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HR 4897 108th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative procedure Animals Assault Biological research Bribery Congress Congressional reporting requirements Coral reefs Crime and Law Enforcement Department of Commerce Ecological research Ecological surveys Ecosystem management Environmental Protection Environmental monitoring Equipment and supplies Federal advisory bodies Fines (Penalties) Fishery management

Deep Sea Coral Protection Act

Introduced: July 22, 2004 See on congress.gov
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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 3, 2004
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Aug 3, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Aug 3, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards.
Jul 22, 2004
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 22, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Deep Sea Coral Protection Act - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to research and map deep sea corals and sponges.

Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory panel.

Prohibits the use of mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in any Coral Management Area (CMA) and Coral Study Area (CSA).

Requires the Secretary to designate: (1) as a CSA any area that is located within the exclusive economic zone which has not been fished using mobile bottom-tending gear for a three-year period, is determined beyond the reasonable depth limits of such gear, or where certain data indicate the actual or potential presence of a deep sea coral and sponge ecosystem; (2) CMAs according to specified coordinates; and (3) all or a part of a CSA as a CMA if there is a deep sea coral and sponge ecosystem in such area, and the use of mobile bottom-tending fishing gear in the area would cause more than minimal and temporary damage to deep sea corals or sponges.

Applies the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act's civil penalty and forfeiture requirements to persons who violate this Act's prohibition against the use of mobile bottom-tending gear.

Urges the President to identify, with foreign entities, areas in international waters that would benefit from additional protection.

What's happening now August 3, 2004

Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4897: Deep Sea Coral Protection Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4897/
MLA
"H.R. 4897: Deep Sea Coral Protection Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4897/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4897, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4897/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4897: Deep Sea Coral Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4897/)
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