16 U.S.C. § 1812 — Highly migratory species

The United States shall cooperate directly or through appropriate international organizations with those nations involved in fisheries for highly migratory species^* with a view to ensuring conservation and shall promote the achievement of optimum yield of such species throughout their range, both within and beyond the exclusive economic zone^*.

In managing any fisheries under an international fisheries agreement to which the United States is a party, the appropriate Council^* or Secretary^* shall take into account the traditional participation in the fishery^*, relative to other nations, by fishermen of the United States on fishing^* vessels of the United States.

If a relevant international fisheries organization does not have a process for developing a formal plan to rebuild a depleted stock, an overfished^* stock, or a stock that is approaching a condition of being overfished, the provisions of this chapter in this regard shall be communicated to and promoted by the United States in the international or regional fisheries organization.