---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 7007"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "7007"
heading: "Rulemaking"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/7007"
units:
  - "Chapter 89 — Pacific Whiting"
---

# §7007. Rulemaking

- (a) **Application with Magnuson-Stevens Act—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7001.md?p=8) shall establish the United States [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) level for Pacific whiting according to the standards and procedures of the [Agreement](/usc/16/7001.md?p=2) and this chapter rather than under the standards and procedures of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ([16 U.S.C. 1801](/usc/16/1801.md) et seq.), except to the extent necessary to address the rebuilding needs of other species. Except for establishing the [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) level, all other aspects of Pacific whiting management shall be—
  - (1) subject to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and
  - (2) consistent with this chapter.
- (b) **Joint management committee recommendations—** For any year in which both parties to the [Agreement](/usc/16/7001.md?p=2) approve recommendations made by the [joint management committee](/usc/16/7001.md?p=4) with respect to the [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) level, the [Secretary](/usc/16/7001.md?p=8) shall implement the approved recommendations. Any regulation promulgated by the [Secretary](/usc/16/7001.md?p=8) to implement any such recommendation shall apply, as necessary, to all [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) and all vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States wherever located.
- (c) **Years with no approved catch recommendations—** If the parties to the [Agreement](/usc/16/7001.md?p=2) do not approve the [joint management committee](/usc/16/7001.md?p=4)’s recommendation with respect to the [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) level for any year, the [Secretary](/usc/16/7001.md?p=8) shall establish the total allowable [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) for Pacific whiting for the United States [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3). In establishing the total allowable [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/16/7001.md?p=8) shall—
  - (1) [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) into account any recommendations from the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the [joint management committee](/usc/16/7001.md?p=4), the [joint technical committee](/usc/16/7001.md?p=5), the [scientific review group](/usc/16/7001.md?p=7), and the [advisory panel](/usc/16/7001.md?p=1);
  - (2) base the total allowable [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) on the best scientific information available;
  - (3) use the default harvest rate set out in paragraph 1 of Article III of the [Agreement](/usc/16/7001.md?p=2) unless the [Secretary](/usc/16/7001.md?p=8) determines that the scientific evidence demonstrates that a different rate is necessary to sustain the [offshore whiting resource](/usc/16/7001.md?p=6); and
  - (4) establish the United State’s[^1] share of the total allowable [catch](/usc/16/7001.md?p=3) based on paragraph 2 of Article III of the [Agreement](/usc/16/7001.md?p=2) and make any adjustments necessary under [section 5](/usc/16/5.md) of Article II of the [Agreement](/usc/16/7001.md?p=2).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–479, title VI, § 608, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3647.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, which is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables.