---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1447b"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1447b"
heading: "Regional Marine Research Boards"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1447b"
units:
  - "Chapter 32A — Regional Marine Research Programs"
---

# §1447b. Regional Marine Research Boards

- (a) **Establishment—** A Regional Marine Research [board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1)[^1] shall be established for each of the following [regions](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6):
  - (1) the Gulf of Maine [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts (north of Cape Cod);
  - (2) the greater New York bight [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) of Massachusetts (south of Cape Cod), Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, from Cape Cod to Cape May;
  - (3) the mid-Atlantic [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, from Cape May to Cape Fear;
  - (4) the South Atlantic [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, from Cape Fear to the Florida Keys, including the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands;
  - (5) the Gulf of Mexico [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, along the Gulf coast from the Florida Keys to the Mexican border;
  - (6) the California [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) of California, from Point Reyes to the Mexican border;
  - (7) the North Pacific [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) of California, Oregon, and Washington, from Point Reyes to the Canadian border;
  - (8) the Alaska [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) of Alaska; and
  - (9) insular Pacific [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), comprised of the [marine and coastal waters](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=4) off the [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

  The Great Lakes Research Office authorized under [section 1268(d) of title 33](/usc/33/1268.md?p=d) shall be responsible for research in the Great Lakes [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6) and shall be considered the Great Lakes counterpart to the research program established pursuant to this chapter.

- (b) **Membership—**
  - (1) **Composition—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall be comprised of 11 members of which—
    - (A) 3 members shall be appointed by the [Administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including 1 member who shall be a Sea Grant Program Director from a [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) within such [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6), who shall serve as chairman of the [board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1);[^1]
    - (B) 2 members shall be appointed by the [Administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) of the Environmental Protection Agency; and
    - (C) 6 members shall be appointed by Governors of [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) located within the [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6).
  - (2) **Qualifications—** Each individual appointed as a member of a [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall possess expertise, pertinent to the [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6) concerned, in scientific research, coastal zone management, fishery management, water quality management, [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) and [local government](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=3), or any other [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) which is directly relevant to the functions of the [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1). A majority of the members of each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall be trained in a field of marine or aquatic science and shall be currently engaged in research or research administration.
  - (3) **Terms—** Each appointed member of a [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall serve for a term of 4 years.
  - (4) **Vacancies—** In the event of a vacancy, a replacement member shall be appointed in the same manner and in accordance with the same requirements as the member being replaced and shall serve the remainder of the term of the replaced member.
  - (5) **Reimbursement of expenses—** Each appointed member of a [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) may be paid actual travel expenses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when away from the member’s usual place of residence, in accordance with [section 5703 of title 5](/usc/5/5703.md), when engaged in the actual performance of [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) duties.
- (c) **Functions—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter—
  - (1) develop and submit to the [Administrators](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency a marine research plan, including periodic amendments thereto, that meets the requirements of [section 1447c of this title](/usc/16/1447c.md);
  - (2) provide a forum for coordinating research among research institutions and agencies;
  - (3) provide for review and comment on research plans by affected users and interests, such as the commercial and recreational fishing industries, other marine industries, [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) and [local government](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=3) entities, and environmental organizations;
  - (4) ensure that the highest quality of research [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) will be conducted to carry out the comprehensive plan; and
  - (5) prepare, for submission to Congress, a periodic report on the marine environmental research issues and activities within the [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6) in accordance with [section 1447e of this title](/usc/16/1447e.md).
- (d) **Powers—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall be authorized to—
  - (1) cooperate with [Federal agencies](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=2), with [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) and with [local government](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=3) entities, interstate and regional agencies, other public agencies and authorities, nonprofit institutions, laboratories, and organizations, or other appropriate [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), in the preparation and support of marine research in the [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6);
  - (2) enter into contracts, cooperative agreements or grants to [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) and local governmental entities, other public agencies or institutions, and non-profit institutions and organizations for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this chapter;
  - (3) collect and make available through publications and other appropriate means, the results of, and other information pertaining to, the research conducted in the [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6);
  - (4) call conferences on regional marine research and assessment issues, giving opportunity for interested [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) to be heard and present papers at such conferences;
  - (5) develop and stimulate, in consultation with the Department of State, joint marine research [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) with foreign nations;
  - (6) utilize facilities and personnel of existing [Federal agencies](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=2), including scientific laboratories and research facilities;
  - (7) accept, and for all general purposes of this Act, utilize funds from other sources, including but not limited to [State](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=7) and local funds, university funds, and donations; and
  - (8) [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) secret processes, inventions, patent applications, patents, licenses, and property rights, by purchase, license, lease, or donation.
- (e) **Administration—**
  - (1) **Practices and procedures—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall determine its organization, and prescribe its practices and procedures for carrying out its functions under this chapter. Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) should use existing research administrative capability to the extent practicable.
  - (2) **Committees and subcommittees—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall establish such committees and subcommittees as are appropriate in the performance of its functions.
  - (3) **Staff and support—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) is authorized to hire such staff as are necessary to carry out the functions of the [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1).
- (f) **Termination—** Each [Board](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=1) shall cease to exist on October 1, 1999, unless extended by Congress.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–532, title IV, § 403, as added Pub. L. 101–593, title III, § 301, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2964.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(7), means Pub. L. 92–532, which enacted this chapter, chapter 32 (§ 1431 et seq.) of this title, and chapters 27 (§ 1401 et seq.) and 41 (§ 2801 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.