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Summary

Fish and marine mammals are important resources in the open ocean and nearshore coastal areas. A diverse body of laws and regulations guides the management of these resources by a multitude of federal agencies. Reauthorization of major legislation in this issue area -- the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) -- is on the agenda of the 107th Congress, since the authorization of appropriations for both laws expired at the end of FY1999. In the 107th Congress, oversight hearings have been held and reauthorization bills introduced in the House --- H.R. 2570 and H.R. 4749 on the MSFCMA, and H.R. 4781 on the MMPA. No reauthorization bills have been reported. Commercial and sport fishing are jointly managed by the federal government and individual states. States manage fishery resources in inshore waters where 30% to 40% of the annual U.S. commercial harvest is taken. Beyond state jurisdiction and out to 200 miles, the federal government manages fisheries under the authority of the MSFCMA through the actions of eight regional fishery management councils. Beyond 200 miles, the United States participates in a multitude of international agreements relating to specific areas or species. Legislation related to commercial and sport fisheries enacted so far by the 107th Congress provides funding for capacity reduction programs for New England fisheries, modifies terms of the American Fisheries Act, extends state authority to manage West Coast Dungeness crab, requires a report on efforts to expand the promotion, marketing, and purchasing of pouched and canned salmon harvested and processed in the United States, authorizes a feasibility study of fish passage at Chiloquin Dam, OR, authorizes the waiver of state fishing regulations at military facilities, and extends the interstate compact relating to Atlantic salmon restoration for 20 years. Aquaculture -- the farming of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals and plants in a controlled environment -- is expanding rapidly, both in the United States and abroad. In the United States, important species cultured include catfish, salmon, crawfish, shellfish, and trout. Legislation related to aquaculture enacted by the 107th Congress extends authorization for aquaculture research facilities, reauthorizes the National Aquaculture Act, defines what fish may be labeled and advertized as catfish, and requires the labeling of both farm-raised and wild fish as to country of origin and to distinguish between wild and farm-raised fish. Marine mammals are provided extensive protection under the MMPA. This Act authorizes restricted use ("take") of marine mammals and addresses specific situations of concern, such as dolphin mortality primarily associated with the eastern tropical Pacific tuna fishery. Legislation enacted by the 107th Congress related to marine mammals requires the National Park Service to prepared an environmental impact statement on vessel entries to Glacier Bay National Park to assess possible impacts on whale populations.

Related Legislation:
• H.R.2570
• H.R.4749
• H.R.4781

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