---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1826c"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1826c"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1826c"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Fishery Conservation and Management"
  - "Subchapter III — Foreign Fishing and International Fishery Agreements"
---

# §1826c. Definitions


In sections [1826a](/usc/16/1826a.md) to 1826c of this title, the following definitions apply:

- (1) **Fish and fish products—** The term “fish and fish products” means any aquatic species (including marine mammals and plants) and all products thereof exported from a nation, whether or not taken by [fishing vessels](/usc/16/1802.md?p=18) of that nation or packed, processed, or otherwise prepared for export in that nation or within the jurisdiction thereof.
- (2) **Large-scale driftnet fishing—**
  - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#2-B), the term “[large-scale driftnet fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=25)” means a method of [fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=16) in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, with a total length of two and one-half kilometers or more is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling [fish](/usc/16/1802.md?p=12) in the webbing.
  - (B) **Exception—** Until January 1, 1994, the term “[large-scale driftnet fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=25)” does not include the use in the northeast Atlantic Ocean of gillnets with a total length not to exceed five kilometers if the use is in accordance with regulations adopted by the European Community pursuant to the October 28, 1991, decision by the [Council](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8) of [Fisheries](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) Ministers of the Community.
- (3) **Large-scale driftnet fishing vessel—** The term “large-scale driftnet fishing vessel” means any vessel which is—
  - (A) used for, equipped to be used for, or of a type which is normally used for [large-scale driftnet fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=25); or
  - (B) used for aiding or assisting one or more vessels at sea in the performance of [large-scale driftnet fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=25), including preparation, supply, storage, refrigeration, transportation, or processing.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–582, title I, § 104, Nov. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 4903.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Sections 1826a to 1826c of this title, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title I of Pub. L. 102–582, Nov. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 4901, which enacted sections 1826a to 1826c of this title and amended section 1371 of this title. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Tables.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act, and not as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which comprises this chapter.