§757g. Striped bass population studies

(a) Conduct and scope of studies

The Secretary shall cooperate with States and other non-Federal interests in conducting scientific studies of the anadromous stocks of Atlantic striped bass. These studies shall include, but not be limited to-

(1) estimates of recruitment, spawning potential, mortality rates, stock composition of coastal fisheries, and other population parameters;

(2) investigations of factors affecting abundance of striped bass, including analyses of the extent and causes of mortality at successive life stages; and

(3) monitoring population abundance and age and sex composition of striped bass stocks on fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data.

(b) Annual reports to Congress respecting progress and findings of studies; report recommendations

The Secretary shall make annual reports to the Congress concerning the progress and findings of the studies conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Such reports shall, where appropriate, contain recommendations of actions which could be taken to improve the population of striped bass.

(c) Implementation of conduct of studies

For purposes of conducting the studies required by this section, the Secretary may enter into agreements with States and other non-Federal interests in accordance with the provisions of section 757a of this title or he may carry out such studies directly, as he deems appropriate: Provided, That any agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection shall be effective only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts.

(d) Funding of studies

There are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out the studies described in subsection (a) of this section not to exceed $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. Funds authorized to be appropriated by this subsection are in addition to any funds authorized by section 757d of this title which may be used for projects involving or affecting striped bass.

(Pub. L. 89–304, §7, as added Pub. L. 96–118, §4, Nov. 16, 1979, 93 Stat. 859 ; amended Pub. L. 97–453, §14(b)(3), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2492 ; Pub. L. 98–613, §10(a), Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3190 ; Pub. L. 99–432, §6, Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 990 ; Pub. L. 100–589, §3, Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 2984 ; Pub. L. 102–130, §3, Oct. 17, 1991, 105 Stat. 626 .)

Amendments

1991-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–130, §3(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: "The Secretary shall cooperate with States and other non-Federal interests in conducting studies of-

"(1) the size and distribution of the population of striped bass (Morone saxatilis), including, but not limited to, studies to determine the amount and geographical location of annual spawning; and

"(2) the factors responsible for the decline in the number of striped bass that are available to the public for recreational and commercial use, including, but not limited to-

"(A) analyses of the extent and causes of mortality at successive stages in the life cycle of striped bass,

"(B) a determination of the effects of pollution on the viability and condition of eggs and larval fish, and

"(C) a survey of the economic importance of recreational and commercial striped bass fisheries."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–130, §3(b), substituted "1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994" for "1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991" and struck out at end "If the Secretary considers that the studies described in subsection (a) of this section should be continued after September 30, 1982, the Secretary shall inform the Congress in writing before February 15, 1981, of the reasons why and for how long such continuation is believed to be warranted."

1988-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–589 substituted "each of the fiscal years 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991" for "the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, not to exceed $1,750,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, not to exceed $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, and not to exceed $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1983, September 30, 1984, September 30, 1985, September 30, 1986, September 30, 1987, and September 30, 1988".

1986-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–432 substituted "September 30, 1986, September 30, 1987, and September 30, 1988" for "and September 30, 1986".

1984-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–613 substituted "September 30, 1984, September 30, 1985, and September 30, 1986" for "and September 30, 1984".

1983-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–453 struck out "and" after "September 30, 1981,", and inserted ", and not to exceed $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1983, and September 30, 1984".

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 757a, 757b, 757c, 757d, 757e, 757f, 1225 of this title.