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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 2101. Congressional statement of findings and purpose
(a) The Congress finds that -
(1) although fishery products provide an important source of
protein and industrial products for United States consumption,
United States fishery production annually falls far short of
satisfying United States demand;
(2) overfishing and the degradation of vital fishery resource
habitats have caused a reduction in the abundance and diversity
of United States fishery resources;
(3) escalated energy costs have had a negative effect on the
economics of United States commercial and recreational fisheries;
(4) commercial and recreational fisheries are a prominent
factor in United States coastal economies and the direct and
indirect returns to the United States economy from commercial and
recreational fishing expenditures are threefold; and
(5) properly designed, constructed, and located artificial
reefs in waters covered under this chapter can enhance the
habitat and diversity of fishery resources; enhance United States
recreational and commercial fishing opportunities; increase the
production of fishery products in the United States; increase the
energy efficiency of recreational and commercial fisheries; and
contribute to the United States and coastal economies.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to promote and facilitate
responsible and effective efforts to establish artificial reefs in
waters covered under this chapter.
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