A bill to improve fishery conservation and management.

Summary

Amends Federal law concerning fishery conservation to define "exclusive economic zone" for purposes of exercising sovereign rights to fishery resources in such zone. States that the United States shall exercise sole fishery management authority (except with regard to highly migratory fishes) within the exclusive economic zone. Provides also that the United States shall exercise exclusive fishery management authority over all anadromous fishes throughout their migratory range beyond the exclusive economic zone (except when such fishes are in a foreign nation's territorial sea or exclusive economic zone) and all Continental Shelf fishery resources beyond the exclusive economic zone. Provides that the United States will consider whether and to what extent a foreign nation is extending fishing privileges when determining whether to initiate bilateral agreements creating foreign fishing privileges within the zone claimed under U.S. authority. Outlines details to be incorporated into such bilateral agreements. Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations for the purpose of establishing such agreements. Provides for congressional oversight of any agreements entered into. Provides that fishing permits issued to foreign vessels to permit fishing within the U.S. fishery zone shall be valid only for a period of one year, with renewal required thereafter. Provides various sanctions for foreign fishing vessels committing prohibited acts, including revocation, suspension, or denial of fishing permits. Provides for temporary suspension of such permits while an administrative proceeding concerning a violation is in progress. Requires a closing from the public of meetings of regional fishery management councils that concern matters that bear a national security classification or contain confidential statistics. Requires voting members of regional fishery management councils to disclose any financial interest held in any fish harvesting or processing activity over which such council has jurisdiction. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to maintain confidentiality of any statistics contained in fishery management plans submitted for his approval, except in specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to make an immediate preliminary evaluation of any fishery management plan submitted in order to determine if it is consistent with national standards and warrants further review. Prohibits the Governor of a State from allowing a foreign fishing vessel to engage in fish processing in a U.S. fishery management zone if: (1) a fishery management plan is in effect for such zone and U.S. processors have exclusive rights under such plan; or (2) the Governor determines that fish processors within the State have adequate capacity to process all harvested fish from such fishery in the State. Defines as a prohibited act the submission to a council, the Secretary, or the Governor of a State of a false statement pertaining to fish processing capacity. Provides that civil penalties assessed against the owner or operator of a vessel shall constitute a lien upon such vessel enforceable in any district court for a district in which such vessel arrives or departs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987.

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Documents

2 official files

• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 10 June 1985

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 19 March 1985

  Open at official source

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