16 U.S.C. § 5107b — Transition to management of American lobster fishery by Commission

(a) Temporary limits Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery^* Conservation^* and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), if no regulations have been issued under section 5103(b) of this title by December 31, 1997 , to implement a coastal fishery management plan^* for American lobster, then the Secretary^* must issue interim regulations before March 1, 1998 , that will prohibit any vessel that takes lobsters in the exclusive economic zone^* by a method other than pots or traps from landing lobsters (or any parts of it) at any location within the United States in excess of— (1) 100 lobsters (or parts of it) for each fishing^* trip of 24 hours or less duration (up to a maximum of 500 lobsters, or parts of it, during any 5-day period); or (2) 500 lobsters (or parts of it) for a fishing trip of 5 days or longer. (b) Secretary to monitor landings Before January 1, 1998 , the Secretary must monitor, on a timely basis, landings of American lobster, and, if the Secretary determines that catches from vessels that take lobsters in the exclusive economic zone by a method other than pots or traps have increased significantly, then the Secretary may, consistent with the national standards in section 301 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [ 16 U.S.C. 1851 ], and after opportunity for public comment and consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission^*, implement regulations under section 5103(b) of this title that are necessary for the conservation of American lobster. (c) Regulations to remain in effect until plan implemented Regulations issued under subsection (a) or (b) must remain in effect until the Secretary implements regulations under section 5103(b) of this title to implement a coastal fishery management plan for American lobster.