WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

The law › Title 16, Conservation › Chapter 38

16 U.S.C. 1802: Definitions

Created in 1976 by Public Law 94-265. Changed by 10 later laws. 1 new law this Congress changed it.

19 other sections of the Code cite this one, including 10 U.S.C. 8676b, 16 U.S.C. 971, 16 U.S.C. 971d, 16 U.S.C. 1371, 16 U.S.C. 1387.

This Congress

  • S. 1071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 · became law · changed (3)

How it got here

2022

  • Pub. L. 117–328 inserted ", or with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater," after "kilometers or more". (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023) Law text · (25)

2018

  • Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "section 2101(30)" for "section 2101(21a)". (John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019) Law text · (3)

2007

  • Pub. L. 109–479 added pars. (13A) defining "regional fishery association", (20A) defining "import", (23A) defining "limited access privilege", (23B) defining "limited access system", and (27A) defining "observer information" and redesignated pars. (1) to (45) as (1) to (50), respectively. (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006) Law text

1996

  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), added pars. (2) to (4) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (5) and (6), respectively. Former pars. (4) to (6) redesignated (7) to (9), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(2)(B), substituted "Deep-sea Red Crab—Chaceon quinquedens" for "Deep-sea Red Crab—Geryon quinquedens" in list under heading "Crustacea". (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (7)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(2)(A), which directed substitution of "Cnidaria" for "Coelenterata" in heading of list of corals, was executed by making the substitution for "Colenterata" in that heading to reflect the probable intent of Congress. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (7)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (4) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (10). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (7)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (5) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (11). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (8)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), added par. (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (11). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (9)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (6) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (12). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (9)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), added par. (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (12). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (10)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (7) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (13). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (10)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated pars. (9) to (13) as (11) to (15), respectively. Former pars. (14) and (15) redesignated (16) and (17), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (11), (12), (13), (14), (15)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated pars. (8) to (12) as (11) to (15), respectively. Former pars. (13) to (15) redesignated (16) to (18), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (11), (12), (13), (14), (15)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), added par. (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (17). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (16)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (14) as (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (18). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (16)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (13) as (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (19). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (16)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated pars. (16) to (19) as (17) to (20), respectively. Former par. (20) redesignated (21). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (17), (18), (19), (20)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated pars. (15) to (18) as (17) to (20), respectively. Former pars. (19) and (20) redesignated (21) and (22), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (17), (18), (19), (20)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated pars. (14) to (17) as (17) to (20), respectively. Former pars. (18) to (20) redesignated (21) to (23), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (17), (18), (19), (20)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), added par. (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (22). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (21)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (20) as (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (22). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (21)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (19) as (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (23). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (21)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (18) as (21). Former par. (21) redesignated (24). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (21)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (21) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (23). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (22)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (21) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (23). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (22)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (20) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (24). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (22)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (19) as (22). Former par. (22) redesignated (25). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (22)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(6), substituted "of two and one-half kilometers" for "of one and one-half miles". (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (23)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (22) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (24). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (23)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (22) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (24). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (23)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (21) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (25). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (23)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (20) as (23). Former par. (23) redesignated (26). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (23)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated pars. (23) to (26) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former par. (27) redesignated (28). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (24), (25), (26), (27)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated pars. (23) to (26) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former par. (27) redesignated (28). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (24), (25), (26), (27)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated pars. (22) to (25) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former pars. (26) and (27) redesignated (28) and (29), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (24), (25), (26), (27)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated pars. (21) to (24) as (24) to (27), respectively. Former pars. (25) to (27) redesignated (28) to (30), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (24), (25), (26), (27)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(7), added par. (28) and struck out former par. (28) which read as follows: "The term 'optimum', with respect to the yield from a fishery, means the amount of fish— (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (28)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (27) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (29). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (28)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (27) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (29). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (28)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (26) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (30). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (28)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (25) as (28). Former par. (28) redesignated (31). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (28)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), added pars. (29) and (30). Former pars. (29) and (30) redesignated (31) and (32), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (29), (30)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated pars. (28) and (29) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former par. (30) redesignated (31). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (29), (30)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated pars. (28) and (29) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former par. (30) redesignated (31). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (29), (30)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated pars. (27) and (28) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former pars. (29) and (30) redesignated (31) and (32), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (29), (30)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated pars. (26) and (27) as (29) and (30), respectively. Former pars. (29) and (30) redesignated (32) and (33), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (29), (30)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated par. (29) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (33). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (31)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (30) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (32). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (31)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (30) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (32). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (31)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (29) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (33). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (31)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated par. (28) as (31). Former par. (31) redesignated (34). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (31)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), added pars. (32) and (33). Former pars. (32) and (33) redesignated (34) and (35), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (32), (33)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated pars. (30) and (31) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former pars. (32) and (33) redesignated (34) and (35), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (32), (33)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated pars. (31) and (32) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former par. (33) redesignated (34). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (32), (33)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated pars. (31) and (32) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former par. (33) redesignated (34). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (32), (33)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated pars. (30) and (31) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former pars. (32) and (33) redesignated (34) and (35), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (32), (33)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated pars. (29) and (30) as (32) and (33), respectively. Former par. (32) redesignated (35). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (32), (33)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated pars. (32) and (33) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former pars. (34) and (35) redesignated (36) and (37), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (34), (35)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated pars. (32) and (33) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former pars. (34) and (35) redesignated (36) and (37), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (34), (35)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated pars. (33) and (34) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former par. (35) redesignated (36). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (34), (35)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated pars. (33) and (34) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former par. (35) redesignated (36). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (34), (35)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated pars. (32) and (33) as (34) and (35), respectively. Former pars. (34) and (35) redesignated (36) and (37), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (34), (35)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(1), redesignated pars. (31) and (32) as (34) and (35), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (34), (35)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), added par. (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (37). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (36)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated par. (34) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (38). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (36)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated par. (34) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (38). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (36)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (35) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (37). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (36)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (35) as (36). Former par. (36) redesignated (37). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (36)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (34) as (36). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (36)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated par. (36) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (38). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (37)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated par. (35) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (39). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (37)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated par. (35) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (39). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (37)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (36) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (38). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (37)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (36) as (37). Former par. (37) redesignated (38). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (37)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(3), redesignated par. (35) as (37). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (37)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated par. (37) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (39). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (38)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated par. (36) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (40). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (38)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated par. (36) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (40). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (38)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (37) as (38). Former par. (38) redesignated (39). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (38)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(4), redesignated par. (37) as (38). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (38)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated par. (38) as (39). Former par. (39) redesignated (40). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (39)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated par. (37) as (39). Former par. (39) redesignated (41). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (39)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated par. (37) as (39). Former par. (39) redesignated (41). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (39)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(5), redesignated par. (38) as (39). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (39)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated pars. (39) and (40) as (40) and (41), respectively. Former par. (41) redesignated (42). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (40), (41)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated pars. (38) and (39) as (40) and (41), respectively. Former pars. (40) and (41) redesignated (42) and (43), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (40), (41)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(8), redesignated pars. (38) and (39) as (40) and (41), respectively. (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (40), (41)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(11), which directed the substitution of "regulated under this chapter" for "for which a fishery management plan prepared under subchapter IV of this chapter or a preliminary fishery management plan prepared under section 1821(g) of this title has been implemented", … (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (42)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated par. (41) as (42). Former par. (42) redesignated (43). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (42)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated par. (40) as (42). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (42)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated par. (42) as (43). Former par. (43) redesignated (44). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (43)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(9), redesignated par. (41) as (43). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (43)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(12), added par. (44). Former par. (44) redesignated (45). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (44)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(10), redesignated par. (43) as (44). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (44)
  • Pub. L. 104–297, §102(12), redesignated par. (44) as (45). (Sustainable Fisheries Act) Law text · (45)

1990

  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(2), substituted "and birds" for ", birds, and highly migratory species". · (7)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(3), amended par. (14) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (14) read as follows: "The term 'highly migratory species' means species of tuna which, in the course of their life cycle, spawn and migrate over great distances in waters of the ocean." · (14)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(4), added par. (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (17). · (16)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(1), redesignated par. (16) as (17). Former par. (17) redesignated (19). · (17)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(5), added par. (18). Former par. (18) redesignated (21). · (18)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(1), redesignated par. (17) as (19). Former par. (19) redesignated (22). · (19)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(6), added par. (20). Former par. (20) redesignated (23). · (20)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(1), redesignated pars. (18) to (23) as (21) to (26), respectively. Former pars. (24) to (26) redesignated (28) to (30), respectively. · (21), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(7), added par. (27). Former par. (27) redesignated (31). · (27)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(1), redesignated pars. (24) to (27) as (28) to (31), respectively. · (28), (29), (30), (31)
  • Pub. L. 101–627, §102(a)(8), added par. (32). · (32)

1988

  • Pub. L. 100–239 amended par. (27) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (27) read as follows: "The term 'vessel of the United States' means— · (27)

1986

  • Pub. L. 99–659, §112, in provisions under heading "Mollusks" substituted "Arctica islandica" for "Artica islandica" and under heading "Sponges" substituted "Spongia cheiris" for "Hippiospongia canaliculata". · (4)
  • Pub. L. 99–659, §101(a), added par. (6), redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7) and (8), respectively, and struck out former par. (8) which defined "fishery conservation zone" as the fishery conservation zone established by section 1811 of this title. · (6), (7), (8)

1983

  • Pub. L. 97–453 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), struck out "or registered under the laws of any State" after "United States", and added subpars. (B) and (C). · (27)

1978

  • Pub. L. 95–354 added pars. (25) and (26) and redesignated former par. (25) as (27). · (25), (26), (27)

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.