For the purposes of carrying out this chapter, the Secretaries shall conduct continuing, comprehensive studies of Atlantic striped bass stocks. These studies shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
The Secretaries, in consultation with with1 the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, shall conduct a study of the socio-economic benefits of the Atlantic striped bass resource. The Secretaries shall issue a report to the Congress concerning the findings of this study no later than September 30, 1998.
The Secretaries shall make biennial reports to the Congress and to the Commission concerning the progress and findings of studies conducted under subsection (a) and shall make those reports public. Such reports shall, to the extent appropriate, contain recommendations of actions which could be taken to encourage the sustainable management of Atlantic striped bass.
1So in original.
16 U.S.C. § 5155
EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS1997- Pub. L. 105-146 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to continuing studies of striped bass populations for provisions relating to comprehensive annual surveys.
- Atlantic striped bass
- The term "Atlantic striped bass" means members of stocks or populations of the species Morone saxatilis, which ordinarily migrate seaward of the waters described in paragraph (3)(A)(i).
- Commission
- The term "Commission" means the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission established under the interstate compact consented to and approved by the Congress in Public Laws 77-539 and 81-721.
- Secretaries
- The term "Secretaries" means the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior or their designees.1 See References in Text note below.