1998 Year of the Ocean Ocean Living Resources 



National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) . 16 U.S.C. §§1431 et seq. 



The NMSA provides the Secretary of Commerce with the authority to designate and manage 

 nationally significant marine areas as national marine sanctuaries. The NMSA lists recreational 

 and esthetic qualities as among the things that might give an area special national significance. 



The NMSA's stated purposes and policies include comprehensive and coordinated conservation 

 and management; enhancing public awareness, understanding, appreciation and wise use of the 

 marine environment; and facilitating, to the extent compatible with the primary objective of 

 resource protection, all public and private uses of resources not prohibited pursuant to other 

 authorities. 



Among the factors the Secretary must consider in determining whether an area merits 

 designation as a national marine sanctuary are present and potential uses of the area that depend 

 on maintenance of the area's resources, including commercial and recreational fishing, other 

 commercial and recreational activities, and research and education; the public benefits to be 

 derived from sanctuary status, with emphasis on the benefits of long-term protection of 

 nationally significant resources, vital habitats, and resources which generate tourism. 



Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 , 16 U.S.C. §§ 773-773k 



The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 implements the Convention between the United States of 

 America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and 

 Bering Sea. The Act authorizes the appointment of Commissioners to the International Pacific 

 Halibut Commission, outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce and North Pacific 

 Fishery Management Council in regulating the Pacific halibut fishery, and provides for 

 enforcement of the Act. 



Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 1985 . 16 U.S.C. §§ 3631-3644 



The Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 1985 implements the Treaty between the Government of the 

 United States of America and the Government of Canada Concerning Pacific Salmon, signed at 

 Ottawa, January 28, 1985. It authorizes the appointment of four United States Commissioners to 

 the Pacific Salmon Commission, members of the Northern Panel, Southern Panel and Fraser River 

 Panel, and members of an advisory committee. The Secretary of Commerce promulgates 

 regulations necessary to carry out the United States' international obligations under the Treaty. The 

 Secretary of Commerce may preempt state or tribal law if necessary to fiilfill the United States' 

 obligations under the Treaty. 



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