(a) Establishment of panel
Not later than 180 days after October 11, 1996, the Secretary shall establish an advisory panel under this chapter to develop recommendations to expand the application of ecosystem principles in fishery conservation and management activities.

(b) Panel membership
The advisory panel shall consist of not more than 20 individuals and include—

(1) individuals with expertise in the structures, functions, and physical and biological characteristics of ecosystems; and

(2) representatives from the Councils, States, fishing industry, conservation organizations, or others with expertise in the management of marine resources.

(c) Recommendations
Prior to selecting advisory panel members, the Secretary shall, with respect to panel members described in subsection (b)(1), solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences.

(d) Report
Within 2 years after October 11, 1996, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a completed report of the panel established under this section, which shall include—

(1) an analysis of the extent to which ecosystem principles are being applied in fishery conservation and management activities, including research activities;

(2) proposed actions by the Secretary and by the Congress that should be undertaken to expand the application of ecosystem principles in fishery conservation and management; and

(3) such other information as may be appropriate.

(e) Procedural matter
The advisory panel established under this section shall be deemed an advisory panel under section 1852(g) of this title.

(f) Regional ecosystem research

(1) Study
Within 180 days after January 12, 2007, the Secretary, in consultation with the Councils, shall undertake and complete a study on the state of the science for advancing the concepts and integration of ecosystem considerations in regional fishery management. The study should build upon the recommendations of the advisory panel and include—

(A) recommendations for scientific data, information and technology requirements for understanding ecosystem processes, and methods for integrating such information from a variety of federal,¹ state,¹ and regional sources;

(B) recommendations for processes for incorporating broad stake holder participation;

(C) recommendations for processes to account for effects of environmental variation on fish stocks and fisheries; and

(D) a description of existing and developing council efforts to implement ecosystem approaches, including lessons learned by the councils.

(2) Agency technical advice and assistance, regional pilot programs
The Secretary is authorized to provide necessary technical advice and assistance, including grants, to the Councils for the development and design of regional pilot programs that build upon the recommendations of the advisory panel and, when completed, the study.