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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 971i. Research on Atlantic highly migratory species
(a) Omitted
(b) Highly migratory species research and monitoring
(1) Within 6 months after November 3, 1995, the Secretary of
Commerce, in cooperation with the advisory committee established
under section 4 of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16
U.S.C. 971b) and in consultation with the United States
Commissioners on the International Commission for the Conservation
of Atlantic Tunas (referred to elsewhere in this section as the
"Commission") and the Secretary of State, shall develop and
implement a comprehensive research and monitoring program to
support the conservation and management of Atlantic bluefin tuna
and other highly migratory species that shall -
(A) identify and define the range of stocks of highly migratory
species in the Atlantic Ocean, including Atlantic bluefin tuna;
and
(B) provide for appropriate participation by nations which are
members of the Commission.
(2) The program shall provide for, but not be limited to -
(A) statistically designed cooperative tagging studies;
(B) genetic and biochemical stock analyses;
(C) population censuses carried out through aerial surveys of
fishing grounds and known migration areas;
(D) adequate observer coverage and port sampling of commercial
and recreational fishing activity;
(E) collection of comparable real-time data on commercial and
recreational catches and landings through the use of permits,
logbooks, landing reports for charter operations and fishing
tournaments, and programs to provide reliable reporting of the
catch by private anglers;
(F) studies of the life history parameters of Atlantic bluefin
tuna and other highly migratory species;
(G) integration of data from all sources and the preparation of
data bases to support management decisions; and
(H) other research as necessary.
(3) In developing a program under this section, the Secretary
shall -
(A) ensure that personnel and resources of each regional
research center shall have substantial participation in the stock
assessments and monitoring of highly migratory species that occur
in the region;
(B) provide for comparable monitoring of all United States
fishermen to which the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975
applies with respect to effort and species composition of catch
and discards;
(C) consult with relevant Federal and State agencies,
scientific and technical experts, commercial and recreational
fishermen, and other interested persons, public and private, and
shall publish a proposed plan in the Federal Register for the
purpose of receiving public comment on the plan; and
(D) through the Secretary of State, encourage other member
nations to adopt a similar program.
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