16 USC 6884 - Cooperation and coordination

Collapse to view only § 6884. Cooperation and coordination

§ 6881. Definitions
§ 6882. Data standardization
§ 6883. Data publication and accessibility
§ 6884. Cooperation and coordination
§ 6885. Rule of construction

§ 6881. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Exclusive economic zone

(2) Fishing restriction

The term “fishing restriction” means a restriction on fishing in a federally managed fishery established under section 1853(b)(2) of this title, including—

(A) a full or partial fishing closure, in terms of both area and duration, or a seasonal closure;

(B) a no-catch zone in the fishery;

(D) another restriction on fishing, as determined by the Secretary.

(3) Indian Tribe; Tribal organization

(4) Native Hawaiian organization

(5) Nonprofit organization

(6) Recreational vessel

(7) Secretary

(Pub. L. 119–116, § 2, Sept. 25, 2026, 140 Stat. 1057.)

§ 6882. Data standardization

Not later than 31 months after September 25, 2026, the Secretary, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations, shall develop and adopt standards with respect to the coordination and dissemination of geospatial data relating to fishing restrictions, use of the exclusive economic zone by recreational vessels, and access to Federal waters by such vessels, including such data made available under section 6883 of this title.

(Pub. L. 119–116, § 3, Sept. 25, 2026, 140 Stat. 1058.)

§ 6883. Data publication and accessibility

(a) Data on fishing and recreational vessels in exclusive economic zoneNot later than 4 years after September 25, 2026, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Science and Technology of the National Marine Fisheries Service, and to the maximum extent practicable, shall make available on a publicly accessible website geographic information system data that—

(1) includes, with respect to the exclusive economic zone—

(A) information with respect to the conditions under which fishing restrictions are imposed and the areas within the exclusive economic zone that are open or closed to recreational boating, diving, and related recreational activities (as determined by the Secretary), including for safety reasons such as because of the presence of harmful algal blooms;

(B) the areas of the exclusive economic zone with restrictions on the use of motorized propulsion, horsepower, or fuel by or of recreational vessels; and

(2) describes the geographic boundaries of areas where fishing restrictions occur; and

(3)

(A) identifies Federal marine protected areas, including National Marine Sanctuaries, national marine monuments, and other federally protected waters; and

(B) includes information on what fishing, recreational boating, and other related recreational activities are authorized in each such area.

(b) Data on navigation within exclusive economic zone

(1) In generalThe Secretary shall continue to make available digitized geographic information system data that includes, with respect to access to the exclusive economic zone—

(A) navigation information;

(B) bathymetric information;

(D) other information, consistent with law and policy.

(2) Website

(c) Data accessibilityThe Secretary shall ensure that the website on which the Secretary makes the data described in subsections (a) and (b) available—

(1) organizes that data so that the data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable; and

(2) includes a mechanism by which users can be easily updated when new data becomes available.

(d) Public commentThe Secretary shall develop—

(1) a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data described in subsections (a) and (b) and the accessibility of that data under subsection (c); and

(2) methods to improve the accessibility of data.

(e) UpdatesThe Secretary shall update—

(1) the data described in subsections (a)(1) and (b) not less frequently than 2 times each year; and

(2) the data described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) in real time.

(f) Nondisclosure of certain informationThe Secretary may not, consistent with applicable law and policy, disclose, in any geographic information system data made publicly available under this section—

(1) information regarding the nature, location, character, or ownership of historic, paleontological, cultural, or archaeological resources; or

(2) commercial fishing information, including proprietary information.

(g) Treatment of Tribal waters and fishing areas

(Pub. L. 119–116, § 4, Sept. 25, 2026, 140 Stat. 1058.)

§ 6884. Cooperation and coordination

(a) Community partners and third-party providersFor purposes of carrying out this chapter, the Secretary may—

(1) coordinate and partner with non-Federal entities, including—

(A) States;

(B) Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations;

(D) Regional Ocean Partnerships (as defined in section 1468 of this title);

(E) experts in data science, analytics, and operations research;

(F) the private sector, including technology or geospatial data industries;

(G) nonprofit organizations; and

(H) institutions of higher education (as defined in section 201 

(2) enter into agreements with experts within entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (H) of paragraph (1) to carry out any of the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Interagency coordination

(Pub. L. 119–116, § 5, Sept. 25, 2026, 140 Stat. 1059.)

§ 6885. Rule of construction

Nothing in this chapter may be construed—

(1) to modify or alter the definition of the term “navigable waters” under any provision of Federal law;

(2) to affect the jurisdiction or authority of Federal or State agencies to regulate navigable waters;

(3) to increase or diminish the responsibility or authority of Federal or State agencies or Indian Tribes to manage fisheries under existing law;

(4) to satisfy any requirement for government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations; or

(5) to affect or modify any treaty or other right of any Indian Tribe.

(Pub. L. 119–116, § 6, Sept. 25, 2026, 140 Stat. 1060.)