16 USC - Chapter 75 - High Seas Fishing Compliance - § 5501-5509.

This Chapter provides for implementing the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas, adopted by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on November 24, 1993; and for establishing a system of permitting, reporting, and regulation for vessels of the United States fishing on the high seas.
No high seas fishing vessel shall engage in harvesting operations on the high seas unless the vessel has on board a valid permit. The Chapter also provides for the exclusion from permits of former foreign vessels which in the past have been engaged in undermining the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures; and it establishes procedures and conditions for permits to be issued. The vessel shall be marked in accordance with FAO Standard Specifications for the Marking and Identification of Fishing Vessels or with regulations issued under section 305 of the Magnusson Fishery and Conservation Management Act. According to the provisions of this Chapter, the Secretary of Commerce shall maintain an automated file of permits issued and supply information contained in the file to FAO.