§ 2101. — Congressional statement of findings and purpose.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC2101]
TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
CHAPTER 35--ARTIFICIAL REEFS
Sec. 2101. Congressional statement of findings and purpose
(a) The Congress finds that--
(1) although fishery products provide an important source of
protein and industrial products for United States consumption,
United States fishery production annually falls far short of
satisfying United States demand;
(2) overfishing and the degradation of vital fishery resource
habitats have caused a reduction in the abundance and diversity of
United States fishery resources;
(3) escalated energy costs have had a negative effect on the
economics of United States commercial and recreational fisheries;
(4) commercial and recreational fisheries are a prominent factor
in United States coastal economies and the direct and indirect
returns to the United States economy from commercial and
recreational fishing expenditures are threefold; and
(5) properly designed, constructed, and located artificial reefs
in waters covered under this chapter can enhance the habitat and
diversity of fishery resources; enhance United States recreational
and commercial fishing opportunities; increase the production of
fishery products in the United States; increase the energy
efficiency of recreational and commercial fisheries; and contribute
to the United States and coastal economies.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to promote and facilitate
responsible and effective efforts to establish artificial reefs in
waters covered under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 98-623, title II, Sec. 202, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3394.)
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original ``this
title'', meaning title II of Pub. L. 98-623, which in addition to
enacting this chapter also enacted section 1220d of Title 16,
Conservation, and amended sections 1220, 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c of
Title 16.
Short Title
Section 201 of title II of Pub. L. 98-623 provided that: ``This
title [enacting this chapter and section 1220d of Title 16,
Conservation, and amending sections 1220 to 1220c of Title 16] may be
cited as the `National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984'.''
