collection of fees, not to exceed 3 percent of the ex-vessel value of fisheries resources harvested by vessels of the United States in fisheries conducted in the Convention Area, to recover the actual costs to the United States to carry out the functions of the Secretary under this chapter. (d) The Secretary shall ensure the consistency, to the extent practicable, of fishery management programs administered under this chapter, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973 et seq.), section 401 of Public Law 108–219 (16 U.S.C. 1821 note) (relating to Pacific albacore tuna), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–567) and the amendments made by that Act, and Public Law 100–629 (102 Stat. 3286). (1) Regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this chapter shall be subject to judicial review to the extent authorized by, and in accordance with, chapter 7 of title 5 if a petition for such review is filed not later than 30 days after the date on which the regulations are promulgated. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall file a response to any petition filed in accordance with paragraph (1), not later than 30 days after the date the Secretary is served with that petition, except that the appropriate court may extend the period for filing such a response upon a showing by the Secretary of good cause for that extension. (3) A response of the Secretary under paragraph (2) shall include a copy of the administrative record for the regulations that are the subject of the petition. (4) Upon a motion by the person who files a petition under this subsection, the appropriate court shall assign the matter for hearing at the earliest possible date.