§971. Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter-

(1) The term "Convention" means the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, signed at Rio de Janeiro May 14, 1966, including any amendments or protocols which are or become effective for the United States.

(2) The term "Commission" means the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas provided for in article III of the Convention.

(3) The term "Council" means the Council established within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas pursuant to article V of the Convention.

(4) The term "fisheries zone" means the waters included within a zone contiguous to the territorial sea of the United States, of which the inner boundary is a line coterminous with the seaward boundary of each coastal State, and the outer boundary is a line drawn in such a manner that each point on it is two hundred nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured; or similar zones established by other parties to the Convention to the extent that such zones are recognized by the United States.

(5) The term "fishing" means the catching, taking, or fishing for or the attempted catching, taking, or fishing for any species of fish covered by the Convention, or any activities in support thereof.

(6) The term "fishing vessel" means any vessel engaged in catching fish or processing or transporting fish loaded on the high seas, or any vessel outfitted for such activities.

(7) The term "Panel" means any panel established by the Commission pursuant to article VI of the Convention.

(8) The term "person" means every individual, partnership, corporation, and association subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(9) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce.

(10) The term "State" includes each of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

( Pub. L. 94–70, §2, Aug. 5, 1975, 89 Stat. 385 ; Pub. L. 94–265, title IV, §405(a), Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 361 ; Pub. L. 95–33, §2, May 26, 1977, 91 Stat. 173 .)

Amendments

1977-Par. (4). Pub. L. 95–33 struck out the comma between "zone" and "contiguous", substituted "two hundred" for "200", and substituted a semicolon for a comma after "is measured".

1976-Par. (4). Pub. L. 94–265, which directed the substitution of "the waters included within a zone, contiguous to the territorial sea of the United States, of which the inner boundary is a line coterminous with the seaward boundary of each coastal state, and the outer boundary is a line drawn in such a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured," for "the fisheries zone established pursuant to the Act of October 14, 1966 (80 Stat. 908 ; 16 U.S.C. 1091–1094)", was executed by making the substitution for "the entire zone established by the United States under the Act of October 14, 1966 (80 Stat. 908; 16 U.S.C. 1091–1094)", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Section 405(b) of Pub. L. 94–265 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect March 1, 1977."

Short Title

Section 1 of Pub. L. 94–70 provided: "That this Act [enacting this chapter and provisions set out below] may be cited as the 'Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975'."

Separability

Section 11 of Pub. L. 94–70 provided that: "If any provision of this Act [this chapter] or the application of such provision to any circumstance or persons shall be held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and the applicability of such provision to other circumstances or persons shall not be affected thereby."

Territorial Sea of United States

For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.