---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 5603"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "5603"
heading: "Authorities of Secretary of State with respect to Convention"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/5603"
units:
  - "Chapter 76 — Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention"
---

# §5603. Authorities of Secretary of State with respect to Convention


The Secretary of State may, on behalf of the Government of the United States—

- (1) receive and transmit reports, requests, recommendations, proposals, and other communications of and to the [Organization](/usc/16/5609.md?p=11) and its subsidiary organs;
- (2) object, or withdraw an objection, to the proposal of the [Commission](/usc/16/5609.md?p=3) consistent with the procedures detailed in Articles XIV and XV of the [Convention](/usc/16/5609.md?p=5);
- (3) give or withdraw notice of intent not to be bound by a measure of the [Commission](/usc/16/5609.md?p=3) consistent with the procedures detailed in Articles XIV and XV of the [Convention](/usc/16/5609.md?p=5);
- (4) object or withdraw an objection to an amendment to the [Convention](/usc/16/5609.md?p=5); and
- (5) act upon, or refer to any other appropriate authority, any other communication referred to in [paragraph (1)](#1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–43, title II, § 204, Nov. 3, 1995, 109 Stat. 379; Pub. L. 114–327, title V, § 504, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1996.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2016—Pars. (2), (3). Pub. L. 114–327 substituted “Commission consistent with the procedures detailed in Articles XIV and XV of the Convention” for “Fisheries Commission”.