Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association

Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association

  • Federal Fisheries

Federal Fisheries

The Magnuson Stevens Act

The U.S. Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1976. It enabled the U.S. to control waters up to 200 miles off its shores, waters that were once heavily fished by foreign fleets. The act also established a federal management system for fishing between 3 and 200 nautical miles from shore. States continue to regulate activities from the coast to 3 nautical miles and must coordinate their activities with the federal management.

The Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) amended the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 1996. The SFA was a landmark piece of legislation containing strict mandates to stop overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, minimize bycatch and protect essential fish habitat. SFA continues to serve as the rulebook for domestic fisheries management.

One of the most novel features of the Magnuson-Stevens Act was its intent to maximize and encourage local-level participation and representative democracy. Eight regional fishery management councils were implemented in the following geographic areas: New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Pacific, North Pacific and Western Pacific.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act involves power sharing arrangements between regional management councils and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the home agency to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Each council is responsible for writing and revising fishery management plans (FMPs) and making informed decisions as to how the FMPs should be implemented. NMFS provides scientific advice and reviews plans to ensure that they meet the legal obligations set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Department of Commerce has the ultimate decision in plan approval. Approved plans are put into action by NMFS and enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Congress oversees the fishery management process through reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and designation of funds for the regional councils, the NMFS and the Coast Guard.

The Fisheries Management Process

Department of Commerce

Secretary of Commerce: Carlos M. Gutierrez
Among many of its roles, the Department of Commerce supports environmental and economic health for American communities. The Department, therefore, approves all FMPs and assures that all plans are in the best interest of resource harvesters and the marine environment.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Administrator: Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for all national weather and climate forecasting, monitoring and archiving of ocean and atmospheric data, coastal zone management, mapping/charting of all U.S. waters and management of marine fisheries and mammals. It also controls research and development for each of the aforementioned areas.

National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA Fisheries

Administrator: Dr. William Hogarth
National Marine Fisheries Service administers the NOAA programs that encourage domestic and international conservation and management of living marine resources. It provides services and products to support domestic and international fisheries management operations, fisheries development, trade and industry activities, enforcement plans, protected species and habitat conservation and scientific/technical aspects of NOAA’s marine fisheries programs.

Eight Regional Management Councils

Each council has approximately 18 voting members including fishermen, environmentalists, a National Marine Fisheries Service representative, a state representative, a lawyer and other appropriate persons involved in the care, use or management of commercial marine resources. The councils create plans to manage the fisheries in their specific region.



Committees

Councils are guided by
Advisory Panels
Public Comment
A mandated public comment period provides concerned fishermen and the general public with the opportunity to give feedback into the fisheries management process. Historically, fisheries management has been a top heavy, top-down hierarchy. However, thanks to comments, letters and phone calls generated by the public, there exists the possibility for change. With the help of fishermen’s associations, environmental groups, resource managers and policy makers, the system can be converted into a community based bottom-up form of management, where all parties work together to create viable, ecologically sensible management objectives and solutions.

Last updated: September 8, 2005

Today's Catch


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Fishermen's Emergency Relief Fund: 508-951-2809
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Check Out NOAA's Marine Debris Program to see where you can dispose of old or derelict fishing gear at no cost. Returned fishing gear will be used at Covanta Energy Corporation's Energy-from-Waste facilities to create clean, renewable energy.

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See the boats unload and visit the Hosts at the Chatham Fish Pier!

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HAVE YOU CAUGHT A TAGGED HADDOCK OR COD?

Report the tagged fish and receive a prize!

If you catch a haddock or cod with a tag:

  • Record
Tag #
Fish length
Spawning condition
Date and time
Location
Water depth and temperature
Gear used
Fate of fish (released or landed)

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