This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
2025—Par. (3). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “2101 of title 46” for “2101(30) of title 46”. 2022—Par. (25). Pub. L. 117–328 inserted “, or with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater,” after “kilometers or more”. 2018—Par. (3). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “
section 2101(30)” for “
section 2101(21a)”. 2007—Pub. L. 109–479 added pars. (13A) defining “regional fishery association”, (20A) defining “import”, (23A) defining “limited access privilege”, (23B) defining “limited access system”, and (27A) defining “observer information” and redesignated pars. (1) to (45) as (1) to (50), respectively. 1996—Pars. (2) to (6). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), added pars. (2) to (4) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (5) and (6), respectively. Former pars. (4) to (6) redesignated (7) to (9), respectively. Par. (7). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(2)(B), substituted “Deep-sea Red Crab—Chaceon quinquedens” for “Deep-sea Red Crab—Geryon quinquedens” in list under heading “Crustacea”. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(2)(A), which directed substitution of “Cnidaria” for “Coelenterata” in heading of list of corals, was executed by making the substitution for “Colenterata” in that heading to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (4) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (10). Par. (8). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (5) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (11). Par. (9). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), added par. (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (11). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (6) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (12). Par. (10). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), added par. (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (12). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (7) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (13). Pars. (11) to (15). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated pars. (9) to (13) as (11) to (15), respectively. Former pars. (14) and (15) redesignated (16) and (17), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated pars. (8) to (12) as (11) to (15), respectively. Former pars. (13) to (15) redesignated (16) to (18), respectively. Par. (16). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), added par. (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (17). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (14) as (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (18). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (13) as (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (19). Pars. (17) to (20). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated pars. (16) to (19) as (17) to (20), respectively. Former par. (20) redesignated (21). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated pars. (15) to (18) as (17) to (20), respectively. Former pars. (19) and (20) redesignated (21) and (22), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated pars. (14) to (17) as (17) to (20), respectively. Former pars. (18) to (20) redesignated (21) to (23), respectively. Par. (21). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), added par. (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (22). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (20) as (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (22). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (19) as (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (23). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (18) as (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (24). Par. (22). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (21) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (23). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (21) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (23). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (20) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (24). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (19) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (25). Par. (23). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(6), substituted “of two and one-half kilometers” for “of one and one-half miles”. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (22) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (24). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (22) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (24). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (21) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (25). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (20) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (26). Pars. (24) to (27). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated pars. (23) to (26) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former par. (27) redesignated (28). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated pars. (23) to (26) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former par. (27) redesignated (28). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated pars. (22) to (25) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former pars. (26) and (27) redesignated (28) and (29), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated pars. (21) to (24) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former pars. (25) to (27) redesignated (28) to (30), respectively. Par. (28). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(7), added par. (28) and struck out former par. (28) which read as follows: “The term ‘optimum’, with respect to the yield from a fishery, means the amount of fish— “(A) which will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, with particular reference to food production and recreational opportunities; and “(B) which is prescribed as such on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield from such fishery, as modified by any relevant economic, social, or ecological factor.” Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (27) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (29). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (27) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (29). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (26) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (30). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (25) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (31). Pars. (29), (30). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), added pars. (29) and (30). Former pars. (29) and (30) redesignated (31) and (32), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated pars. (28) and (29) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former par. (30) redesignated (31). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated pars. (28) and (29) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former par. (30) redesignated (31). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated pars. (27) and (28) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former pars. (29) and (30) redesignated (31) and (32), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated pars. (26) and (27) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former pars. (29) and (30) redesignated (32) and (33), respectively. Par. (31). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated par. (29) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (33). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (30) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (32). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (30) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (32). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (29) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (33). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated par. (28) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (34). Pars. (32), (33). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), added pars. (32) and (33). Former pars. (32) and (33) redesignated (34) and (35), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated pars. (30) and (31) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former pars. (32) and (33) redesignated (34) and (35), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated pars. (31) and (32) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former par. (33) redesignated (34). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated pars. (31) and (32) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former par. (33) redesignated (34). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated pars. (30) and (31) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former pars. (32) and (33) redesignated (34) and (35), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated pars. (29) and (30) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former par. (32) redesignated (35). Pars. (34), (35). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated pars. (32) and (33) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former pars. (34) and (35) redesignated (36) and (37), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated pars. (32) and (33) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former pars. (34) and (35) redesignated (36) and (37), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated pars. (33) and (34) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former par. (35) redesignated (36). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated pars. (33) and (34) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former par. (35) redesignated (36). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated pars. (32) and (33) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former pars. (34) and (35) redesignated (36) and (37), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(1), redesignated pars. (31) and (32) as (34) and (35), respectively. Par. (36). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), added par. (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (37). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated par. (34) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (38). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated par. (34) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (38). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (35) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (37). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (35) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (37). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (34) as (36). Par. (37). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated par. (36) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (38). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated par. (35) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (39). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated par. (35) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (39). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (36) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (38). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (36) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (38). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(3), redesignated par. (35) as (37). Par. (38). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated par. (37) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (39). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated par. (36) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (40). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated par. (36) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (40). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (37) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (39). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(4), redesignated par. (37) as (38). Par. (39). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated par. (38) as (39). Former par. (39) redesignated (40). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated par. (37) as (39). Former par. (39) redesignated (41). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated par. (37) as (39). Former par. (39) redesignated (41). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(5), redesignated par. (38) as (39). Pars. (40), (41). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated pars. (39) and (40) as (40) and (41), respectively. Former par. (41) redesignated (42). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated pars. (38) and (39) as (40) and (41), respectively. Former pars. (40) and (41) redesignated (42) and (43), respectively. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(8), redesignated pars. (38) and (39) as (40) and (41), respectively. Par. (42). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(11), which directed the substitution of “regulated under this chapter” for “for which a fishery management plan prepared under subchapter IV of this chapter or a preliminary fishery management plan prepared under
section 1821(g) of this title has been implemented”, was executed by making substitution for language which referred to “
section 1821(h)”, notwithstanding directory language directing substitution for language which referred to “
section 1821(g)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated par. (41) as (42). Former par. (42) redesignated (43). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated par. (40) as (42). Par. (43). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated par. (42) as (43). Former par. (43) redesignated (44). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(9), redesignated par. (41) as (43). Par. (44). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(12), added par. (44). Former par. (44) redesignated (45). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(10), redesignated par. (43) as (44). Par. (45). Pub. L. 104–297, § 102(12), redesignated par. (44) as (45). 1990—Par. (7). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(2), substituted “and birds” for “, birds, and highly migratory species”. Par. (14). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(3), amended par. (14) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (14) read as follows: “The term ‘highly migratory species’ means species of tuna which, in the course of their life cycle, spawn and migrate over great distances in waters of the ocean.” Par. (16). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(4), added par. (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (17). Par. (17). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(1), redesignated par. (16) as (17). Former par. (17) redesignated (19). Par. (18). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(5), added par. (18). Former par. (18) redesignated (21). Par. (19). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(1), redesignated par. (17) as (19). Former par. (19) redesignated (22). Par. (20). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(6), added par. (20). Former par. (20) redesignated (23). Pars. (21) to (26). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(1), redesignated pars. (18) to (23) as (21) to (26), respectively. Former pars. (24) to (26) redesignated (28) to (30), respectively. Par. (27). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(7), added par. (27). Former par. (27) redesignated (31). Pars. (28) to (31). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(1), redesignated pars. (24) to (27) as (28) to (31), respectively. Par. (32). Pub. L. 101–627, § 102(a)(8), added par. (32). 1988—Par. (27). Pub. L. 100–239 amended par. (27) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (27) read as follows: “The term ‘vessel of the United States’ means— “(A) any vessel documented under the laws of the United States; “(B) any vessel numbered in accordance with the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 and measuring less than 5 net tons; or “(C) any vessel numbered under the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 and used exclusively for pleasure.” 1986—Par. (4). Pub. L. 99–659, § 112, in provisions under heading “Mollusks” substituted “Arctica islandica” for “Artica islandica” and under heading “Sponges” substituted “Spongia cheiris” for “Hippiospongia canaliculata”. Pars. (6) to (8). Pub. L. 99–659, § 101(a), added par. (6), redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7) and (8), respectively, and struck out former par. (8) which defined “fishery conservation zone” as the fishery conservation zone established by
section 1811 of this title. 1983—Par. (27). Pub. L. 97–453 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), struck out “or registered under the laws of any State” after “United States”, and added subpars. (B) and (C). 1978—Pars. (25) to (27). Pub. L. 95–354 added pars. (25) and (26) and redesignated former par. (25) as (27).
described in subsection (b) to the interstate compact which constituted the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission, approved by the Act of July 24, 1947 (61 Stat. 419; hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘compact’). “(b) Amendment Described.—The
of this section [Nov. 28, 1990] by the contracting States to the compact, which—“(1) amend Article III of the compact to redesignate the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission as the ‘Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission’; and “(2) make such other
to the compact as are necessary solely to conform the text of the compact to the amendment described in paragraph (1). “(c) References.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission constituted by the compact is deemed to be a reference to the ‘Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission’.”