---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 15102"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "15102"
heading: "National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/15102"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part K — National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees"
  - "Chapter 151 — National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees"
---

# §15102. National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee

- (a) **Establishment.—** There is established a National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).
- (b) **Function.—** The Committee shall—
  - (1) advise and provide recommendations in writing to the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) on matters relating to the safe operation of vessels to which [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title applies, including the matters of—
    - (A) navigation safety;
    - (B) safety equipment and procedures;
    - (C) marine insurance;
    - (D) vessel design, construction, maintenance, and operation; and
    - (E) personnel qualifications and training;
  - (2) review regulations proposed under [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title (during preparation of the regulations); and
  - (3) review marine casualties and investigations of vessels covered by [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title and make recommendations to the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) to improve safety and reduce vessel casualties.
- (c) **Membership.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The Committee shall consist of 18 members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) in accordance with this section and [section 15109](/usc/46/15109.md) of this chapter.
  - (2) **Expertise.—** Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.
  - (3) **Representation.—** Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:
    - (A) 10 members shall represent the commercial fishing industry and—
      - (i) as a group, shall together reflect a regional and representational balance; and
      - (ii) as individuals, shall each have experience—
        - (I) in the operation of vessels to which [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title applies; or
        - (II) as a crew member or processing line worker on a [fish processing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=13).
    - (B) 1 member shall represent naval architects and marine engineers.
    - (C) 1 member shall represent manufacturers of equipment for vessels to which [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title applies.
    - (D) 1 member shall represent education and training professionals related to [fishing vessel](/usc/46/10101.md?p=4), [fish processing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=13), and [fish tender vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=14) safety and personnel qualifications.
    - (E) 1 member shall represent underwriters that insure vessels to which [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title applies.
    - (F) 1 member shall represent [owners](/usc/46/10101.md?p=2) of vessels to which [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title applies.
    - (G) 3 members shall represent the general public and, to the extent possible, shall include—
      - (i) an independent expert or consultant in maritime safety;
      - (ii) a marine surveyor who provides services to vessels to which [chapter 45](/usc/46/chstII/ptB/ch45.md) of this title applies; and
      - (iii) a [person](/usc/46/3701.md?p=3) familiar with issues affecting fishing communities and the families of fishermen.
- (d) **Quorum.—** A quorum of 10 members is required to send any written recommendations from the Committee to the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46).
- (e) **Savings Clause.—** Nothing in this section shall preclude the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) from taking emergency action to ensure safety and preservation of life at sea.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title VI, § 601(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4281; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], § 8335(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4706.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8335(a)(1)(A)(i)(I), inserted “and provide recommendations in writing to” after “advise” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8335(a)(1)(A)(i)(II), (ii), added par. (3).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8335(a)(1)(B), added subsecs. (d) and (e).