(C) Any other research, mapping, or sur-
vey data that the Secretary determines is ap-
propriate. 
(2) DESIGNATIONS BASED ON THE REVIEW OF 
DATA.—If the Secretary, in consultation with the 
relevant Council, determines that data reviewed 
under paragraph (1) indicates the presence of a deep 
sea coral and sponge ecosystem, the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Council, shall designate the 
area as a Coral Habitat Conservation Zone and, if 
appropriate, terminate the designation of the area as 
a Bottom Trawl Zone. 
(c) RECOMMENDATION BY A COUNCIL.—Upon the 
recommendation of the appropriate Council, the Secretary 
may consider any area for designation as a Coral Habitat 
Conservation Zone. 
(d) DESIGNATION PROCESS.— 
(1) PROPOSED
RULE.—The Secretary shall 
publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule to 
designate an area identified by the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the appropriate Councils, under sub-
section (a) or (b) or by a Council under subsection 
(c) as a Coral Habitat Conservation Zone if data in-
dicate the presence of a deep sea coral and sponge 
ecosystem in such area.
(2) COMMENT
PERIOD.—The Secretary shall 
accept comments on any proposed rule published 
under paragraph (1) for 60 days after the date of 
the publication of such proposed rule. 
(3) FINAL DETERMINATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date of the end of the comment period 
described in paragraph (2), the Secretary 
shall— 
(i) designate as a Coral Habitat Con-
servation Zone each area, or part of such 
area, included in a proposed rule published 
under paragraph (1) if data indicate the 
presence of a deep sea coral and sponge 
ecosystem in such area; or 
(ii) if the Secretary fails to make a 
designation under clause (i) for an area, 
provide a justification that explains the 
reasons that the best available data do not 
indicate the presence of a deep sea coral 
and sponge ecosystem in such area. 
(B) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall 
publish in the Federal Register each designa-
tion made under subparagraph (A)(i) or jus-
tification required under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(C) INACTION.—If the Secretary does not 
publish the designation of an area under sub-
paragraph (A)(i) or the justification required 
under subparagraph (A)(ii) for such area within 
30 days of the date of the end of the comment 
period described in paragraph (2), such area 
shall be deemed to be a Coral Habitat Con-
servation Zone as if so designated by the Sec-
retary. 
SEC. 12. STRICTER REGULATION PERMITTED AND SAVINGS 
CLAUSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act shall restrict 
the authority provided to the Secretary by any other provi-
sion of law to promulgate, with or without the advice of 
the appropriate Council, fishery or habitat protection 
measures for any purpose that are more restrictive than 
the measures set out in this Act. 
(b) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—All rules and regulations 
issued by the Secretary under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.) pertaining to the conservation, management, 
or protection of deep sea corals or deep sea sponges shall 
continue in full force and effect after the date of enact-
ment of this Act until modified or rescinded by the Sec-