---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3331"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3331"
heading: "Fleet adjustment program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3331"
units:
  - "Chapter 52 — Salmon and Steelhead Conservation and Enhancement"
  - "Subchapter IV — Commercial Fishing Fleet Adjustment"
---

# §3331. Fleet adjustment program

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Commerce (hereinafter referred to in this subchapter as the “[Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)”), upon approval of a program submitted pursuant to [section 3333 of this title](/usc/16/3333.md), is authorized to distribute Federal funds to the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) of Washington (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “[State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a)”), subject to the standards, conditions, and restrictions set forth in this subchapter, for the purchase of [commercial fishing](/usc/16/3302.md?p=6) and [charter vessels](/usc/16/3302.md?p=2) (including the associated fishing gear) and licenses by the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. The Federal share payable under this subchapter shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the program.
- (b) **Legal title—** Title to any vessel or other personal property purchased under a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) program approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter shall vest upon purchase in the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a). If the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) sells such vessels or other property, title may pass in accordance with such sale.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–561, title I, § 130, Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3283.)