Weakfish Conservation Act of 1992
Weakfish Conservation Act - Requires the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to: (1) determine whether each coastal State has adopted all regulatory measures necessary to fully implement the Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish; (2) notify of each negative determination the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior; and (3) monitor each coastal State for satisfactory enforcement of the Plan.
Mandates a moratorium on fishing in the coastal waters of any State which fails to take the regulatory measures or satisfactorily enforce the Plan. Specifies acts which are prohibited during the moratorium. Provides for civil monetary penalties and forfeiture of vessels, equipment, stores, cargo, and fish.
Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to allow sums from penalties or forfeitures under this Act to be used to pay certain enforcement-related costs of the Act.
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enforce a moratorium declared under this Act.
Directs the Secretary, the Commission, and the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils to jointly issue regulations describing the best available technology for reducing bycatch of weakfish. Provides for: (1) a comprehensive annual survey of the weakfish fishery; and (2) a review of the Plan.
Authorizes appropriations.
Declares that the provisions of this Act other than the authorization of appropriations shall cease to have force and effect 30 months after enactment.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.