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

# §973k. Closed Area stowage requirements


At all times while a [vessel](/usc/16/973.md?p=7) is in a [Closed Area](/usc/16/973.md?p=5), the [fishing](/usc/16/973.md?p=6) gear of the [vessel](/usc/16/973.md?p=7) shall be stowed in such a manner as not to be readily available for [fishing](/usc/16/973.md?p=6) and in accordance with any requirements established by the [Secretary](/usc/16/973.md?p=14).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–330, § 13, June 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 599; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8421, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1918.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60 inserted “and in accordance with any requirements established by the Secretary” before period at end of first sentence and struck out at end “In particular, the boom shall be lowered as far as possible so that the vessel cannot be used for fishing, but so that the skiff is accessible for use in emergency situations; the helicopter, if any, shall be tied down; and launches shall be secured.”