CHAPTER 44A —ANTARCTIC MARINE LIVING RESOURCES CONVENTION
§2431. Findings and purpose
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1) the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources establishes international mechanisms and creates legal obligations necessary for the protection and conservation of Antarctic marine living resources;
(2) the Convention incorporates an innovative ecosystem approach to the management of Antarctic marine living resources, including standards designed to ensure the health of the individual populations and species and to maintain the health of the Antarctic marine ecosystem as a whole;
(3) the Convention serves important United States environmental and resource management interests;
(4) the Convention represents an important contribution to United States long term legal and political objectives of maintenance of Antarctica as an area of peaceful international cooperation;
(5) United States basic and directed research programs concerning the marine living resources of the Antarctic are essential to achieve the United States goal of effective implementation of the objectives of the Convention; and
(6) the United States has important security, economic, and environmental interests in developing and maintaining a fleet of icebreaking vessels capable of operating effectively in the heavy ice regions of Antarctica.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the legislative authority necessary to implement, with respect to the United States, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
§2432. Definitions
For purposes of this chapter—
(1) Antarctic Convergence
The term "Antarctic Convergence" means a line joining the following points along the parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude: 50 degrees south, 0 degrees; 50 degrees south, 30 degrees east; 45 degrees south, 30 degrees east; 45 degrees south, 80 degrees east; 55 degrees south, 80 degrees east; 55 degrees south, 150 degrees east; 60 degrees south, 150 degrees east; 60 degrees south; 1 50 degrees west; 50 degrees south, 50 degrees west; and 50 degrees south, 0 degrees.
(2) Antarctic marine living resources
The term "Antarctic marine living resources" means the population of finfish, molluscs, crustaceans and all other species of living organisms, including birds, found south of the Antarctic Convergence.
(3) Commission
The term "Commission" means the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources established pursuant to article VII of the Convention.
(4) Convention
The term "Convention" means the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, done at Canberra, Australia, May 7, 1980, and entered into force with respect to the United States on April 7, 1982.
(5) Harvesting or other associated activities
The terms "harvesting" and "harvesting or other associated activities" mean—
(A) the harassing, molesting, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, or capturing of Antarctic marine living resources;
(B) attempting to engage in any activity set forth in subparagraph (A);
(C) any other activity which can reasonably be expected to result in any activity described in subparagraph (A); and
(D) any operations at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(6) Harvest
The term "harvest" means to engage in harvesting or other associated activities.
(7) Import
The term "import" means to land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt to land on, bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not such landing constitutes an importation within the meaning of the customs laws of the United States.
(8) Person
The term "person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, association, and any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(9) Scientific Committee
The term "Scientific Committee" means the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources established pursuant to article XIV of the Convention.
(10) Vessel of the United States
The term "vessel of the United States" means—
(A) a vessel documented under
(B) a vessel owned in whole or in part by—
(i) the United States or a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States;
(ii) a State or political subdivision thereof;
(iii) a citizen or national of the United States; or
(iv) a corporation created under the laws of the United States or any State, the District of Columbia, or any territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States;
unless the vessel has been granted the nationality of a foreign nation in accordance with Article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; and
(C) a vessel that was once documented under the laws of the United States and, in violation of the laws of the United States, was either sold to a person not a citizen of the United States or placed under foreign registry or a foreign flag, whether or not the vessel has been granted the nationality of a foreign nation in accordance with Article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.
(11) Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
The term "vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" includes a vessel without nationality or a vessel assimilated to a vessel without nationality, in accordance with paragraph (2) of Article 6 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.
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1 So in original. Probably should be a comma.
§2433. Representatives
(a) Representative to the Commission
The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall appoint an officer or employee of the United States as the United States representative to the Commission.
(b) Representative to the Scientific Committee
The Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall designate the United States representative to the Scientific Committee.
(c) Compensation
The United States representatives to the Commission and the Scientific Committee shall receive no additional compensation by reason of their services as such representatives.
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§2434. Conservation measures; system of observation and inspection
(a) Conservation measures
(1) The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation, is authorized—
(A) to decide on behalf of the United States whether the United States is unable to accept or can no longer accept a conservation measure adopted by the Commission pursuant to article IX of the Convention, and
(B) to notify the Commission of any such decision in accordance with article IX of the Convention.
(2) The Secretary of State shall—
(A) publish in the Federal Register, if practicable, timely notice of each proposed decision under paragraph (1) and invite written public comment regarding it; and
(B) publish in the Federal Register notice of each notification made to the Commission under paragraph (1).
(b) System of observation and inspection
The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, is authorized to agree on behalf of the United States to the establishment of a system of observation and inspection, and to interim arrangements pending establishment of such a system, pursuant to article XXIV of the Convention.
(c) Communications from the Commission
The Secretary of State is further authorized to receive, on behalf of the United States Government, reports, requests, and other communications from the Commission and to take appropriate action on them, either directly or by reference to the appropriate authority.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
§2435. Unlawful activities
It is unlawful for any person—
(1) to engage in harvesting or other associated activities in violation of the provisions of the Convention or in violation of a conservation measure in force with respect to the United States pursuant to article IX of the Convention;
(2) to violate any regulation promulgated under this chapter;
(3) to ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, or have custody, control or possession of, any Antarctic marine living resource (or part or product thereof) harvested in violation of a conservation measure in force with respect to the United States pursuant to article IX of the Convention or in violation of any regulation promulgated under this chapter, without regard to the citizenship of the person that harvested, or vessel that was used in the harvesting of, the Antarctic marine living resource (or part or product thereof);
(4) to refuse to permit any authorized officer or employee of the United States to board a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States for purposes of conducting any search, investigation, or inspection in connection with the enforcement of the Convention, this chapter, or any regulations promulgated under this chapter;
(5) to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any authorized officer or employee of the United States in the conduct of any search, investigation, or inspection described in paragraph (4);
(6) to resist a lawful arrest or detention for any act prohibited by this section; or
(7) to interfere with, delay, or prevent, by any means, the apprehension, arrest, or detention of another person, knowing that such other person has committed any act prohibited by this section.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—Par. (3).
Pars. (4), (5).
§2436. Regulations
(a) In general
The Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and the heads of other appropriate departments or agencies of the United States, shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Regulations to implement conservation measures
(1) In general
Notwithstanding subsections (b), (c), and (d) of
(A) that has been in effect for 12 months or less;
(B) that is adopted by the Commission; and
(C) with respect to which the Secretary of State,1 does not notify Commission 2 in accordance with
(2) Entering into force
Upon publication of such regulation in the Federal Register, such conservation measure shall enter into force with respect to the United States.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
2 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "the".
§2437. Civil penalties
(a) In general
Any person who commits an act that is unlawful under
(b) Hearings
Hearings for the assessment of civil penalties under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with
(c) Review of civil penalty
Any person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under subsection (a) of this section may obtain review thereof in the appropriate district court of the United States by filing a notice of appeal in such court within 30 days from the date of such order and by simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to the Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General, and the appropriate United States Attorney. The Secretary of Commerce shall promptly refer the matter to the Attorney General of the United States, who shall file in such court a certified copy of the record upon which the violation was found or such penalty imposed, as provided in
(d) Recovery of civil penalties
The Attorney General of the United States may seek to recover in any appropriate district court of the United States (1) any civil penalty imposed under this section that has become a final and unappealable order and has been referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary of Commerce or (2) any final judgment rendered under this section in favor of the United States by an appropriate Court.
(e) Penalties under other laws
The assessment of a civil penalty under subsection (a) for any act shall not be deemed to preclude the assessment of a civil penalty for such act under any other law.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—
§2438. Criminal offenses
(a) Offenses
A person is guilty of an offense if that person commits any act prohibited by paragraph (4), (5), (6), or (7) of
(b) Punishment
Any offense described in subsection (a) is punishable by a fine of $50,000, or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.
(c) Offenses under other laws
A conviction under subsection (a) for any act shall not be deemed to preclude a conviction for such act under any other law.
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§2439. Enforcement
(a) Responsibility
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. Such Secretaries may utilize by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, the personnel, services, and facilities of any other department or agency of the United States in the performance of such duties.
(b) Powers of authorized officers and employees
Any officer or employee of the United States who is authorized (by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, or the head of any department or agency of the United States which has entered into an agreement with either Secretary under subsection (a)) to enforce the provisions of this chapter and of any regulation promulgated under this chapter may, in enforcing such provisions—
(1) secure, execute, and serve any order, warrant, subpoena, or other process, which is issued under the authority of the United States;
(2) search without warrant any person, place, vehicle or aircraft subject to the jurisdiction of the United States where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed or is attempting to commit an act prohibited by
(3) with or without a warrant board and search or inspect any vessel of the United States or vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
(4) seize without warrant—
(A) any evidentiary item where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed or is attempting to commit an act prohibited by
(B) any Antarctic marine living resources (or part of 1 product thereof) with respect to which such an act is committed,
(C) any vessel of the United States (including its gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores, and cargo), any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States (including its gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores, and cargo), and any vehicle, aircraft, or other means of transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the United States used in connection with such an act, and
(D) any guns, traps, nets, or equipment used in connection with such an act;
(5) offer and pay rewards for services or information which may lead to the apprehension of persons violating such provisions;
(6) make inquiries, and administer to, or take from, any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit, concerning any matter which is related to the enforcement of such provisions;
(7) in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, detain for inspection and inspect any package, crate, or other container, including its contents, and all accompanying documents, upon importation into, or exportation from, the United States;
(8) make an arrest with or without a warrant with respect to any act prohibited by paragraph (4), (5), (6), or (7) of
(9) exercise enforcement powers conferred on such officer or employee under a system of observation and inspection, or interim arrangements pending the establishment of such a system, which the Secretary of State has agreed to on behalf of the United States pursuant to
(10) exercise any other authority which such officer or employee is permitted by law to exercise.
(c) Seizure
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, any property or item seized pursuant to subsection (b) shall be held by any officer or employee of the United States, who is authorized by the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, pending the disposition of civil or criminal proceedings concerning the violation relating to the property or item, or the institution of an action in rem for the forfeiture of such property or item. Such authorized officer or employee may, upon the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, either release such seized property or item to the wild or destroy such property or item, when the cost of maintenance of the property or item pending the disposition of the case is greater than the legitimate market value of the property or item. Such authorized officer or employee and all officers or employees acting by or under his or her direction shall be indemnified from any penalties or actions for damages for so releasing or destroying such property or item. Such authorized officer or employee may, in lieu of holding such property or item, permit the owner or consignee thereof to post a bond or other satisfactory surety.
(d) Forfeiture
(1) Any Antarctic marine living resource (or part or product thereof) with respect to which an act prohibited by
(2) Upon the forfeiture to the United States of any property or item described in paragraph (1), or upon the abandonment or waiver of any claim to any such property or item, it shall be disposed of by the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, as the case may be, in such a manner, consistent with the purposes of this chapter, as may be prescribed by regulation.
(e) Application of customs laws
All provisions of law relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation of property (including vessels) for violation of the customs laws, the disposition of such property or the proceeds from the sale thereof, and the remission or mitigation of such forfeiture, shall apply to the seizures and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to have been incurred, and the compromise of claims, under the provisions of this chapter, insofar as such provisions of law are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter; except that all powers, rights, and duties conferred or imposed by the customs laws upon any officer or employee of the Customs Service may, for the purposes of this chapter, also be exercised or performed by the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, or by such officers or employees of the United States as each Secretary may designate.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
1 So in original. Probably should be "or".
§2440. Jurisdiction of courts
The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under the provisions of this chapter or of any regulation promulgated under this chapter.
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§2441. Federal agency cooperation
(a) Responsibilities
(1) For the purpose of carrying out the policies and objectives of the Convention or to implement any decision of the Commission—
(A) the Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies of the United States, shall continue to support basic research investigations of the Antarctic marine ecosystem as a part of the United States Antarctic Program;
(B) the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of State and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall design and conduct the program of directed scientific research as set forth in paragraph 2 supplemental to and coordinated with the United States Antarctic Program; and
(C) the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may furnish facilities and personnel to the Commission in order to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions.
(2)(A) The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and other appropriate Federal officials, shall prepare a plan, which shall be updated annually, for conducting the directed research program required under paragraph (1)(B) for each period of three consecutive fiscal years occurring during the period beginning on October 1, 1985, and ending on September 30, 1991. The plan shall—
(i) describe priority directed research needs for the implementation of the Convention;
(ii) identify which of those needs are to be fulfilled by the United States; and
(iii) specify the design of the research referred to in paragraph (1)(B) and the funds, personnel, and facilities required for the research, including, in particular, the need for the cost of enhanced ship capacity.
(B) In preparing the plan referred to in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Commerce shall take into account, in addition to any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate, the possibilities of securing productive results, the minimization of duplication, and the methods for monitoring and evaluating a project.
(C) The Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Congress each year the plan required under subparagraph (A). That part of the plan covering fiscal years 1986 through 1988 shall be submitted not later than October 1, 1985. That part of the plan covering each 3-fiscal-year period thereafter shall be submitted not later than the February 1 occurring before the beginning of the first fiscal year covered by that part of the plan.
(b) Consultation with other agencies
In carrying out their functions under this section, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall consult, as appropriate, with the Marine Mammal Commission and with other departments and agencies of the United States.
(c) Icebreaking
The Department of Homeland Security shall facilitate planning for the design, procurement, maintenance, deployment, and operation of icebreakers needed to provide a platform for Antarctic research. All funds necessary to support icebreaking operations, except for recurring incremental costs associated with specific projects, shall be allocated to the United States Coast Guard.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (c).
§2442. Relationship to existing treaties and statutes
(a) In general
Nothing in this chapter 1 shall be construed as contravening or superseding (1) the provisions of any international treaty, convention, or agreement, if such treaty, convention or agreement is in force with respect to the United States on Nov. 8, 1984, or (2) the provisions of any statute which implements any such treaty, convention, or agreement. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as contravening or superseding the provisions of any statute enacted before Nov. 8, 1984, which may otherwise apply to Antarctic marine living resources.
(b) Application of more restrictive provisions
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the application of provisions of the Convention, conservation measures adopted by the Commission pursuant to article IX of the Convention, or regulations promulgated under this chapter, which are more restrictive than the provisions of, measures adopted under, or regulations promulgated under, the treaties or statutes described in subsection (a).
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Editorial Notes
Codification
This chapter, the first time it appears in subsec. (a), was in the original "this Act" and was translated as reading "this title", as the probable intent of Congress.
1 See Codification note below.
§2443. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to—
(1) necessary travel expenses of the United States representatives referred to in
(2) the United States contribution to the budget of the Commission as provided in article XIX of the Convention; and
(3) the directed research program and the furnishing of facilities and personnel to the Commission referred to in
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§2444. Severability
If any provision of this chapter or the application of this chapter to any person or circumstance is held invalid, neither the remainder of this chapter nor the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall be affected thereby.
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