((a)) ** In general**

((1)) ** Appointment** The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall appoint at least 6 but not more than 12 individuals to serve as members of the advisory panel, selected from among individuals who are—

((A)) knowledgeable or experienced in the harvesting, processing, marketing, management, conservation, or research of the offshore whiting resource; and

((B)) not employees of the United States.

((2)) ** Term of office** An individual appointed under paragraph (1) shall be appointed for a term of not to exceed 4 years, but shall be eligible for reappointment. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term of office of that individual’s predecessor shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.