§ 5155. — Continuing studies of striped bass populations.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC5155]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 71A--ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS CONSERVATION
Sec. 5155. Continuing studies of striped bass populations
(a) In general
For the purposes of carrying out this chapter, the Secretaries shall
conduct continuing, comprehensive studies of Atlantic striped bass
stocks. These studies shall include, but shall not be limited to, the
following:
(1) Annual stock assessments, using fishery-dependent and
fishery-independent data, for the purposes of extending the long-
term population record generated by the annual striped bass study
conducted by the Secretaries before 1994 and understanding the
population dynamics of Atlantic striped bass.
(2) Investigations of the causes of fluctuations in Atlantic
striped bass populations.
(3) Investigations of the effects of water quality, land use,
and other environmental factors on the recruitment, spawning
potential, mortality, and abundance of Atlantic striped bass
populations, including the Delaware River population.
(4) Investigations of--
(A) the interactions between Atlantic striped bass and other
fish, including bluefish, menhaden, mackerel, and other forage
fish or possible competitors, stock assessments of these
species, to the extent appropriate; and
(B) the effects of interspecies predation and competition on
the recruitment, spawning potential mortality, and abundance of
Atlantic striped bass.
(b) Socio-economic study
The Secretaries, in consultation with with \1\ the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission, shall conduct a study of the socio-economic
benefits of the Atlantic striped bass resource. The Secretaries shall
issue a report to the Congress concerning the findings of this study no
later than September 30, 1998.
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\1\ So in original.
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(c) Reports
The Secretaries shall make biennial reports to the Congress and to
the Commission concerning the progress and findings of studies conducted
under subsection (a) of this section and shall make those reports
public. Such reports shall, to the extent appropriate, contain
recommendations of actions which could be taken to encourage the
sustainable management of Atlantic striped bass.
(Pub. L. 98-613, Sec. 6, Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3190; Pub. L. 105-146,
Sec. 2, Dec. 16, 1997, 111 Stat. 2675.)
Amendments
1997--Pub. L. 105-146 amended section catchline and text generally,
substituting provisions relating to continuing studies of striped bass
populations for provisions relating to comprehensive annual surveys.
