16 USC 1881c - Fisheries research

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 18, 2025

§ 1881c.

Fisheries research

(a)

In general

(b)

Strategic plan

Within one year after October 11, 1996, and at least every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall develop and publish in the Federal Register a strategic plan for fisheries research for the 5 years immediately following such publication. The plan shall—

(1)

identify and describe a comprehensive program with a limited number of priority objectives for research in each of the areas specified in subsection (c);

(2)

indicate goals and timetables for the program described in paragraph (1);

(3)

provide a role for commercial fishermen in such research, including involvement in field testing;

(4)

provide for collection and dissemination, in a timely manner, of complete and accurate information concerning fishing activities, catch, effort, stock assessments, and other research conducted under this section; and

(5)

be developed in cooperation with the Councils and affected States, and provide for coordination with the Councils, affected States, and other research entities.

(c)

Areas of research

Areas of research are as follows:

(1)

Research to support fishery conservation and management, including but not limited to, biological research concerning the abundance and life history parameters of stocks of fish, the interdependence of fisheries or stocks of fish, the identification of essential fish habitat, the impact of pollution on fish populations, the impact of wetland and estuarine degradation, and other factors affecting the abundance and availability of fish.

(2)

Conservation engineering research, including the study of fish behavior and the development and testing of new gear technology and fishing techniques to minimize bycatch and any adverse effects on essential fish habitat and promote efficient harvest of target species.

(3)

Research on the fisheries, including the social, cultural, and economic relationships among fishing vessel owners, crew, United States fish processors, associated shoreside labor, seafood markets and fishing communities.

(4)

Information management research, including the development of a fishery information base and an information management system that will permit the full use of information in the support of effective fishery conservation and management.

(d)

Public notice

(e)

Improving data collection and analysis

(1)

In general

(2)

Content

In developing the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

identify types of data and analysis, especially concerning recreational fishing, that can be used for purposes of this chapter as the basis for establishing conservation and management measures as required by section 1853(a)(1) of this title, including setting standards for the collection and use of that data and analysis in stock assessments and surveys and for other purposes;

(B)

provide specific recommendations for collecting data and performing analyses identified as necessary to reduce uncertainty in and improve the accuracy of future stock assessments, including whether such data and analysis could be provided by nongovernmental sources; and

(C)

consider the extent to which the acceptance and use of data and analyses identified in the report in fishery management decisions is practicable and compatible with the requirements of section 1851(a)(2) of this title.

(Pub. L. 94–265, title IV, § 404, as added Pub. L. 104–297, title II, § 205, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3609; amended Pub. L. 109–479, title II, § 203(b), Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3614; Pub. L. 115–405, § 201(a), Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5358.)

cite as: 16 USC 1881c