Shark Conservation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5741
Sponsor: Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-04-09 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animals
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Environmental Protection
Fishery agreements
Fishery management
Fishing boats
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine resources conservation
Protection of animals
Sharks

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-09
text: 
Shark Conservation Act of 2008 - Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to list a nation in the biennial report on international compliance if the nation's fishing vessels are or have been engaged in fishing activities that target or incidentally catch sharks and the nation has not adopted a shark conservation program that is comparable, taking into account different conditions, to that of the United States, including measures to prohibit removal any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) and discarding the carcass of the shark at sea.
 
Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to make it a prohibited act to have a shark fin (including the tail) aboard a vessel (currently, aboard a fishing vessel) without the corresponding carcass. Removes provisions creating a rebuttable presumption that any shark fins on board a fishing vessel were in violation if the total weight of shark fins exceeds 5% of the total weight of shark carcasses on board.

action_date: 2008-07-08
text: 
Shark Conservation Act of 2008 - Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to list a nation in the biennial report on international compliance if the nation's fishing vessels are or have been engaged in fishing activities that target or incidentally catch sharks and the nation has not adopted a shark conservation program that is comparable, taking into account different conditions, to that of the United States, including measures to prohibit removal any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) and discarding the carcass of the shark at sea.
 
Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to make it a prohibited act to: (1) remove any shark fin (including the tail) at sea; (2) have a fin aboard a fishing vessel unless the fin is naturally attached to the carcass; (3) transfer a fin from one vessel to another or receive a fin unless it is naturally attached; or (4) land a fin that is not naturally attached or a carcass without fins naturally attached. Creates a rebuttable presumption that, if any shark fin (including the tail) is aboard a non-fishing vessel without being naturally attached, the fin was transferred in violation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6181)
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6181)
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5741.
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6180-6182)
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Ms. Bordallo moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-740.
action_date: 2008-07-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-740.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-06-04
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2008-06-04
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-04-16
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.
action_date: 2008-04-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E566)
action_date: 2008-04-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-04-09
text: Introduced in House