FISH 6510 Legislations

1918 Lacey Act (amended 1981)

Prohibits interstate commerce and movement of illegally taken plant or animal species.

Effectively "gave teeth" to state and international anti-poaching laws.

1926 Black Bass Act

Prohibits interstate commerce of black basses (Micropterus spp.), but is applied to all recreational game fishes.

Ended commercial fisheries and aquaculture for food of predatory game fishes until late 20th c.

1950 Dingell-Johnson Act (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act)

Provides a source of funding for fisheries research via sporting good excise tax.

Led to large expansion of fisheries research.

Fishy sister of 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act (Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act)

1969 U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Dictates that development be evaluated as to environmental impact.

Gave natural resource managers influence in policy decisions that impact species' habitats.

1970 Amendments to the Canadian Fisheries Act

Similar to NEPA (development must be evaluated for potential environmental impact), but even more broad.

1972 Clean Water Act

Goal of zero pollutant discharge.

Burden of proof is placed on the polluters.

1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Dictated that species at risk of extinction be protected.

Listed species must have recovery plan, which upped responsibilities of population managers - Need to have accurate population assessment and understand species' life history and habitat requirements to create protection and management plans.

1976 Magnuson-Stevens Act (reauthorized in 2007)

Extended US jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles and established 8 regional fishery management councils.

5 goals of the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Act

1. Prevent overfishing

2. Rebuild overfished stocks

3. Increase long-term economic + social benefits

4. Ensure safe + sustainable supply of seafood

5. Protect areas of critical species habitat (spawning, breeding, feeding)

1985 Wallop-Breaux Act (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act)

Expanded which sporting goods have an excise tax - direct extension of 1950 Dingell-Johnson Act.

Now includes boat gas and some other things.