§ 6909. Exclusive Economic Zone notification

Masters of commercial fishing vessels of nations fishing for species under the management authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention that do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with United States enforcement authorities shall, prior to, or as soon as reasonably possible after, entering and transiting the Exclusive Economic Zone seaward of Hawaii and of the Commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States in the Pacific Ocean area—

(1) notify the United States Coast Guard or the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement in the appropriate region of the name, flag state, location, route, and destination of the vessel and of the circumstances under which it will enter United States waters;

(2) ensure that all fishing gear on board the vessel is stowed below deck or otherwise removed from the place where it is normally used for fishing and placed where it is not readily available for fishing; and

(3) where requested by an enforcement officer, proceed to a specified location so that a vessel inspection can be conducted.

(Pub. L. 109–479, title V, § 510, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3643.)