Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976
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The Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976, also known as the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, established regional fishery management councils comprised of federal and state officials, including the Fish and Wildlife Service. It became effective March 1, 1977. It also established a 200-mile (370.4 km) fishery conservation zone authorized by international law, though this was later removed by an amendment to the law.
The missions of the management councils include:
- Protecting the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone from foreign encroachment
- Enforcing domestic fisheries law.
- Maintaining International fisheries agreements.
