16 USC 973g - Licenses

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 10, 2026

§ 973g.

Licenses

(a)

Issuance; establishment of procedures; designation of agent for service of legal process in license application; reception and response to process

(b)

Forwarding of vessel license application

(c)

Fees

(d)

Period of validity

(e)

Allocation system

(f)

Grounds for denial of forwarding of license application

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may determine that a license application should not be forwarded to the Administrator if—

(1)

the application is not in accordance with the Treaty or the procedures established by the Secretary; or

(2)

the owner or charterer—

(A)

is the subject of proceedings under the bankruptcy laws of the United States, unless reasonable financial assurances have been provided to the Secretary;

(B)

has not established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the fishing vessel is fully insured against all risks and liabilities normally provided in maritime liability insurance; or

(C)

has not paid any penalty which has become final, assessed by the Secretary in accordance with this chapter.

(g)

Grandfathering of vessels documented before November 3, 1995

Notwithstanding the requirements of—

(1)

section 12113 of title 46;

(2)

the general permit issued on December 1, 1980, to the American Tunaboat Association under section 1374(h)(1) of this title; and

(3)

sections 1374(h)(2) and 1416(a) of this title— 1

 So in original. The dash probably should be a semicolon.

any vessel documented under the laws of the United States as of November 3, 1995, for which a license has been issued under subsection (a) may fish for tuna in the Licensing Area, and on the high seas and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States west of 146 west longitude and east of 129.5 east longitude in accordance with international law, subject to the provisions of the Treaty, this chapter, and other applicable law, provided that no such vessel intentionally deploys a purse seine net to encircle any dolphin or other marine mammal in the course of fishing.

(Pub. L. 100–330, § 9, June 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 596; Pub. L. 104–43, title VIII, § 801, Nov. 3, 1995, 109 Stat. 395; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8417, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1916.)

cite as: 16 USC 973g