---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 5104"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "5104"
heading: "State implementation of coastal fishery management plans"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/5104"
units:
  - "Chapter 71 — Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management"
---

# §5104. State implementation of coastal fishery management plans

- (a) **Coastal fishery management plans—**
  - (1) The [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall prepare and adopt [coastal fishery management plans](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) to provide for the [conservation](/usc/16/5102.md?p=4) of [coastal fishery resources](/usc/16/5102.md?p=2). In preparing a [coastal fishery management plan](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) for a [fishery](/usc/16/5102.md?p=8) that is located in both [State](/usc/16/5102.md?p=13) waters and the [exclusive economic zone](/usc/16/5102.md?p=6), the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall consult with appropriate [Councils](/usc/16/5102.md?p=5) to determine [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) where such [coastal fishery management plan](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) may complement Council [fishery](/usc/16/5102.md?p=8) [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k). The [coastal fishery management plan](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) shall specify the requirements necessary for [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) to be in compliance with the plan. Upon adoption of a [coastal fishery management plan](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1), the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall identify each [State](/usc/16/5102.md?p=13) that is required to [implement and enforce](/usc/16/5102.md?p=10) that plan.
  - (2) Within 1 year after December 20, 1993, the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall establish standards and procedures to govern the preparation of [coastal fishery management plans](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) under this chapter, including standards and procedures to ensure that—
    - (A) such plans promote the [conservation](/usc/16/5102.md?p=4) of [fish](/usc/16/5102.md?p=7) stocks throughout their ranges and are based on the best scientific information available; and
    - (B) the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) provides adequate opportunity for public participation in the plan preparation process, including at least four public hearings and procedures for the submission of written comments to the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3).
- (b) **State implementation and enforcement—**
  - (1) Each [State](/usc/16/5102.md?p=13) identified under [subsection (a)](#a) with respect to a [coastal fishery management plan](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) shall [implement and enforce](/usc/16/5102.md?p=10) the measures of such plan within the timeframe established in the plan.
  - (2) Within 90 days after December 20, 1993, the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall establish a schedule of timeframes within which [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) shall [implement and enforce](/usc/16/5102.md?p=10) the measures of [coastal fishery management plans](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) in existence before December 20, 1993. No such timeframe shall exceed 12 months after the date on which the schedule is adopted.
- (c) **Commission monitoring of State implementation and enforcement—** The [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall, at least annually, review each [State](/usc/16/5102.md?p=13)’s implementation and enforcement of [coastal fishery management plans](/usc/16/5102.md?p=1) for the purpose of determining whether such [State](/usc/16/5102.md?p=13) is effectively implementing and enforcing each such plan. Upon completion of such reviews, the [Commission](/usc/16/5102.md?p=3) shall report the results of the reviews to the [Secretaries](/usc/16/5102.md?p=12).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–206, title VIII, § 805, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2450.)