Opinion ID: 3037886
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Magnuson Act and Fishery Management Plans

Text: Congress passed the Magnuson Act in 1976 in order “to take immediate action to conserve and manage the fishery resources found off the coasts of the United States . . . .” 16 U.S.C. § 1801(b)(1). The statute established eight Regional Fishery Management Councils, including the Pacific Fishery Management Council (“PFMC” or “the Council”). Id. § 1852(a)(1)(F). The councils, composed of federal and state officials as well as private experts appointed by the NMFS, draft “fishery management plans” (“FMPs”), id. § 1852(h)(1), that are designed to “achieve and maintain, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery[.]” Id. § 1801(b)(4). The councils also propose regulations implementing these FMPs to the Secretary of Commerce. Id. § 1853(c). Acting through the NMFS, the Secretary reviews FMPs and their implementing regulations for consistency with the Magnuson Act, solicits public comment, and publishes final regulations in the Federal Register. Id. § 1854(a)(1)(B), (b)(1).