Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1983

(Reported to House from Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries with amendment, H. Rept. 98-411(Part I))

Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1983 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide the legislative authority necessary to implement the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Directs the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation, to appoint a Federal employee as the U.S. representative to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Director, to designate the U.S. representative to the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and the Director, to decide whether the United States is unable to accept or can no longer accept a conservation measure adopted by the Commission and to notify the Commission of any such decisions.

Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) notice of each proposed decision; and (2) notice of each notification made to the Commission on conservation measures.

Authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, the Director, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to agree on behalf of the United States to the establishment of a system of observation and inspection and to interim arrangements pending establishment of such a system.

Authorizes the Secretary of State, on behalf of the United States, to receive and act upon all communications from the Commission.

Prohibits any person from: (1) harvesting a marine living resource in violation of the Convention or in violation of a conservation measure in force for the United States pursuant to article IX of the Convention; (2) violating regulations promulgated under this Act; (3) dealing with any Antarctic marine living resource or part or product of such resource if the person knew or should have known the resource was harvested illegally; (4) refusing to permit an authorized officer to conduct a research or inspection of a vessel in connection with the enforcement of the Convention, this Act, or an implementing regulation; (5) interfering with an authorized officer in such a search or inspection; (6) resisting lawful arrest or detentions for violations of this Act; or (7) interfering with the arrest of another person knowing that person has violated this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations to implement this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for hearings and reviews of such penalties.

Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the powers of the officers authorized to enforce this Act. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of property used in violating this Act.

Grants U.S. district courts jurisdiction over cases or controversies arising under this Act or regulations promulgated under this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Director to design and conduct a directed research program on Antarctic marine living resources. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce and the Director to furnish facilities and personnel to the Commission.

Directs the Secretary to prepare a continuous three year plan for the directed research program which shall: (1) describe priority directed research needs for Convention implementation; (2) identify which of those needs will be fulfilled by the United States; and (3) specify the design of certain research. Requires the plan to be submitted to Congress by February 1, 1984, to cover FY 1985 through 1987. Requires the final plan to be submitted by February 1, 1987, to cover FY 1988 through 1990.

Sets forth the relationship of the Convention to existing treaties and statutes. Authorizes appropriations.