§ 6905. Enforcement

1,109 words·~5 min read·/usc/title-16/section-6905

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(a)In general The Secretary may—

(1)administer and enforce this chapter and any regulations issued under this chapter, except to the extent otherwise provided for in this Act;

(2)request and utilize on a reimbursed or non-reimbursed basis the assistance, services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of other Federal departments and agencies in—

(A)the administration and enforcement of this chapter; and

(B)the conduct of scientific, research, and other programs under this chapter;

(3)conduct fishing operations and biological experiments for purposes of scientific investigation or other purposes necessary to implement the WCPFC Convention;

(4)collect, utilize, and disclose such information as may be necessary to implement the WCPFC Convention, subject to sections 552 and 552a of title 5 and section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1881a(b));

(5)if recommended by the United States Commissioners or proposed by a Council with authority over the relevant fishery, assess and collect fees, not to exceed three percent of the ex-vessel value of fish harvested by vessels of the United States in fisheries managed pursuant to this chapter, to recover the actual costs to the United States of management and enforcement under this chapter, which shall be deposited as an offsetting collection in, and credited to, the account providing appropriations to carry out the functions of the Secretary under this chapter; and

(6)issue permits to owners and operators of United States vessels to fish in the convention area seaward of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, and shall remain valid for a period to be determined by the Secretary.

(b)Consistency with other laws The Secretary shall ensure the consistency, to the extent practicable, of fishery management programs administered under this Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), the South Pacific Tuna Act (16 U.S.C. 973 et seq.), section 401 of Public Law 108–219 (16 U.S.C. 1821 note) (relating to Pacific albacore tuna), and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 [et seq.]).

(c)Additional prohibitions and enforcement For additional prohibitions relating to this chapter and enforcement of this chapter, see section 1826g of this title.

(d)Confidentiality

(1)In general Any information submitted to the Secretary in compliance with any requirement under this Act shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except—

(A)to Federal employees who are responsible for administering, implementing, and enforcing this Act;

(B)to the Commission, in accordance with requirements in the Convention and decisions of the Commission, and, insofar as possible, in accordance with an agreement with the Commission that prevents public disclosure of the identity or business of any person;

(C)to State or Marine Fisheries Commission employees pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary that prevents public disclosure of the identity or business or any person;

(D)when required by court order; or

(E)when the Secretary has obtained written authorization from the person submitting such information to release such information to persons for reasons not otherwise provided for in this subsection, and such release does not violate other requirements of this Act.

(2)Use of information The Secretary shall, by regulation, prescribe such procedures as may be necessary to preserve the confidentiality of information submitted in compliance with any requirement or regulation under this Act, except that the Secretary may release or make public any such information in any aggregate or summary form that does not directly or indirectly disclose the identity or business of any person. Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted or construed to prevent the use for conservation and management purposes by the Secretary of any information submitted in compliance with any requirement or regulation under this Act.

(Pub. L. 109–479, title V, § 506, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3640; Pub. L. 114–81, title I, § 105(1), Nov. 5, 2015, 129 Stat. 657.)

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