Deep Sea Coral Protection Act

Bill: 108-hr-4897
Sponsor: Rep. Greenwood, James C. [R-PA-8]
Introduced: 2004-07-22 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Animals
Assault
Biological research
Bribery
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Coral reefs
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Commerce
Ecological research
Ecological surveys
Ecosystem management
Environmental Protection
Environmental monitoring
Equipment and supplies
Federal advisory bodies
Fines (Penalties)
Fishery management
Fishing boats
Forfeiture
Fraud
Fugitives from justice
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Habitat conservation
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Law
Maps
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine animals
Marine resources conservation
Obstruction of justice
Oceanographic research
Oceanography
Research natural areas
Science, Technology, Communications
Searches and seizures
Sexual harassment
Territorial waters
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: 
Deep Sea Coral Protection Act - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to research and map deep sea corals and sponges. 
 
Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory panel.
 
Prohibits the use of mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in any Coral Management Area (CMA) and Coral Study Area (CSA).
 
Requires the Secretary to designate: (1) as a CSA any area that is located within the exclusive economic zone which has not been fished using mobile bottom-tending gear for a three-year period, is determined beyond the reasonable depth limits of such gear, or where certain data indicate the actual or potential presence of a deep sea coral and sponge ecosystem; (2) CMAs according to specified coordinates; and (3) all or a part of a CSA as a CMA if there is a deep sea coral and sponge ecosystem in such area, and the use of mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in the area would cause more than minimal and temporary damage to deep sea corals or sponges.
 
Applies the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act's civil penalty and forfeiture requirements to persons who violate this Act's prohibition against the use of mobile bottom-tending gear.
 
Urges the President to identify, with foreign entities, areas in international waters that would benefit from additional protection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-08-03
text: Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
action_date: 2004-08-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
action_date: 2004-08-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards.
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Introduced in House