Shark Conservation Act of 2010 (PL. 111–348)

PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 SHARK AND FISHERY CONSERVATION ACT VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00001 Fmt 6579 Sfmt 6579 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S 124 STAT. 3668 PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 Public Law 111–348 111th Congress An Act To amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve the conservation of sharks. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Table of contents. TITLE I—SHARK CONSERVATION ACT OF 2010 Sec. 101. Short title. Sec. 102. Amendment of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. Sec. 103. Amendment of Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Sec. 104. Offset of implementation cost. TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES AGREEMENT Sec. 201. Short title. Sec. 202. International Fishery Agreement. Sec. 203. Application with other laws. Sec. 204. Effective date. TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS Sec. 301. Technical corrections to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Con vention Implementation Act. Sec. 302. Pacific Whiting Act of 2006. Sec. 303. Replacement vessel. TITLE I—SHARK CONSERVATION ACT OF 2010 SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ‘‘Shark Conservation Act of 2010’’. SEC. 102. AMENDMENT OF HIGH SEAS DRIFTNET FISHING MORATO RIUM PROTECTION ACT. (a) ACTIONS TO STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL FISHERY MANAGE MENT ORGANIZATIONS.—Section 608 of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826i) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; (B) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; and 16 USC 1801 note. Shark Conservation Act of 2010. Jan. 4, 2011 [H.R. 81] VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00002 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S 124 STAT. 3669 PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 (C) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(F) to adopt shark conservation measures, including measures to prohibit removal of any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) and discarding the carcass of the shark at sea;’’; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: ‘‘(3) seeking to enter into international agreements that require measures for the conservation of sharks, including measures to prohibit removal of any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) and discarding the carcass of the shark at sea, that are comparable to those of the United States, taking into account different conditions; and’’. (b) ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UNREGULATED FISHING.— Subparagraph (A) of section 609(e)(3) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(e)(3)) is amended— (1) by striking the ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘bycatch reduction require ments’’; and (2) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ‘‘, and shark conservation measures;’’. (c) EQUIVALENT CONSERVATION MEASURES.— (1) IDENTIFICATION.—Subsection (a) of section 610 of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826k) is amended— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘607, a nation if—’’ and inserting ‘‘607—’’; (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; and (ii) by moving clauses (i) and (ii) (as so redesig nated) 2 ems to the right; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively; (D) by moving subparagraphs (A) through (C) (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; (E) by inserting before subparagraph (A) (as so redesig nated) the following: ‘‘(1) a nation if—’’; (F) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and (G) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(2) a nation if— ‘‘(A) fishing vessels of that nation are engaged, or have been engaged during the preceding calendar year, in fishing activities or practices in waters beyond any national juris diction that target or incidentally catch sharks; and ‘‘(B) the nation has not adopted a regulatory program to provide for the conservation of sharks, including meas ures to prohibit removal of any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) and discarding the carcass of the shark at sea, that is comparable to that of the United States, taking into account different conditions.’’. (2) INITIAL IDENTIFICATIONS.—The Secretary of Commerce shall begin making identifications under paragraph (2) of sec tion 610(a) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Deadline. 16 USC 1826k note. VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00003 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S 124 STAT. 3670 PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826k(a)), as added by paragraph (1)(G), not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 103. AMENDMENT OF MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVA TION AND MANAGEMENT ACT. (a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 307 of Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1857) is amended— (1) by amending subparagraph (P) to read as follows: ‘‘(P)(i) to remove any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) at sea; ‘‘(ii) to have custody, control, or possession of any such fin aboard a fishing vessel unless it is naturally attached to the corresponding carcass; ‘‘(iii) to transfer any such fin from one vessel to another vessel at sea, or to receive any such fin in such transfer, without the fin naturally attached to the corresponding carcass; or ‘‘(iv) to land any such fin that is not naturally attached to the corresponding carcass, or to land any shark carcass without such fins naturally attached;’’; and (2) by striking the matter following subparagraph (R) and inserting the following: ‘‘For purposes of subparagraph (P), there shall be a rebuttable presumption that if any shark fin (including the tail) is found aboard a vessel, other than a fishing vessel, without being naturally attached to the corresponding carcass, such fin was transferred in violation of subparagraph (P)(iii) or that if, after landing, the total weight of shark fins (including the tail) landed from any vessel exceeds five percent of the total weight of shark carcasses landed, such fins were taken, held, or landed in violation of subparagraph (P). In such subparagraph, the term ‘naturally attached’, with respect to a shark fin, means attached to the corresponding shark carcass through some por tion of uncut skin.’’. (b) SAVINGS CLAUSE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsection (a) do not apply to an individual engaged in commercial fishing for smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) in that area of the waters of the United States located shoreward of a line drawn in such a manner that each point on it is 50 nautical miles from the baseline of a State from which the territorial sea is measured, if the individual holds a valid State commercial fishing license, unless the total weight of smooth dogfish fins landed or found on board a vessel to which this subsection applies exceeds 12 percent of the total weight of smooth dogfish carcasses landed or found on board. (2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: (A) COMMERCIAL FISHING.—The term ‘‘commercial fishing’’ has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802). (B) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning given that term in section 803 of Public Law 103–206 (16 U.S.C. 5102). 16 USC 1857 note. Definition. VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00004 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S 124 STAT. 3671 PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 SEC. 104. OFFSET OF IMPLEMENTATION COST. Section 308(a) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 4107(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2012.’’ and inserting ‘‘2010, and $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012.’’. TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES AGREEMENT SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ‘‘International Fisheries Agree ment Clarification Act’’. SEC. 202. INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT. Consistent with the intent of provisions of the Magnuson-Ste vens Fishery and Conservation and Management Act relating to international agreements, the Secretary of Commerce and the New England Fishery Management Council may, for the purpose of rebuilding those portions of fish stocks covered by the United States Canada Transboundary Resource Sharing Understanding on the date of enactment of this Act— (1) take into account the Understanding and decisions made under that Understanding in the application of section 304(e)(4)(A)(i) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(4)(A)(i)); (2) consider decisions made under that Understanding as ‘‘management measures under an international agreement’’ that ‘‘dictate otherwise’’ for purposes of section 304(e)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(4)(A)(ii); and (3) establish catch levels for those portions of fish stocks within their respective geographic areas covered by the Under standing on the date of enactment of this Act that exceed the catch levels otherwise required under the Northeast Multi species Fishery Management Plan if— (A) overfishing is ended immediately; (B) the fishing mortality level ensures rebuilding within a time period for rebuilding specified taking into account the Understanding pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection; and (C) such catch levels are consistent with that Under standing. SEC. 203. APPLICATION WITH OTHER LAWS. Nothing in this title shall be construed to amend the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1851 et seq.) or to limit or otherwise alter the authority of the Secretary of Commerce under that Act concerning other species. SEC. 204. EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), section 202 shall apply with respect to fishing years beginning after April 30, 2010. (b) SPECIAL RULE.—Section 202(3)(B) shall only apply with respect to fishing years beginning after April 30, 2012. Applicability. 16 USC 1854 note. 16 USC 1854 note. 16 USC 1854 note. 16 USC 1854 note. International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act. VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00005 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S 124 STAT. 3672 PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS SEC. 301. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC FISHERIES CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION ACT. Section 503 of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6902) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘Management Council and’’ in subsection (a) and inserting ‘‘Management Council, and one of whom shall be the chairman or a member of’’; (2) by striking subsection (c)(1) and inserting the following: ‘‘(1) EMPLOYMENT STATUS.—Individuals serving as such Commissioners, other than officers or employees of the United States Government, shall not be considered Federal employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code.’’; and (3) by striking subsection (d)(2)(B)(ii) and inserting the following: ‘‘(ii) shall not be considered Federal employees except for the purposes of injury compensation or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code.’’. SEC. 302. PACIFIC WHITING ACT OF 2006. (a) SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS.—Section 605(a)(1) of the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006 (16 U.S.C. 7004(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘at least 6 but not more than 12’’ inserting ‘‘no more than 2’’. (b) EMPLOYMENT STATUS.—Section 609(a) of the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006 (16 U.S.C. 7008(a)) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(a) EMPLOYMENT STATUS.—Individuals appointed under section 603, 604, 605, or 606 of this title, other than officers or employees of the United States Government, shall not be considered to be Federal employees while performing such service, except for pur poses of injury compensation or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code.’’. SEC. 303. REPLACEMENT VESSEL. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may promulgate regulations that allow for the replace ment or rebuilding of a vessel qualified under subsections (a)(7) and (g)(1)(A) of section 219 of the Department of Commerce and VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00006 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S 124 STAT. 3673 PUBLIC LAW 111–348—JAN. 4, 2011 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 81 (S. 850): SENATE REPORTS: No. 111–124 (Commerce, Science and Transportation) accom panying S. 850. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: Vol. 155 (2009): Mar. 2, considered and passed House. Vol. 156 (2010): Dec. 20, considered and passed Senate, amended. Dec. 21, House concurred in Senate amendment. Æ Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108–447; 188 Stat. 886–891). Approved January 4, 2011. VerDate Nov 24 2008 23:31 Jan 14, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00348 Frm 00007 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6580 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL348.111 GPO1 PsN: PUBL348an o rr is o n D S K 5 R 6 S H H 1 P R O D w ith P U B L IC L A W S