or without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, 
personnel, and facilities of any Department, agency, or in-
strumentality of the United States, or of any State, local, 
or territorial government, or Indian tribal government, or 
of any political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign gov-
ernment or intergovernmental organization. 
‘‘SEC. 211. REGULATIONS; APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE 
WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW. 
‘‘(a) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator may issue 
such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry 
out the purposes of section 206. 
‘‘(b) RELATIONSHIP TO INTERNATIONAL LAW.—This 
title and any regulations promulgated under this title shall 
be applied in accordance with international law. No re-
strictions shall apply to or be enforced against a person 
who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the 
United States (including foreign-flag vessels) unless in ac-
cordance with international law.’’. 
SEC. 106. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS. 
Section 214, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘(2) CONSERVATION.—The term ‘conservation’ 
means the use of methods and procedures that are 
necessary to preserve or sustain native corals and 
associated species as diverse, viable, and self-perpet-
uating coral reef ecosystems with minimal impacts 
from invasive species, including— 
‘‘(A) all activities associated with resource 
management, such as assessment, conservation, 
protection, restoration, sustainable use, and 
management of habitat; 
‘‘(B) mapping; 
‘‘(C) habitat monitoring; 
‘‘(D) scientific expertise and technical as-
sistance in the development and implementation 
of management strategies for marine protected 
areas and marine resources consistent with the 
National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 
1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fish-
ery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and with respect for the 
unique scientific, technical, and management 
expertise and fisheries management responsibil-
ities of, State, and territorial fish and wildlife 
management agencies; 
‘‘(E) law enforcement; 
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‘‘(F) conflict resolution initiatives; 
‘‘(G) community outreach and education; 
and 
‘‘(H) activities that promote safe and eco-
logically sound navigation and anchoring.’’; 
(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(3) CORAL.—The term ‘coral’ means species 
of the phylum Cnidaria, including— 
‘‘(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia 
(black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), 
Gorgonacea 
(horny 
corals), 
Stolonifera 
(organpipe corals and others), Alcyonacea (soft 
corals), and Helioporacea (blue coral) of the 
class Anthozoa; and 
‘‘(B) all species of the families Milleporidae 
(fire corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid 
hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.’’; 
(3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(4) CORAL
REEF.—The term ‘coral reef’ 
means a limestone relief feature, in the form of a 
reef or shoal, comprised in whole or in part by living 
coral, skeletal remains of coral, and other associated 
sessile marine plants and animals.’’; 
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(4) by amending paragraph (5) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(5) CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM.—The term 
‘coral reef ecosystem’ means— 
‘‘(A) corals and the associated community 
of other species of reef organisms (including 
reef plants and algae) associated with coral reef 
habitat, and the biotic and abiotic factors and 
processes that control coral growth and repro-
duction in such habitat.’’; and 
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as 
paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively, and by insert-
ing after paragraph (6) the following: 
‘‘(7) RESTORATION.—The term ‘restoration’ 
means the use of methods and procedures necessary 
to enhance, rehabilitate, recreate, or create, a native, 
functioning coral reef or coral reef ecosystem, in 
part or in full, within suitable waters of the histor-
ical geographic range of such ecosystems. 
‘‘(8) RESILIENCE.—The term ‘resilience’ means 
the capacity for corals, coral reefs, or coral reef eco-
systems to recover from natural and human disturb-
ance as determined by clearly identifiable, measur-
able, and science-based standards.’’. 
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SEC. 107. NATIONAL CORAL REEF ACTION STRATEGY. 
Section 203 (16 U.S.C. 6402) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 203. NATIONAL CORAL REEF ACTION STRATEGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of the Conserving Our Reefs 
and Livelihoods Act of 2016, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and to the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives and publish in 
the Federal Register a national coral reef action strategy, 
consistent with the purposes of this title. The Adminis-
trator and the Secretary of the Interior shall periodically 
review and revise the strategy as necessary. In developing 
the strategy, the Secretary and Secretary of the Interior 
shall consult with the United States Coral Reef Task 
Force established under title II of such Act. 
‘‘(b) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.—The action strategy 
shall include a statement of goals and objectives and an 
implementation plan, including a description of the funds 
obligated each fiscal year to advance coral reef conserva-
tion. The action strategy and implementation plan shall 
include discussion of— 
‘‘(1) coastal uses and management; 
‘‘(2) water and air quality; 
‘‘(3) mapping and information management; 
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‘‘(4) research, monitoring, and assessment, with 
particular emphasis on the impacts of warming sea 
temperatures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, 
coral diseases, and invasive species; 
‘‘(5) international and regional issues; 
‘‘(6) outreach and education; 
‘‘(7) local strategies developed by the States, 
United States territories, or Federal agencies, in-
cluding regional fishery management councils; 
‘‘(8) conservation, including how the use of ma-
rine protected areas to serve as replenishment zones 
will be developed using adaptive management ap-
proaches with clearly identifiable, measurable, and 
science-based goals, in cooperation with, and with re-
spect for, the unique scientific, technical, and man-
agement expertise and fisheries management respon-
sibilities of, State and territorial fish and wildlife 
management agencies, and consistent with local 
practices and traditions; and 
‘‘(9) restoration efforts, including improving 
coral reef resilience, especially to warming sea tem-
peratures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, coral 
diseases, and invasive species.’’. 
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SEC. 108. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 
Section 206 (16 U.S.C. 6405) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 206. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘The Secretary, in cooperation with the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, as appropriate, may pro-
vide assistance to any State, local, or territorial govern-
ment agency with jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems 
to address any unforeseen or disaster-related circumstance 
pertaining to coral reef ecosystems through an Emergency 
Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account.’’. 
SEC. 109. PRIZE COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE INNOVATION 
IN CORAL REEF RESEARCH AND CONSERVA-
TION. 
The Act is further amended by inserting after section 
211, as added by section 105 of this Act, the following: 
‘‘SEC. 212. CORAL REEF PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The head of any Federal agency 
with a representative serving on the United States Coral 
Reef Task Force established under Executive Order 13089 
issued on June 11, 1998 (16 U.S.C. 6401 note), may, ei-
ther individually or in cooperation with one or more agen-
cies, carry out a program to award prizes competitively 
under section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology In-
novation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719). 
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‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—Any program carried out under 
this section shall be for the purpose of stimulating innova-
tion to advance the ability of the United States to under-
stand, research, or monitor coral reef ecosystems, or to 
develop management or adaptation options to preserve, 
sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY PROGRAMS.—Priority shall be given to 
establish programs under this section that address im-
pacts to coral reef ecosystems, and communities or indus-
tries that are in distress due to the decline or degradation 
of coral reef ecosystems, including innovative programs 
that satisfy the approval criteria listed in paragraphs (1) 
through (18) of section 204(g) of this Act, or support— 
‘‘(1) scientific research and monitoring that 
furthers the understanding of— 
‘‘(A) causes behind coral reef decline and 
degradation and the generally slow recovery fol-
lowing disturbances, including ocean acidifica-
tion and its impacts on coral reproduction; and 
‘‘(B) genetic and environmental factors 
that promote resilience to warming sea tem-
peratures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, 
coral diseases, and invasive species; 
‘‘(2) the development of monitoring or manage-
ment options for communities or industries that are 
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experiencing significant financial hardship as a re-
sult of coral reef ecosystem degradation; 
‘‘(3) the development of adaptation options to 
alleviate economic harm and job loss caused by dam-
age to coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(4) the development of measures to help vul-
nerable communities or industries, with an emphasis 
on rural communities and businesses; and 
‘‘(5) the development of adaptation and man-
agement options for impacted tourism and fisheries 
industries.’’. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES 
CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
SEC. 201. UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established 
the United States Coral Reef Task Force. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of the Task Force shall be to 
lead, coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government ac-
tions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Task Force shall 
be— 
(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State, 
local, and territorial government partners, academic 
partners, and nongovernmental partners if appro-
priate, activities regarding the mapping, monitoring, 
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research, conservation, mitigation, restoration of 
coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; 
(2) to monitor and advise regarding implemen-
tation of the policy and Federal agency responsibil-
ities set forth in Executive Order 13089 and the na-
tional coral reef action strategy developed under sec-
tion 203 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000, as amended by this Act; and 
(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the Agency for International Devel-
opment, and in coordination with the other members 
of the Task Force, to— 
(A) assess the United States role in inter-
national trade and protection of coral species; 
and 
(B) encourage implementation of appro-
priate strategies and actions to promote con-
servation and sustainable use of coral reef re-
sources worldwide. 
(d) VOTING MEMBERSHIP, GENERALLY.—The voting 
members of the Task Force shall be comprised of— 
(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, and the Secretary of the 
Interior, who shall be co-chairs of the Task Force; 
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(2) the Administrator of the Agency of Inter-
national Development; 
(3) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(4) the Secretary of Defense; 
(5) the Secretary of the Army, acting through 
the Corps of Engineers; 
(6) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(7) the Attorney General; 
(8) the Secretary of State; 
(9) the Secretary of Transportation; 
(10) the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
(11) the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration; 
(12) the Director of the National Science Foun-
dation; and 
(13) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of each of the State of Florida, the State 
of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
United States Virgin Islands, the territory of Amer-
ican Samoa, the territory of Guam, and the Com-
monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
(e) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The Task Force shall 
include the following nonvoting members: 
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(1) The member of the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council who is designated by the Gov-
ernor of the State of Florida under section 
302(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con-
servation 
and 
Management 
Act 
(16 
U.S.C. 
1852(b)(1)). 
(2) The member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council who is designated by the Gov-
ernor of the State of Florida under such section. 
(3) The respective members of the Western Pa-
cific Fishery Management Council who are des-
ignated by the Governors of the State of Hawaii, the 
territory of American Samoa, the territory of Guam, 
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is-
lands under such section. 
(4) The respective members of the Caribbean 
Fishery Management Council who are designated by 
the Governors of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
and the United States Virgin Islands under such 
section. 
(5) In addition to the members appointed under 
paragraphs (1) and (2), two current members of 
each of the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
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Council, appointed under this paragraph by the Gov-
ernor of the State of Florida. 
(6) In addition to the members appointed under 
paragraph (3), two current members of the Western 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, appointed 
under this paragraph by the Governor of the State 
of Hawaii. 
(7) A member appointed by the President, or a 
representative of the President, of each of the Freely 
Associated States of the Federated States of Micro-
nesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau. 
(f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEM-
BERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal agency mem-
bers of the Task Force under paragraphs (1) 
through (12) of subsection (d) shall— 
(A) identify the actions of their agencies 
that may affect coral reef ecosystems; 
(B) utilize the programs and authorities of 
their agencies to protect and enhance the condi-
tions of such ecosystems; and 
(C) assist in the implementation of the Na-
tional Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, the 
national coral reef action strategy developed 
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under section 203 of the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act of 2000, as amended by this Act, the 
local action strategies, and any other coordi-
nated efforts approved by the Task Force. 
(2) CO-CHAIRS.—In addition to their respon-
sibilities under paragraph (1), the co-chairs of the 
Task Force shall administer performance of the 
functions of the Task Force and facilitate the co-
ordination of the Federal agency members of the 
Task Force. 
(g) WORKING GROUPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The co-chairs of the Task 
Force may establish working groups as necessary to 
meet the goals and duties of this title. The Task 
Force may request the co-chairs to establish such a 
working group. 
(2) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL OR-
GANIZATIONS.—The co-chairs may allow nongovern-
mental organizations, including academic institu-
tions, conservation groups, and commercial and rec-
reational fishing associations, to participate in such 
a working group. 
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TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR CORAL REEF AU-
THORITIES 
SEC. 301. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION 
ASSISTANCE. 
The Secretary of the Interior may provide scientific 
expertise and technical assistance and, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, financial assistance for the 
conservation and restoration of coral reefs. 
SEC. 302. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FISHING ACCESS RE-
STRICTIONS IN STATE AND TERRITORIAL MA-
RINE WATERS. 
(a) IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT PROHIB-
ITED.—Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the 
Secretary of the Interior may not implement or enforce 
any recreational fishing, charter fishing, or commercial 
fishing access restrictions in any State or territorial ma-
rine waters within the jurisdiction of the National Park 
Service developed as part of any general management plan 
adopted after December 31, 2014. 
(b) RESTRICTIONS UNDER FISHERY MANAGEMENT 
PLANS.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as af-
fecting or intended to affect, or to in any way interfere 
with, the implementation or enforcement of any rec-
reational or commercial fishing restrictions in any State 
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or territorial marine waters within the jurisdiction of the 
National Park Service that— 
(1) are developed as part of any fishery man-
agement plan; 
(2) are developed in coordination and consulta-
tion with the fish and wildlife management agency 
of the State or territory that has fisheries manage-
ment authority over those waters; 
(3) are based on the best and most recent sci-
entific information available regarding the fishery re-
source, with priority given to scientific information 
relied upon by affected States and United States ter-
ritories for fish conservation and management in 
State and territorial waters; and 
(4) represent the least restrictive measures nec-
essary for effective fish conservation and manage-
ment that will provide the best fishing opportunities 
on a continuing basis in the affected areas of such 
area under the jurisdiction of the National Park 
Service, such as— 
(A) size limits; 
(B) possession limits; 
(C) gear restrictions or requirements; 
(D) seasonal closures; and 
(E) access permits. 
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(c) FEDERAL MARINE WATERS WITHIN THE JURIS-
DICTION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.—Nothing in 
this section shall be construed as affecting or intended to 
affect, or to in any way interfere with, the implementation 
or enforcement of any recreational or commercial fishing 
restrictions in any Federal marine waters within the juris-
diction of the National Park Service. 
(d) MARINE WATERS DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘‘marine waters’’ includes coastal waters and estu-
aries. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. STOCK ASSESSMENTS UNDER MAGNUSON-STE-
VENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MAN-
AGEMENT ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1881 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 409. STOCK ASSESSMENTS FOR FISHERIES ASSOCI-
ATED WITH CORAL REEFS. 
‘‘(a) EMPHASIS.—In preparing stock assessments 
under this Act, the Secretary shall place emphasis on such 
assessments for economically important fisheries associ-
ated with coral reefs. 
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‘‘(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—For stock assess-
ments under this section there are appropriated such sums 
as are necessary.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
in the first section of such Act is amended by adding at 
the end of the items relating to title IV the following: 
‘‘Sec. 409. Stock assessments for fisheries associated with coral reefs.’’. 
SEC. 402. LIONFISH. 
(a) ADDITION OF SPECIES OF LIONFISH TO THE 
LIST OF INJURIOUS SPECIES THAT ARE PROHIBITED 
FROM BEING IMPORTED OR SHIPPED.—Section 42(a)(1) 
of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after ‘‘Dreissena polymorpha;’’ the following: ‘‘of the red 
lionfish of the species Pterois volitans; of the devil lionfish 
of the species Pterois miles; of the Hawaiian turkeyfish 
of the species Pterois sphex; of the soldier lionfish of the 
species Pterois russelii; of the clearfin lionfish of the spe-
cies Pterois radiata; of the species Pterois paucispinula; 
of the frillfin turkeyfish of the species Pterois mombasae; 
of the luna lionfish of the species Pterois lunalata; of the 
mandritsa of the species Pterois brevipectoralis; of the 
spotfin lionfish of the species Pterois antennata; of the 
scorpionfish of the species Pterois andover;’’. 
(b) EXEMPTION FROM PERMITITING
FOR MOVE-
MENT IN COMMERCE.—For purposes of section 14.21 of 
title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, deceased lionfish 
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and lionfish products shall not be treated as wildlife re-
quiring a permit pursuant to part 17 or 23 of such title. 
(c) COMPETITIVE GRANTS
TO INSTITUTIONS
OF 
HIGHER EDUCATION AND NONPROFIT RESEARCH ORGA-
NIZATIONS.—Public Law 86–686 (74 Stat. 733) is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating section 2 as section 3; and 
(2) by inserting after the first section (16 
U.S.C. 753a) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 2. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH-
ER EDUCATION AND NONPROFIT RESEARCH 
ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT LIONFISH IN 
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE GULF OF 
MEXICO. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce, 
through the Cooperative Science and Education Program 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
conducted under this Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordina-
tion Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), and the Departments 
of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Re-
lated Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (section 101(b) 
of division A of Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681– 
50), shall award competitive grants to institutions of high-
er education and nonprofit research organizations to com-
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bat the species of lionfish Pterois miles and Pterois 
volitans, in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a grant under 
this section, an institution of higher education or nonprofit 
research organization must— 
‘‘(1) have established research infrastructure 
and proven capabilities of understanding the behav-
ior of such species and the ecosystems of the Atlan-
tic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico; and 
‘‘(2) demonstrate a clear appreciation and un-
derstanding of the biological, chemical, and physical 
aspects of such ecosystem. 
‘‘(c) ENCOURAGEMENT OF COLLABORATION.—In se-
lecting projects for grants under this section, the Sec-
retary of Commerce may encourage collaborative work 
with stakeholder groups having practical experience with 
gear, harvest techniques, and knowledge of local eco-
systems. 
‘‘(d) USE.—Amounts awarded as grants under this 
section shall be used— 
‘‘(1) for lionfish research and the impact of 
such species on the ecosystems of the of the Atlantic 
Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico; 
‘‘(2) to develop innovative technologies, includ-
ing autonomous cameras and active acoustic systems 
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appropriate for coastal environments, for detection 
of lionfish and determination of priority areas for re-
moval of invasive species; and 
‘‘(3) to develop lionfish mitigation technologies, 
including traps and countermeasures.’’. 
SEC. 403. BILLFISH CONSERVATION. 
(a) RETENTION REQUIRED
FOR EXEMPTION
FOR 
TRADITIONAL
FISHERIES
AND
MARKETS.—Section 
4(c)(1) of the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 (16 
U.S.C. 1827a(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘and re-
tained’’ after ‘‘landed’’. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS.—The Secretary 
of Commerce shall issue a final rule implementing the 
amendment made by subsection (a), not later than 45 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5771.IH
H5771
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS