---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1861b"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1861b"
heading: "Fisheries enforcement plans and reporting"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1861b"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Fishery Conservation and Management"
  - "Subchapter IV — National Fishery Management Program"
---

# §1861b. Fisheries enforcement plans and reporting

- (a) **Fisheries enforcement plans—** In preparing the Coast Guard’s annual [fisheries](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) enforcement plan, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall consult with the Under [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and with [State](/usc/16/1802.md?p=40) and local enforcement authorities.
- (b) **Fishery patrols—** Prior to undertaking [fisheries](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) patrols, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall notify the Under [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and appropriate [State](/usc/16/1802.md?p=40) and local enforcement authorities of the projected dates for such patrols.
- (c) **Annual summary—** The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall prepare and make available to the Under [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, [State](/usc/16/1802.md?p=40) and local enforcement entities, and other relevant stakeholders, an annual summary report of [fisheries](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) enforcement activities for the preceding year, including a summary of the number of patrols, law enforcement actions taken, and resource hours expended.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 108–293, title II, § 224, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1040.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004, and not as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which comprises this chapter.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Termination of Reporting Requirement

For provision terminating reporting requirement under this section, see section 4(b) of Pub. L. 111–207, set out as a Combination of Fisheries Enforcement Plans and Foreign Fishing Incursion Reports note under section 1828 of this title.