§1863 Northwest Atlantic Ocean Fisheries Reinvestment Program

Summary

Create a Northwest Atlantic Ocean Fisheries Reinvestment Program by October 1, 1993. The program must help build markets and fishing for underutilized northwest Atlantic species; give New England groundfish fishery participants new fishing options; provide technical help so fishermen and processors can add value and make these fisheries profitable; find ways to use fish waste for new jobs; and help rebuild overfished New England groundfish stocks with aquaculture or hatcheries. The Secretary must consult with commercial fishers, seafood processors, and academics (including the National Sea Grant Program). If funds are available, the Secretary can award contracts and grants to U.S. citizens under the terms in section 713c–3(c) of title 15, and must give top priority to a person who owns or operates a vessel permitted to fish New England groundfish who agrees to surrender that permit while receiving help. Up to $5,000,000 is authorized for each fiscal year 1993 through 1999, with no more than $1,000,000 in 1993 and $2,000,000 in 1994 coming from monies made available under section 713c–3(b) of title 15. The Secretary must seek help from other federal agencies, including asking the Secretary of Agriculture to include these species in Foreign Agricultural Service programs under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. The New England Fishery Management Council must quickly make plans to manage any underutilized species not already covered. “Underutilized species” means fish identified as underutilized by the Director of the Northeast Fisheries Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service.