Overview
Title
Nominations for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is looking for people to help give advice about fishing in the Pacific Ocean. These helpers won't get paid, but they will have their travel costs covered.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking nominations for its Permanent Advisory Committee. This committee is involved with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which focuses on managing fish stocks in the Pacific Ocean. The advisory committee will have 15-20 members from various groups concerned with these fisheries and will provide input to U.S. Commissioners. Nominations are open until February 18, 2021, and members will serve a two-year term starting August 3, 2021, without pay but will receive travel expenses.
Abstract
NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, is seeking nominations for the advisory committee established under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (Act). The Permanent Advisory Committee, composed of individuals from groups concerned with the fisheries covered by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention (Convention), will be given the opportunity to provide input to the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Commission) regarding the deliberations and decisions of the Commission.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), requests nominations for a Permanent Advisory Committee. This committee is pivotal in providing guidance and input to U.S. Commissioners involved with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The core mission of this Commission is to manage and ensure the sustainable use of fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The nominations must be submitted by February 18, 2021, with members serving a two-year term starting August 3, 2021.
General Summary
The advisory committee comprises 15-20 members drawn from diverse groups concerned with fisheries under the jurisdiction of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention. These members will not receive a salary but are entitled to travel expenses when attending meetings. The committee will have the duty to attend non-executive meetings with U.S. Commissioners and provide feedback on proposed regulatory changes and other matters concerning fisheries management and international agreements.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the main issues is the lack of clarity in language regarding travel expenses for committee members. The document mentions a comparison with expenses for intermittently employed governmental personnel, but this reference remains vague without a clear explanation of what that entails. This ambiguity could lead to confusion and possibly mishandling of such expenses.
Furthermore, allowing for self-nominations and nominations of current members could risk conflicts of interest, potentially undermining the impartiality and diversity of the committee. The document also talks about achieving an "equitable balance" among groups concerned with the fisheries, but it fails to define how this balance is determined, leading to ambiguity and potential biases in member selection.
Finally, the document does not elaborate on how the Permanent Advisory Committee’s input will actually influence the U.S. Commissioners' decisions. There is a lack of transparency about the weight or impact of committee recommendations, which could question the effectiveness and significance of the committee's work.
Potential Impact on the Public
The establishment of the Permanent Advisory Committee has the potential to broadly impact fisheries management, a sector closely intertwined with environmental health and economic sustainability. Sound conservation practices, influenced by diverse and experienced committee input, can lead to healthier oceanic ecosystems, benefiting general public interests such as biodiversity and climate regulation.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For those directly involved in the fisheries sector, including commercial and recreational fishers, the decisions influenced by the advisory committee are pivotal. Effective management can ensure long-term viability and profitability for the industry, supporting livelihoods and economies dependent on marine resources. However, without clear criteria and assurance of unbiased representation, some groups may feel marginalized or underrepresented in the decision-making process.
Additionally, the issue of travel expense management could affect public trust. If not regulated and transparent, it may lead to perceptions of government waste, affecting taxpayers who fund these expenses.
In conclusion, while the advisory committee holds promise in contributing significantly to sustainable fisheries management, clarity, transparency, and equitable representation procedures will be essential to mitigate potential issues and maximize positive outcomes for both the ecosystem and involved stakeholders.
Issues
• The document mentions that appointed members of the Permanent Advisory Committee will serve without pay but will be allowed travel expenses. This could potentially lead to wasteful spending if not properly regulated and monitored.
• The language used in the section regarding travel expenses may be confusing, as it compares the process to that of persons employed intermittently in the Government service without specifying what exactly it entails, which could benefit from further clarity.
• The document allows for self-nominations and nominations of current members, which could potentially lead to conflicts of interest if not managed carefully.
• The document does not specify criteria for what constitutes an 'equitable balance' among the groups concerned with fisheries in the advisory committee, which could result in ambiguity and possible biases in the selection process.
• The document does not provide detailed information on how the Permanent Advisory Committee's input will influence the U.S. Commissioners’ decisions, which could lead to concerns about the real impact of their service.