---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1882"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1882"
heading: "Fisheries systems research"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1882"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Fishery Conservation and Management"
  - "Subchapter V — Fishery Monitoring and Research"
---

# §1882. Fisheries systems research

- (a) **Establishment of panel—** Not later than 180 days after October 11, 1996, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) shall establish an advisory panel under this chapter to develop recommendations to expand the application of ecosystem principles in [fishery](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) [conservation and management](/usc/16/1802.md?p=5) activities.
- (b) **Panel membership—** The advisory panel shall consist of not more than 20 individuals and include—
  - (1) individuals with expertise in the structures, functions, and physical and biological characteristics of ecosystems; and
  - (2) representatives from the [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8), [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), [fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=16) industry, conservation organizations, or others with expertise in the management of marine resources.
- (c) **Recommendations—** Prior to selecting advisory panel members, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) shall, with respect to panel members described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1), solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences.
- (d) **Report—** Within 2 years after October 11, 1996, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) shall submit to the Congress a completed report of the panel established under this section, which shall include—
  - (1) an analysis of the extent to which ecosystem principles are being applied in [fishery](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) [conservation and management](/usc/16/1802.md?p=5) activities, including research activities;
  - (2) proposed actions by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) and by the Congress that should be undertaken to expand the application of ecosystem principles in [fishery](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) [conservation and management](/usc/16/1802.md?p=5); and
  - (3) such other information as may be appropriate.
- (e) **Procedural matter—** The advisory panel established under this section shall be deemed an advisory panel under [section 1852(g) of this title](/usc/16/1852.md?p=g).
- (f) **Regional ecosystem research—**
  - (1) **Study—** Within 180 days after January 12, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39), in consultation with the [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8), shall undertake and complete a study on the [state](/usc/16/1802.md?p=40) of the science for advancing the concepts and integration of ecosystem considerations in regional [fishery](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) management. The study should build upon the recommendations of the advisory panel and include—
    - (A) recommendations for scientific data, information and technology requirements for understanding ecosystem processes, and methods for integrating such information from a variety of federal,[^1] [state](/usc/16/1802.md?p=40),[^1] and regional sources;
    - (B) recommendations for processes for incorporating broad stake holder participation;
    - (C) recommendations for processes to account for effects of environmental variation on [fish](/usc/16/1802.md?p=12) stocks and [fisheries](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13); and
    - (D) a description of existing and developing [council](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8) efforts to implement ecosystem approaches, including lessons learned by the [councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8).
  - (2) **Agency technical advice and assistance, regional pilot programs—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) is authorized to provide necessary technical advice and assistance, including grants, to the [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8) for the development and design of regional pilot programs that build upon the recommendations of the advisory panel and, when completed, the study.

## Footnotes

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

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–265, title IV, § 406, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 361; Pub. L. 95–354, § 1, Aug. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 519; Pub. L. 96–61, § 1, Aug. 15, 1979, 93 Stat. 407; Pub. L. 97–453, § 14(a), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2492; Pub. L. 99–659, title I, § 111(a), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3715; Pub. L. 101–627, title I, § 119, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4459; Pub. L. 104–297, title II, § 207(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3612; Pub. L. 109–479, title II, § 210, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3617.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

October 11, 1996, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original “the date of enactment of this Act”, which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–297, which amended this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

### Amendments

2007—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–479 added subsec. (f).

1996—Pub. L. 104–297 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, section authorized appropriations to carry out this chapter for fiscal year ending June 30, 1976 to fiscal year ending September 30, 1993.

1990—Pars. (16) to (19). Pub. L. 101–627 added pars. (16) to (19).

1986—Pars. (12) to (15). Pub. L. 99–659 added pars. (12) to (15).

1983—Pars. (9) to (11). Pub. L. 97–453 added pars. (9) to (11).

1979—Pars. (6) to (8). Pub. L. 96–61 added pars. (6) to (8).

1978—Par. (5). Pub. L. 95–354 added par. (5).