Tribal representation on North Pacific Fishery Management Council

(a) In general Section 302 (16 U.S.C. 1852) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)(G)— (A) by striking seward and inserting seaward; (B) by striking 11 and inserting 13; and (C) by inserting before the period at the end and 2 appointed by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (b)(6); (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking paragraphs (2) and (5) and inserting paragraphs (2), (5), and (6); (B) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); (C) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: (6) (A) The Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C), shall appoint to the North Pacific Council 2 individuals to serve as representatives of covered Indian tribes from a list submitted by the tribal governments. (B) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, tribal governments, and the Alaska Federation of Natives, shall establish by regulation the procedure for submitting a list under subparagraph (A). (C) An individual is qualified for appointment to the North Pacific Council under subparagraph (A) if such individual— (i) possesses knowledge of— (I) the anadromous fish of the North Pacific Council region; (II) the marine resources managed by such Council; (III) the effects of the actions of such Council on such resources; (IV) the subsistence uses, customs, and traditions relating to such resources; and (V) commercial and sport uses of the fish described in subclause (I) and such resources; or (ii) demonstrates leadership through involvement in local, regional, or tribal fish and wildlife management or conservation organizations. (D) Representation shall be rotated among affected tribal regions, taking into consideration— (i) the qualifications of the individuals on the list submitted under subparagraph (A); (ii) the degree to which the Indian tribes located within the North Pacific Council region are dependent on anadromous fish and marine resources within such region and the effects of the actions of such Council on such resources; and (iii) the geographic area within which the tribe of the representative is located. (E) An individual appointed under subparagraph (A) may designate as an alternate an individual knowledgeable with respect to tribal rights and fishing practicies, Indigenous traditional knowledge, tribal law, and the marine resources managed by the North Pacific Council. (F) An individual appointed under subparagraph (A) shall serve on the North Pacific Council until such time as a new appointment to the tribal seat is made under that subparagraph. (G) In this paragraph, the term covered Indian tribe means an Indian tribe in Alaska that is identified (including parenthetically) on the most current list published by the Secretary under section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).; and (D) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by striking paragraphs (2) or (5) and inserting paragraph (2), (5), or (6); and (3) in subsection (j)(1)(A)(ii)(II), by striking subsection (b)(5) and inserting paragraph (5) or (6) of subsection (b). (b) Western Pacific Fishery Management Council study The Administrator shall conduct a study regarding the feasibility and implications of adding indigenous seats to the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council established by section 302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852) for the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council region.