16 USC 1827a - Prohibition on sale of billfish

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 18, 2024

§ 1827a.

Prohibition on sale of billfish

(a)

Prohibition

(b)

Penalty

(c)

Exemptions for traditional fisheries and markets

(1)

Subsection (a) does not apply to billfish caught by US fishing vessels and landed and retained in the State of Hawaii or Pacific Insular Areas as defined in section 1802(35) of this title.

(2)

Subsection (a) does not apply to billfish landed by foreign fishing vessels in the Pacific Insular Areas when the foreign caught billfish is exported to non-US markets or retained within Hawaii and the Pacific Insular Areas for local consumption.

(d)

Billfish defined

In this section the term “billfish”—

(1)

means any fish of the species—

(A)

Makaira nigricans (blue marlin);

(B)

Kajikia audax (striped marlin);

(C)

Istiompax indica (black marlin);

(D)

Istiophorus platypterus (sailfish);

(E)

Tetrapturus angustirostris (shortbill spearfish);

(F)

Kajikia albida (white marlin);

(G)

Tetrapturus georgii (roundscale spearfish);

(H)

Tetrapturus belone (Mediterranean spearfish); and

(I)

Tetrapturus pfluegeri (longbill spearfish); and

(2)

does not include the species Xiphias gladius (swordfish).

(Pub. L. 112–183, § 4, Oct. 5, 2012, 126 Stat. 1422; Pub. L. 115–228, § 1, Aug. 2, 2018, 132 Stat. 1628.)

cite as: 16 USC 1827a