---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 5158"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "5158"
heading: "Protection of striped bass in the exclusive economic zone"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/5158"
units:
  - "Chapter 71A — Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation"
---

# §5158. Protection of striped bass in the exclusive economic zone

- (a) **Regulation of fishing in exclusive economic zone—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/5152.md?p=11) shall promulgate regulations governing [fishing](/usc/16/5152.md?p=7) for [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) in the [exclusive economic zone](/usc/16/5152.md?p=6) that the [Secretary](/usc/16/5152.md?p=11) determines—
  - (1) are consistent with the national standards set forth in section 301 of the [Magnuson Act](/usc/16/5152.md?p=1) ([16 U.S.C. 1851](/usc/16/1851.md));
  - (2) are compatible with the Plan and each Federal moratorium in effect on [fishing](/usc/16/5152.md?p=7) for [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) within the [coastal waters](/usc/16/5152.md?p=3) of a [coastal State](/usc/16/5152.md?p=4);
  - (3) ensure the effectiveness of [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) regulations on [fishing](/usc/16/5152.md?p=7) for [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) within the [coastal waters](/usc/16/5152.md?p=3) of a [coastal State](/usc/16/5152.md?p=4); and
  - (4) are sufficient to assure the long-term conservation of [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) populations.
- (b) **Consultation; periodic review of regulations—** In preparing regulations under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/16/5152.md?p=11) shall consult with the Atlantic [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) Marine Fisheries [Commission](/usc/16/5152.md?p=5), the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and each affected Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), and local government entity. The [Secretary](/usc/16/5152.md?p=11) shall periodically review regulations promulgated under [subsection (a)](#a), and if necessary to ensure their continued consistency with the requirements of [subsection (a)](#a), shall amend those regulations.
- (c) **Applicability of Magnuson Act provisions—** The provisions of sections 307, 308, 309, 310, and 311 of the [Magnuson Act](/usc/16/5152.md?p=1) ([16 U.S.C. 1857](/usc/16/1857.md), 1858, 1859, 1860, and 1861) regarding prohibited acts, civil penalties, criminal offenses, civil forfeitures, and enforcement shall apply with respect to regulations and any plan issued under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section as if such regulations or plan were issued under the [Magnuson Act](/usc/16/5152.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–613, § 9, as added Pub. L. 105–146, § 2, Dec. 16, 1997, 111 Stat. 2676.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 9 of Pub. L. 98–613, Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3190; Pub. L. 99–432, § 5, Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 990; Pub. L. 100–589, § 2, Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 2984; Pub. L. 102–130, § 2(c), Oct. 17, 1991, 105 Stat. 626, related to the period of effectiveness of sections 1 to 8 of Pub. L. 98–613, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–206, title VIII, § 812, formerly § 810, Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2453, renumbered § 812, Pub. L. 104–297, title IV, § 404(c), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3619. Section 812 of Pub. L. 103–206 was itself repealed by Pub. L. 106–555, title I, § 122(b)(1)(B), (2), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2766.