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U U.S.C. 1851 



TITLE III -- NATIONAL nSHERY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 



SEC. 301. NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR FISHERY CONSERVATION AND 

 MANAGEMENT 



(a) IN GENERAI,--Any fishery management plan prepared, and any regulation promulgated 

 to implement any such plan, pursuant to this title shall be consistent with the following 

 national standards for fishery conservation and management: 



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(1) Conservation and management measures shall prevent overfishing while achieving, on 

 a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery for the United States fishing 

 industry. 



(2) Conservation and management measures shall be based upon the best scientific 

 information available. 



(3) To the extent practicable, an individual stock of fish shall be managed as a unit 

 throughout its range, and interrelated stocks of fish shall be managed as a unit or in close 

 coordination. 



(4) Conservation and management measures shall not discriminate between residents of 

 different States. If it becomes necessary to allocate or assign fishing privileges among 

 various United States fishermen, such allocation shall be (A) fair and equitable to all such 

 fishermen; (B) reasonably calculated to promote conservation; and (C) carried out in such 

 manner that no particular individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive 

 share of such privileges. 



(5) Conservation and management measures shall, where practicable, promote efficiency 

 in the utilization of fishery resources; except that no such measure shall have economic 

 allocation as its sole purpose. 



(6) Conservation and management measures shall take into account and allow for 

 variations among, and contingencies in, fisheries, fishery resources, and catches. 



(7) Conservation and management measures shall, where practicable, minimize costs and 

 avoid unnecessary duplication. 



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(b) GUIDELINES.-- The Secretary shall establish advisory guidelines (which shall not have 

 the force and effect of law), based on the national standards, to assist in the development of 

 fishery management plans. 



