---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 4251"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "4251"
heading: "Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/4251"
units:
  - "Chapter 55 — Save Our Seas 2.0"
  - "Subchapter I — Combating Marine Debris"
  - "Part C — Pilot Projects"
---

# §4251. Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea

- (a) **In general—** The [Under Secretary](/usc/33/4201.md?p=10) shall establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing incentives, such as grants, to fishermen based in the United States who incidentally capture [marine debris](/usc/33/4201.md?p=5) while at sea—
  - (1) to track or keep the debris on board; and
  - (2) to dispose of the debris properly on land.
- (b) **Support for collection and removal of derelict gear—** The [Under Secretary](/usc/33/4201.md?p=10) shall encourage United States efforts, such as the Fishing for Energy net disposal program, that support—
  - (1) collection and removal of derelict fishing gear and other fishing waste;
  - (2) disposal or recycling of such gear and waste; and
  - (3) prevention of the loss of such gear.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, § 137, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1086.)