High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act
Public Law 102-582 · H.R. 2152 · 102nd Congress · began in the House
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Nov 2, 1992 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA-10)
Cosponsors (63): Rep. Don Young, Rep. Jolene Unsoeld,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act - Title I: High Seas Large-Scale Driftnet Fishing - Requires: (1) publication of a list of nations whose nationals or vessels conduct large-scale driftnet fishing beyond the exclusive economic zone of any nation; (2) barring from leaving or entering U.S. ports any large-scale driftnet fishing vessel documented in the United States or in such countries; and (3) prohibition of importation from those countries of fish, fish and fish products, and sport fishing equipment.
Mandates certification under the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 of any country: (1) for which that import prohibition is insufficient to terminate such fishing; or (2) that retaliates against the United States because of that import prohibition.
Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to modify requirements regarding documentary evidence that certain tuna was not harvested with driftnets meeting specified criteria after listed dates.
Excludes from the definition of "large-scale driftnet fishing," as used in this Act, specified use, until January 1, 1994, of certain nets in the northeast Atlantic Ocean.
Title II: Fisheries Conservation Programs - Amends the Fisherman's Protective Act of 1967 to authorize, when certification is made under the Act, a prohibition on the importation of any products (currently, of fish products or wildlife products) from the offending country.
Adds references to the District of Columbia and territories or possessions of the United States to the definition of "United States" under the Act. Removes provisions defining: (1) "fish products" and "wildlife products;" and (2) the "taking" of wildlife products to include certain conduct whether or not the conduct is legal under the laws of the offending country.
Mandates a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Defense regarding increasing the effectiveness of enforcement of domestic laws and international agreements that conserve and manage living marine resources of the United States.
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the President should address environmental issues during multilateral, bilateral, and regional trade negotiations and take certain actions regarding environmental concerns and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
Title III: Fisheries Enforcement in Central Bering Sea - Central Bering Sea Fisheries Enforcement Act of 1992 - Prohbits U.S. vessels and nationals from fishing in the central Bering Sea except in accordance with an international fishery agreement involving the United States and the Russian Federation. Mandates civil penalties and permit sanctions for violaitons.
Mandates: (1) publication of a list of nations whose nationals fish in that area, except in accordance with such an agreement; (2) withholding or revocation of clearance for any fishing vessel documented in such a nation; and (3) denial of entry for any violating vessel.
Prohibits any permitted fishing vessel from fishing in, or any processing facility from receiving fish from, an area under the authority of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council if the vessel is owned by any person that also owns or controls a fishing vessel documented in such a nation.
Terminates this title seven years after enactment.
Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to modify requirements regarding imports from intermediary nations. Defines " intermediatry nation" as a nation which: (1) imports yellowfin tuna from countries subject to a ban on direct impoorts into the United States; and (2) exports yellowfin tuna to the United States.
Authorizes the Secretary of State to extend the reemployment rights of a U.S. employee who, on a specified date, was serving with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to modify the term of office of members of Regional Fishery Management Councils.
Modifies the maximum amount of fees which may be assessed to pay for implementation of fisheries research plans.
Title V: Fees - Amends Federal law to modify fees on recreational boats.
Requires each common carrier and conference to file electronically with the Federal Maritime Commission all tariffs and terms of service contracts required to be filed under specified Acts. Requires that the Commission: (1) make the information available electronically, without limitation, to any person; and (2) charge fees for computer access (including subsequent access) and electronic copies. Mandates civil fines and criminal penalties for failure to pay the fees. Requires a repayable advance to the Commission for completion and upgrading of the Automated Tariff Filing and Information System. Repeals existing provisions mandating the System and providing for related matters.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 28 actions.
- Nov 2, 1992Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 102-582.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 26, 1992PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 4, 1992Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendments to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Studds moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendments to the Senate amendment.
- Aug 12, 1992Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate concurred in the House amendments to the Senate amendments with an amendment (SP 2943) by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Amendment SP 2943 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Aug 10, 1992FloorFloor · House agreed to Senate amendment with amendments pursuant to H. Res. 548.
- Jul 31, 1992FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Amendment SP 2821 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Feb 25, 1992FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll No. 19).House roll call 19
- FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Studds moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Feb 19, 1992CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Ways and Means Committee
- Feb 12, 1992CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Ways and Means Committee
- Oct 22, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
- Oct 3, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Sep 26, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Aug 6, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- May 3, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Apr 30, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.