114 STAT. 2774 PUBLIC LAW 106-557—DEC. 21, 2000 16 USC 1822 SEC. 7. RESEARCH. The Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations authorized by section 10, shall establish a research program for Pacific and Atlantic sharks to engage in the following data collection and research: (1) The collection of data to support stock assessments of shark populations subject to incidental or directed harvesting by commercial vessels, giving priority to species according to vulnerability of the species to fishing gear and fishing mortality, and its population status. (2) Research to identify fishing gear and practices that prevent or minimize incidental catch of shgirks in commercial and recreational fishing. (3) Research on fishing methods that will ensure maximum likelihood of survival of captured sharks after release. (4) Research on methods for releasing sharks from fishing gear that minimize risk of injury to fishing vessel operators and crews. (5) Research on methods to maximize the utilization of, and funding to develop the market for, sharks not taken in violation of a fishing management plan approved under section 303 or section 307(1)(P) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853, 1857(1)(P)). (6) Research on the nature and extent of the harvest of sharks and shark fins by foreign fleets and the international trade in shark fins and other shark products. 16 USC 1822 SEC. 8. WESTERN PACIFIC LONGLINE FISHERIES COOPERATIVE note. RESEARCH PROGRAM. The National Marine Fisheries Service, in consultation with the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, shall initiate a cooperative research program with the commercial longlining industry to carry out activities consistent with this Act, including research described in section 7 of this Act. The service may initiate such shark cooperative research programs upon the request of any other fishery management council. 16 USC 1822 SEC. 9. SHARK-FINNING DEFINED. In this Act, the term "shark-finning" means the taking of a shark, removing the fin or fins (whether or not including the tail) of a shark, and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.
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