US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 5107b

Transition to management of American lobster fishery by Commission

(a)

Temporary limits

16 U.S.C. 1801section 5103(b) of this titleNotwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( et seq.), if no regulations have been issued under by , to implement a coastal fishery management plan for American lobster, then the Secretary shall issue interim regulations before , that will prohibit any vessel that takes lobsters in the exclusive economic zone by a method other than pots or traps from landing lobsters (or any parts thereof) at any location within the United States in excess of—
(1)
100 lobsters (or parts thereof) for each fishing trip of 24 hours or less duration (up to a maximum of 500 lobsters, or parts thereof, during any 5-day period); or
(2)
500 lobsters (or parts thereof) for a fishing trip of 5 days or longer.
(b)

Secretary to monitor landings

16 U.S.C. 1851section 5103(b) of this titleBefore , the Secretary shall monitor, on a timely basis, landings of American lobster, and, if the Secretary determines that catches from vessels that take lobsters in the exclusive economic zone by a method other than pots or traps have increased significantly, then the Secretary may, consistent with the national standards in section 301 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [], and after opportunity for public comment and consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, implement regulations under that are necessary for the conservation of American lobster.

(c)

Regulations to remain in effect until plan implemented

section 5103(b) of this titleRegulations issued under subsection (a) or (b) shall remain in effect until the Secretary implements regulations under to implement a coastal fishery management plan for American lobster.

Pub. L. 103–206, title VIII, § 810Pub. L. 104–297, title IV, § 404(c)110 Stat. 3620 Pub. L. 106–555, title I, § 122(b)(3)114 Stat. 2766 (, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 103–206107 Stat. 2447 section 5101 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “this Act”, and was translated as reading “this title”, meaning title VIII of , , , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title VIII to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 94–26590 Stat. 331 section 1801 of this titleThe Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Prior Provisions

section 810 of Pub. L. 103–206section 9 of Pub. L. 98–613section 1851 of this titlePub. L. 104–297A prior , which repealed set out in a note under , was renumbered section 812 by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 106–5552000—Subsecs. (a), (b). substituted “Magnuson-Stevens Fishery” for “Magnuson Fishery”.