2019 US Code
Title 16 - Conservation
Chapter 71A - Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation
Sec. 5154 - Moratorium

Upon receiving notice from the Commission under section 5153(c) of this title of a negative determination regarding a coastal State, the Secretaries shall determine jointly, within 30 days, whether that coastal State is in compliance with the Plan and, if the State is not in compliance, the Secretaries shall declare jointly a moratorium on fishing for Atlantic striped bass within the coastal waters of that coastal State. In making such a determination, the Secretaries shall carefully consider and review the comments of the Commission and that coastal State in question.

During a moratorium period, it is unlawful for any person—

A person authorized by the Secretaries or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may take any action to enforce a moratorium declared under subsection (a) that an officer authorized by the Secretary under section 311(b) of the Magnuson Act (16 U.S.C. 1861(b)) may take to enforce that Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The Secretaries may, by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, utilize the personnel, services, equipment (including aircraft and vessels), and facilities of any other Federal department or agency and of any agency of a State in carrying out that enforcement.

The Secretaries may issue regulations to implement this section.

(Pub. L. 98–613, §5, Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3189; Pub. L. 99–432, §3, Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 990; Pub. L. 100–589, §6(g)(2), Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 2988; Pub. L. 102–130, §2(a), Oct. 17, 1991, 105 Stat. 626; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(a) [title II, §211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–41; Pub. L. 105–146, §2, Dec. 16, 1997, 111 Stat. 2674.)

1997—Pub. L. 105–146 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, section defined terms "moratorium area" and "moratorium period", prohibited acts during moratorium, and provided for penalties, forfeitures, and enforcement.

1996—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery" for "Magnuson Fishery".

1991—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–130 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) and (3).

1988—Subsecs. (c)(2), (d)(2). Pub. L. 100–589 substituted "Magnuson Act" for "Act of 1976".

1986—Pub. L. 99–432, §3(b), which directed the substitution of "Secretaries" for "Secretary", was executed by making the substitution in subsec. (a)(2), in three places in subsec. (c), and in two places in subsec. (e) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 99–432, §3(a), which directed the substitution of "section 5153(b)" for "section 5153(d)", was executed by making the substitution in subsecs. (a)(1), (2), (b)(3), and (e) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(a) [title II, §211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–41, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective 15 days after Oct. 11, 1996.

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.