---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6907"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6907"
heading: "Cooperation in carrying out convention"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6907"
units:
  - "Chapter 88 — Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention"
---

# §6907. Cooperation in carrying out convention

- (a) **Federal and State agencies; private institutions and organizations—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) may cooperate with agencies of the United States government,[^1] any public or private institutions or organizations within the United States or abroad, and, through the Secretary of State, the duly authorized officials of the government of any party to the [WCPFC Convention](/usc/16/6901.md?p=12), in carrying out responsibilities under this chapter.
- (b) **Scientific and other programs; facilities and personnel—** All Federal agencies are authorized, upon the request of the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9), to cooperate in the conduct of scientific and other programs and to furnish facilities and personnel for the purpose of assisting the [Commission](/usc/16/6901.md?p=3) in carrying out its duties under the [WCPFC Convention](/usc/16/6901.md?p=12).
- (c) **Sanctioned fishing operations and biological experiments—** Nothing in this chapter, or in the laws or regulations of any [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10), prevents the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) or the [Commission](/usc/16/6901.md?p=3) from—
  - (1) conducting or authorizing the conduct of [fishing](/usc/16/6901.md?p=6) operations and biological experiments at any time for purposes of scientific investigation; or
  - (2) discharging any other duties prescribed by the [WCPFC Convention](/usc/16/6901.md?p=12).
- (d) **State jurisdiction not affected—** Except as provided in [subsection (e)](#e) of this section, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to diminish or to increase the jurisdiction of any [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10) in the territorial sea of the United States.
- (e) **Application of regulations—**
  - (1) **In general—** Regulations promulgated under [section 6905(a) of this title](/usc/16/6905.md?p=a) shall apply within the boundaries of any [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10) bordering on the [Convention area](/usc/16/6901.md?p=4) if the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) has provided notice to such [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10), the [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10) does not request an agency hearing, and the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) determines that the [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10)—
    - (A) has not, within a reasonable period of time after the promulgation of regulations pursuant to this chapter, enacted laws or promulgated regulations that implement the recommendations of the [Commission](/usc/16/6901.md?p=3) within the boundaries of such [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10); or
    - (B) has enacted laws or promulgated regulations that implement the recommendations of the [commission](/usc/16/6901.md?p=3) within the boundaries of such [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10) that—
      - (i) are less restrictive that[^2] the regulations promulgated under [section 6905(a) of this title](/usc/16/6905.md?p=a); or
      - (ii) are not effectively enforced.
  - (2) **Determination by Secretary—** The regulations promulgated pursuant to [section 6905(a) of this title](/usc/16/6905.md?p=a) shall apply until the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) determines that the [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10) is effectively enforcing within its boundaries measures that are not less restrictive than the regulations promulgated under [section 6905(a) of this title](/usc/16/6905.md?p=a).
  - (3) **Hearing—** If a [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10) requests a formal agency hearing, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) shall not apply the regulations promulgated pursuant[^3] [section 6905(a) of this title](/usc/16/6905.md?p=a) within that [State](/usc/16/6901.md?p=10)’s boundaries unless the hearing record supports a determination under paragraph [(1)(A)](#e-1-A) or (B).
- (f) **Review of State laws and regulations—** To ensure that the purposes of [subsection (e)](#e) are carried out, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6901.md?p=9) shall undertake a continuing review of the laws and regulations of all [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) to which [subsection (e)](#e) applies or may apply and the extent to which such laws and regulations are enforced.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “than”.
[^3]: So in original. Probably should be followed by “to”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–479, title V, § 508, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3642.)