---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1884"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1884"
heading: "Deep sea coral research and technology program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1884"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Fishery Conservation and Management"
  - "Subchapter V — Fishery Monitoring and Research"
---

# §1884. Deep sea coral research and technology program

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39), in consultation with appropriate regional [fishery](/usc/16/1802.md?p=13) management [councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8) and in coordination with other federal[^1] agencies and educational institutions, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, establish a program—
  - (1) to identify existing research on, and known locations of, deep sea corals and submit such information to the appropriate [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8);
  - (2) to locate and [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) locations of deep sea corals and submit such information to the [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8);
  - (3) to monitor activity in locations where deep sea corals are known or likely to occur, based on best scientific information available, including through underwater or remote sensing technologies and submit such information to the appropriate [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8);
  - (4) to conduct research, including cooperative research with [fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=16) industry participants, on deep sea corals and related species, and on survey methods;
  - (5) to develop technologies or methods designed to assist [fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=16) industry participants in reducing interactions between [fishing](/usc/16/1802.md?p=16) gear and deep sea corals; and
  - (6) to prioritize program activities in [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) where deep sea corals are known to occur, and in [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) where scientific modeling or other methods predict deep sea corals are likely to be present.
- (b) **Reporting—** Beginning 1 year after January 12, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39), in consultation with the [Councils](/usc/16/1802.md?p=8), shall submit biennial reports to Congress and the public on steps taken by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1802.md?p=39) to identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), including summaries of the results of mapping, research, and data collection performed under the program.

## Footnotes

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

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–265, title IV, § 408, as added Pub. L. 109–479, title II, § 211, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3618.)