Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 2.djvu/58

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Ill STAT. 1138 PUBLIC LAW 105-42—AUG. 15, 1997 "(i) the conservation of ecosystems; "(ii) the sustainable uses of living marine resources related to the tuna fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean; and "(iii) the long-term conservation and management of stocks of living marine resources in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. "(B) OTHER FUNCTIONS AND ASSISTANCE.—The Scientific Advisory Subcommittee shall, as requested by the General Advisory Committee, the United States Commissioners, or the Secretary, perform functions and provide assistance required by formal agreements entered into by the United States for this fishery, including the International Dolphin Conservation Program. These functions may include— "(i) the review of data from the Program, including data received from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission; "(ii) recommendations on research needs, including ecosystems, fishing practices, and gear technology research, including the development and use of selective, environmentally safe and cost-effective fishing gear, and on the coordination and facilitation of such research; "(iii) recommendations concerning scientific reviews and assessments required under the Program and engaging, as appropriate, in such reviews and assessments; "(iv) consulting with other experts as needed; and "(v) recommending measures to assure the regular and timely full exchange of data among the parties to the Program and each nation's National Scientific Advisory Committee (or its equivalent). "(3) ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS. —The Scientific Advisory Subcommittee shall be invited to have representatives attend all nonexecutive meetings of the United States sections and the General Advisory Subcommittee and shall be 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 Scientific Advisory Subcommittee may attend meetings of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in accordance with the rules of such Commission.". (c) BYCATCH REDUCTION. —The Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: 16 USC 962. "SEC. 15. REDUCTION OF BYCATCH IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN. "The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and acting through the United States Commissioners, shall seek, in cooperation with other nations whose vessel fish for tuna in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, to establish standards and measures for a bycatch reduction program for vessels fishing for yellowfin tuna in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The bycatch reduction program shall include measures—