Title 16 › Chapter 96— NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES CONVENTION › § 7704
The Secretary of Commerce can make rules to carry out U.S. duties under the North Pacific Fisheries Convention. The Secretary must consult with the Secretary of State and, for enforcement, the department running the Coast Guard. If a rule covers a “straddling stock” that a regional Council manages inside the U.S. exclusive economic zone, that Council must approve the rule. The rules only apply to people or vessels that fish in fisheries covered by the Convention. The Secretary may use help from other federal agencies for science, research, fishing tests, data collection (subject to 5 U.S.C. 552 and 552a and 16 U.S.C. 1881a(b)), permits for U.S. vessels to fish seaward of the U.S. EEZ, and, if U.S. Commissioners recommend it, collect fees up to 3 percent of ex-vessel value to cover costs. The Secretary must try to keep these programs consistent with other fishery laws (for example, the Magnuson‑Stevens Act and several tuna and Pacific fisheries laws). Rules can be reviewed in court under chapter 7 of title 5 if a petition is filed within 30 days. The Secretary must file a court response within 30 days after being served, include the administrative record, and the court should set a hearing as soon as possible.
Full Legal Text
Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 7704
Title 16 — Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60