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HR 1690 108th Congress House

Ocean Habitat Protection Act

Official title: To protect diverse and structurally complex areas of the seafloor in the United States exclusive economic zone by establishing a maximum diameter size limit on… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To protect diverse and structurally complex areas of the seafloor in the United States exclusive economic zone by establishing a maximum diameter size limit on rockhopper, roller, and all other groundgear used on bottom trawls, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 9, 2003 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative procedureAnimalsCommerceCompensation (Law)
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CongressCongressional reporting requirementsCost accountingDepartment of CommerceEconomics and Public FinanceEnvironmental ProtectionEquipment and suppliesEvidence (Law)Fines (Penalties)FisheriesFishery managementFishing boatsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkHabitat conservationInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLawLicensesMapsMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine resources conservationOccupational retrainingOcean floorOceanographic researchPlanningReefsScience, Technology, CommunicationsSubsidiesTerritorial waters
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 21, 2003
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Apr 21, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Apr 9, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Apr 9, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 21, 2003

Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Ocean Habitat Protection Act - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prohibit the use of bottom trawls with rollers, bobbins, tires, rockhoppers, or any other device affixed to the footrope and in excess of eight inches in diameter, for fishing that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including fishing by a U.S. vessel beyond the equivalent of the exclusive economic zone of all countries.

Permits the Secretary of Commerce or his designee to exempt from this prohibition fishing in the exclusive economic zone if the Council having jurisdiction over the area submits to the Secretary: (1) substantial evidence that the area is composed predominately of sand and mud bottom and that the prohibited devices are necessary to prevent a significant increase from rates of bycatch of non-target managed species, or to provide other significant benefits; (2) the geographic boundaries of the area; and (3) a credible and effective vessel monitoring plan of bottom trawl fishing in the area that is adopted by the Secretary.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide to the owner of a qualified fishing vessel: (1) the depreciated cost of prohibited fishing devices that are part of the fishing gear of a vessel on the date of the enactment of this Act, and are disposed of in an approved manner; (2) the cost of converting trawl nets to compliance; and (3) payment for cessation of trawling.

Requires the Secretary to provide economic assistance to the owners and crew members of any qualified fishing vessel that ceases fishing in bottom trawl fisheries and does not continue fishing in other fisheries.

Requires the Secretary to undertake a program to collect, and make available to Regional Fishery Management Councils, information and maps on diverse bottom habitats of the exclusive U.S. economic zone.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1690: Ocean Habitat Protection Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1690/
MLA
"H.R. 1690: Ocean Habitat Protection Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1690/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1690, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1690/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1690: Ocean Habitat Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1690/)
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