Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorized

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Other Provisions

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 calls for renewed efforts to end overfishing, increase use of market-based management tools, and apply ecosystem approaches to management. The law: establishes a firm deadline to end overfishing; authorizes the use of market-based limited access privilege programs; requires establishment of a regionally based registry for recreational fishermen; strengthens fisheries enforcement; authorize the Secretary to provide assistance to the Regional Fishery Management Councils for development of regional ecosystem pilot programs; and establishes Community Based Restoration Programs that utilize public-private partnerships to restore fishery and coastal habitat, in line with the President’s Cooperative Conservation Agenda. This legislation is an important step for the United States to continue our rebuilding efforts of the nation’s fisheries. This act will allow our fishers to utilize all of the tools that are available, so their fishing businesses can operate safely and economically.

Council Multi-Year Research Plans

The Councils have developed, in conjunction with the SSCs, multi-year research priorities for fisheries, fisheries interactions, habitats, and other areas of research that are necessary for management purposes, for 5-year periods. These research priorities are to be updated as necessary and submitted to the Secretary and NMFS regional science centers for consideration in developing research priorities and budgets for the region of the Council.

Below are the research plans for each Council. Click on the Council name to visit their website.

• New England Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)
• Mid-Atlantic Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)
• South Atlantic Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)
• Caribbean Council: Click to read the summary of research. Click to read the 5-year research plan. Click to read the research operations. Click to read the coral research plan. (2009)
• Gulf of Mexico Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)
• Pacific Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)
• North Pacific Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)
• West Pacific Council: Click to read the 5-year research plan. (2008)

Council SOPPs

• NMFS proposes changes to the regulations that address the operations and administration of regional fishery management councils (Councils). The regulatory changes are needed to implement amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that, among other things, govern the Council Coordination Committee, expand the role of the Councils’ Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), require that SSC members disclose their financial interests, and provide for training of Council members and staff.  Additionally, the proposed rule would make changes to the regulations requiring Councils to provide procedures for proposed regulations, clarifying restrictions on lobbying, and clarifying timing in the Council member nomination process. The proposed rule would also make technical and minor corrections to the regulations unrelated to the most recent Magnuson-Stevens Act amendments. Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. e.d.t. on July 6, 2009.  Click here to read the proposed rule.

Disaster Assistance

• NMFS proposes regulations to govern the requests for determinations of fishery resource disasters as a basis for acquiring potential disaster assistance. The regulations would establish definitions, and characteristics of commercial fishery failures, fishery resource disasters, serious disruptions affecting future production, and harm incurred by fishermen, as well as requirements for initiating a review by NMFS, and the administrative process it will follow in processing such applications. Comments must be submitted in writing on or before April 20, 2009. Click here for the proposed rule. Click here to see the extension of the comment period.
• NMFS requested comments in January, 2008, on fisheries disaster assistance

IFQ Referenda Guidelines

• NMFS issues final guidelines and procedures for determining procedures and voting eligibility requirements for referenda on Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program proposals (PDF)


• NMFS proposes guidelines and procedures for determining procedures and voting eligibility requirements for referenda on Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program proposals (PDF)

Technical Changes

• On November 17, 2008 (73 FR 67809), NMFS issued minor changes to update regulations amended by the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006. These changes resolve inconsistencies in language between the Act and codified text. These changes are effective November 17, 2008, and can be viewed here.

Fishery Science Degrees

• The National Marine Fisheries Service has presented a Report to Congress on the results of a study whether there is a shortage in the number of people pursuing and obtaining higher education in fishery science who have the ability to conduct high quality research in fishery population dynamics, stock assessments and related fields. This study includes important conclusions for the future of higher education and fisheries management. For this study and related information, click here

Community-Based Habitat Restoration Program

• On September 26, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service published updated guidelines for the Community-Based Restoration Program (73 FR 55816). This notice makes minor changes to previously published guidelines and highlights specific authorization for the Program established in the MSRA. (PDF)
• A description of NOAA's Community-Based Restoration Program can be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/projects_programs/crp/index.html

Data Sharing

• The National Marine Fisheries Service and the United States Coast Guard submitted a joint report to Congress on fishery management systems and data sharing. (PDF)

Peer Review

• NMFS is considering and is seeking public comment on proposed rulemaking to revise National Standard 2 guidelines regarding use of best scientific information available. NMFS is considering modifying the language describing the content and purpose of the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report or related documents, and adding language regarding peer review processes, the role of the scientific and statistical committees (SSCs) of the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and the relationship between peer reviews and SSCs.  Written comments must be received on or before December 17, 2008. (PDF)

Disclosure of Financal Interest and Recusal

• 2007 Report on Disclosure of Financial Interest and Recusal Requirements For Councils and SSCs Under MSRA (PDF)
• For updated annual reports, click here.

Bycatch Reduction and Engineering Program

• NMFS Adopts the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (PDF)
• For more information on this program, including news and reports, click here.

Hurricane Impacts

• Report to Congress on the Hurricane Impacts on Habitat (PDF) - 13MB | 43MB)
• Errata (8-7-07) (PDF)
• Report to Congress on the Hurricane Impacts on Fisheries (PDF)

Exempted Fishing Activities

• NMFS requests comments on research activities, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activities (PDF)

Excess Harvesting Capacity

• NMFS Releases Report on Excess Harvesting Capacity in U.S. Fisheries (PDF)
• Appendix C of Report (PDF)

Council Training

• Council Training Syllabus (PDF)

Actions by the Councils and Regions

• Pacific Council letter to Congress, providing information on the Council's progress in the rationalization of the West Coast Groundfish and Whiting Trawl Fisheries (Section 302(f)).
• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Report on Council Management Coordination (PDF)
• Klamath River Coho Salmon Recovery Plan (PDF)
• For more information on activities in the Klamath River Basin, click here
• New England Groundfish: Report to Congress (PDF)
• Analysis of State Fisheries in the Northeast (Section 110) (PDF)
• Analysis of State Fisheries in the Pacific Islands (Section 110) (PDF)
• Notice of availability of Amendment 25 to the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Management Plan (PDF)