(a)
In general— The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, may issue regulations to permit and regulate Atlantic striped bass fishing in the Block Island Sound Transit Zone.
(b)
Block Island Sound Transit Zone defined— In this section the term “Block Island Sound transit zone” means the area of the exclusive economic zone north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, New York, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, Rhode Island; and west of a line connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, Rhode Island, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, Rhode Island.
(c)
Savings clause— Nothing in this section or the regulations issued under this section shall affect—
(1)
any permit that—
(A)
is issued under any other provision of law by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including a permit issued before the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(B)
authorizes fishing in the Block Island Sound Transit Zone; or
(2)
any activity authorized by such a permit.