16 U.S.C. § 1827

Current through P.L. 118-47 (published on www.congress.gov on 03/23/2024)

Section 1827 - Observer program regarding certain foreign fishing

(a) Definitions

As used in this section-

(1) The term "Act of 1976" means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

(2) The term "billfish" means any species of marlin, spearfish, sailfish or swordfish.

(3) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce.

(b) Observer program

The Secretary shall establish a program under which a United States observer will be stationed aboard each foreign fishing vessel while that vessel-

(1) is in waters that are within-

(A) the fishery conservation zone established under section 101 of the Act of 1976 [ 16 U.S.C. 1811 ],¹ and

(B) the Convention area as defined in Article I of the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; and

(2) is taking or attempting to take any species of fish if such taking or attempting to take may result in the incidental taking of billfish.

The Secretary may acquire observers for such program through contract with qualified private persons.

(c) Functions of observers

United States observers, while aboard foreign fishing vessels as required under subsection (b), shall carry out such scientific and other functions as the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate to carry out this section.

(d) Fees

There is imposed for each year after 1980 on the owner or operator of each foreign fishing vessel that, in the judgment of the Secretary, will engage in fishing in waters described in subsection (b)(1) during that year which may result in the incidental taking of billfish a fee in an amount sufficient to cover all of the costs of providing an observer aboard that vessel under the program established under subsection (a). The fees imposed under this subsection for any year shall be paid to the Secretary before that year begins. All fees collected by the Secretary under this subsection shall be deposited in the Fund established by subsection (e).

(e) Fund

There is established in the Treasury of the United States the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund. The Fund shall be available to the Secretary as a revolving fund for the purpose of carrying out this section. The Fund shall consist of the fees deposited into it as required under subsection (d). All payments made by the Secretary to carry out this section shall be paid from the Fund, only to the extent and in the amounts provided for in advance in appropriation Acts. Sums in the Fund which are not currently needed for the purposes of this section shall be kept on deposit or invested in obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States.

(f) Prohibited acts

(1) It is unlawful for any person who is the owner or operator of a foreign fishing vessel to which this section applies-

(A) to violate any regulation issued under subsection (g);

(B) to refuse to pay the fee imposed under subsection (d) after being requested to do so by the Secretary; or

(C) to refuse to permit an individual who is authorized to act as an observer under this section with respect to that vessel to board the vessel for purposes of carrying out observer functions.

(2) Section 308 of the Act of 1976 [ 16 U.S.C. 1858 ] (relating to civil penalties) applies to any act that is unlawful under paragraph (1), and for purposes of such application the commission of any such act shall be treated as an act the commission of which is unlawful under section 307 of the Act of 1976 [ 16 U.S.C. 1857 ].

(g) Regulations

The Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to carry out this section.

¹ See References in Text note below.

16 U.S.C. § 1827

Pub. L. 96-339, §2, Sept. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 1069; Pub. L. 96-561, title II, §238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3300; Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, §101(a) [title II, §211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009-41.

EDITORIAL NOTES

REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 94-265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables.Section 101 of the Act of 1976 [ 16 U.S.C. 1811 ], referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(A), which established the fishery conservation zone, was amended generally by Pub. L. 99-659, title I, §101(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3706, and now relates to United States sovereign rights to fish and fishery management authority within the exclusive economic zone.

CODIFICATIONSection was not enacted as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which comprises this chapter.

AMENDMENTS1996-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104-208 substituted "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery" for "Magnuson Fishery". 1980-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 96-561 substituted "Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act" for "Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976".

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, §101(a) [title II, §211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009-41, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective 15 days after Oct. 11, 1996.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 96-561, title II, §238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3300, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective 15 days after Dec. 22, 1980.

Secretary: The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce or his designee.
conservation and management: The term "conservation and management" refers to all of the rules, regulations, conditions, methods, and other measures (A) which are required to rebuild, restore, or maintain, and which are useful in rebuilding, restoring, or maintaining, any fishery resource and the marine environment; and (B) which are designed to assure that-(i) a supply of food and other products may be taken, and that recreational benefits may be obtained, on a continuing basis;(ii) irreversible or long-term adverse effects on fishery resources and the marine environment are avoided; and(iii) there will be a multiplicity of options available with respect to future uses of these resources.
exclusive economic zone: The term "exclusive economic zone" means the zone established by Proclamation Numbered 5030, dated March 10, 1983. For purposes of applying this chapter, the inner boundary of that zone is a line coterminous with the seaward boundary of each of the coastal States.
fish: The term "fish" means finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds.
fishery: The term "fishery" means-(A) one or more stocks of fish which can be treated as a unit for purposes of conservation and management and which are identified on the basis of geographical, scientific, technical, recreational, and economic characteristics; and(B) any fishing for such stocks.
fishing: The term "fishing" means-(A) the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;(B) the attempted catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;(C) any other activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; or(D) any operations at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).Such term does not include any scientific research activity which is conducted by a scientific research vessel.
foreign fishing: The term "foreign fishing" means fishing by a vessel other than a vessel of the United States.
observer: The term "observer" means any person required or authorized to be carried on a vessel for conservation and management purposes by regulations or permits under this chapter.
person: The term "person" means any individual (whether or not a citizen or national of the United States), any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity (whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any State), and any Federal, State, local, or foreign government or any entity of any such government.