---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 973j"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "973j"
heading: "Disclosure of information"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/973j"
units:
  - "Chapter 16C — South Pacific Tuna Fishing"
---

# §973j. Disclosure of information

- (a) **Prohibited disclosure of certain information—** Pursuant to [section 552(b)(3) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-3), except as provided in [subsection (b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/16/973.md?p=14) shall keep confidential and may not disclose the following information:
  - (1) Information provided to the [Secretary](/usc/16/973.md?p=14) by the [Administrator](/usc/16/973.md?p=1) that the [Administrator](/usc/16/973.md?p=1) has designated confidential.
  - (2) Information collected by observers.
  - (3) Information submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/16/973.md?p=14) by any [person](/usc/16/973.md?p=12) in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
- (b) **Authorized disclosure of certain information—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/973.md?p=14) may disclose information described in [subsection (a)](#a)—
  - (1) if disclosure is ordered by a court;
  - (2) if the information is used by a Federal employee—
    - (A) for enforcement; or
    - (B) in support of the homeland security missions and non-homeland security missions of the Coast Guard as defined in [section 468 of title 6](/usc/6/468.md);[^1]
  - (3) if the information is used by a Federal employee or an employee of a Fishery Management Council for the administration of the [Treaty](/usc/16/973.md?p=16) or fishery management and monitoring;
  - (4) to the [Administrator](/usc/16/973.md?p=1), in accordance with the requirements of the [Treaty](/usc/16/973.md?p=16) and this chapter;
  - (5) to the secretariat or equivalent of an international fisheries management organization of which the United States is a member, in accordance with the requirements or decisions of such organization, and insofar as possible, in accordance with an agreement that prevents public disclosure of the identity of any [person](/usc/16/973.md?p=12) that submits such information;
  - (6) if the [Secretary](/usc/16/973.md?p=14) has obtained written authorization from the [person](/usc/16/973.md?p=12) providing such information, and disclosure does not violate other requirements of this chapter; or
  - (7) in an aggregate or summary form that does not directly or indirectly disclose the identity of any [person](/usc/16/973.md?p=12) that submits such information.
- (c) **Savings clause—**
  - (1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to adversely affect the authority of Congress, including a Committee or Member thereof, to obtain any record or information.
  - (2) The absence of a provision similar to [paragraph (1)](#c-1) in any other provision of law shall not be construed to limit the ability of the Senate or the House of Representatives, including a Committee or Member thereof, to obtain any record or information.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–330, § 12, June 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 599; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8420, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1917.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 468 of title 6, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), was amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7201(j)(2), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1686, by transferring subsec. (a) of that section defining “non-homeland security missions” and “homeland security missions” to section 102(a) of Title 14, Coast Guard.

### Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to reporting requirements and the disclosure of information.