US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 1882

Fisheries systems research

(a)

Establishment of panel

Not later than 180 days after , the Secretary shall establish an advisory panel under this chapter to develop recommendations to expand the application of ecosystem principles in fishery conservation and management activities.

(b)

Panel membership

The advisory panel shall consist of not more than 20 individuals and include—
(1)
individuals with expertise in the structures, functions, and physical and biological characteristics of ecosystems; and
(2)
representatives from the Councils, States, fishing industry, conservation organizations, or others with expertise in the management of marine resources.
(c)

Recommendations

Prior to selecting advisory panel members, the Secretary shall, with respect to panel members described in subsection (b)(1), solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences.

(d)

Report

Within 2 years after , the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a completed report of the panel established under this section, which shall include—
(1)
an analysis of the extent to which ecosystem principles are being applied in fishery conservation and management activities, including research activities;
(2)
proposed actions by the Secretary and by the Congress that should be undertaken to expand the application of ecosystem principles in fishery conservation and management; and
(3)
such other information as may be appropriate.
(e)

Procedural matter

section 1852(g) of this titleThe advisory panel established under this section shall be deemed an advisory panel under .

(f)

Regional ecosystem research

(1)

Study

Within 180 days after , the Secretary, in consultation with the Councils, shall undertake and complete a study on the state of the science for advancing the concepts and integration of ecosystem considerations in regional fishery management. The study should build upon the recommendations of the advisory panel and include—
(A)
1
1 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
1 recommendations for scientific data, information and technology requirements for understanding ecosystem processes, and methods for integrating such information from a variety of federal, state, and regional sources;
(B)
recommendations for processes for incorporating broad stake holder participation;
(C)
recommendations for processes to account for effects of environmental variation on fish stocks and fisheries; and
(D)
a description of existing and developing council efforts to implement ecosystem approaches, including lessons learned by the councils.
(2)

Agency technical advice and assistance, regional pilot programs

The Secretary is authorized to provide necessary technical advice and assistance, including grants, to the Councils for the development and design of regional pilot programs that build upon the recommendations of the advisory panel and, when completed, the study.

Pub. L. 94–265, title IV, § 40690 Stat. 361Pub. L. 95–354, § 192 Stat. 519Pub. L. 96–61, § 193 Stat. 407Pub. L. 97–453, § 14(a)96 Stat. 2492Pub. L. 99–659, title I, § 111(a)100 Stat. 3715Pub. L. 101–627, title I, § 119104 Stat. 4459Pub. L. 104–297, title II, § 207(a)110 Stat. 3612Pub. L. 109–479, title II, § 210120 Stat. 3617(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 94–26590 Stat. 331section 1801 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 104–297, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original “the date of enactment of this Act”, which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of , which amended this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–4792007—Subsec. (f). added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 104–2971996— amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, section authorized appropriations to carry out this chapter for fiscal year ending to fiscal year ending .

Pub. L. 101–6271990—Pars. (16) to (19). added pars. (16) to (19).

Pub. L. 99–6591986—Pars. (12) to (15). added pars. (12) to (15).

Pub. L. 97–4531983—Pars. (9) to (11). added pars. (9) to (11).

Pub. L. 96–611979—Pars. (6) to (8). added pars. (6) to (8).

Pub. L. 95–3541978—Par. (5). added par. (5).