§5502 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter. Agreement means the FAO Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas, adopted November 24, 1993. FAO means the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. High seas means waters beyond any nation’s territorial sea or exclusive economic zone, as the United States recognizes them. High seas fishing vessel means a U.S. vessel or one under U.S. jurisdiction used on the high seas for commercial fishing, including harvesting vessels, mother ships, or support vessels directly involved in fishing. International conservation and management measures means rules to conserve or manage marine species that follow international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and that the United States recognizes; these can come from global, regional, or subregional fisheries bodies or from treaties. Length means, for vessels built after July 18, 1982, 96 percent of a specific waterline length measured at 85 percent of the least molded depth (or another waterline measurement if larger), and for vessels built before July 18, 1982, the registered length on the vessel’s papers. Person means any individual or organization, including governments. Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce. Vessel of the United States includes vessels documented or numbered under title 46 (chapters 121 or 123), vessels owned wholly or partly by U.S. entities or citizens (unless granted foreign nationality under article 92 of the 1982 Convention and claimed at enforcement), and vessels once U.S.-documented that were unlawfully sold or reflagged. Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and vessel without nationality have the same meanings as in 46 U.S.C. 70502(c) and (d).