Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§1884 Deep sea coral research and technology program

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 38— - FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - FISHERY MONITORING AND RESEARCH › § 1884

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must set up a deep sea coral research and technology program, working with regional fishery councils, other federal agencies, and colleges or universities, if funding is available. The program must identify and map known and likely coral sites, monitor those areas with tools like underwater or remote sensing, do research (including with fishing industry partners), develop ways to reduce gear damage, and focus work where corals are known or predicted to occur. Beginning 1 year after January 12, 2007, the Secretary must send reports every two years to Congress and the public that describe actions taken and summarize mapping, research, and data collected.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §1884

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate regional fishery management councils and in coordination with other federal 11 So in original. Probably should be capitalized. agencies and educational institutions, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, establish a program—

(1)to identify existing research on, and known locations of, deep sea corals and submit such information to the appropriate Councils;

(2)to locate and map locations of deep sea corals and submit such information to the Councils;

(3)to monitor activity in locations where deep sea corals are known or likely to occur, based on best scientific information available, including through underwater or remote sensing technologies and submit such information to the appropriate Councils;

(4)to conduct research, including cooperative research with fishing industry participants, on deep sea corals and related species, and on survey methods;

(5)to develop technologies or methods designed to assist fishing industry participants in reducing interactions between fishing gear and deep sea corals; and

(6)to prioritize program activities in areas where deep sea corals are known to occur, and in areas where scientific modeling or other methods predict deep sea corals are likely to be present.

(b)Beginning 1 year after January 12, 2007, the Secretary, in consultation with the Councils, shall submit biennial reports to Congress and the public on steps taken by the Secretary to identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral areas, including summaries of the results of mapping, research, and data collection performed under the program.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 1884

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73