FINDINGS; PURPOSES; POLICY.

SEC. 101. FINDINGS; PURPOSES; POLICY.Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 1801) is amended— (1) by striking subsection (a)(2) and inserting the following: “(2) Certain stocks of fish have declined to the point where their survival is threatened, and other stocks of fish have been so substantially reduced in number that they could become similarly threatened as a consequence of (A) increased fishing pressure, (B) the inadequacy of fishery resource conservation and management practices and controls, or (C) direct and indirect habitat losses which have resulted in a diminished capacity to support existing fishing levels.”; (2) by inserting “to facilitate long-term protection of essential fish habitats,” in subsection (a)(6) after “conservation,”; (3) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following: “(9) One of the greatest long-term threats to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries is the continuing loss of marine, estuarine, and other aquatic habitats. Habitat considerations should receive increased attention for the conservation and management of fishery resources of the United States. “(10) Pacific Insular Areas contain unique historical, cultural, legal, political, and geographical circumstances which make fisheries resources important in sustaining their economic growth.”; (4) by striking “principles;” in subsection (b)(3) and inserting “principles, including the promotion of catch and release programs in recreational fishing;”; (5) by striking “and” after the semicolon at the end of subsection (b)(5); (6) by striking “development.” in subsection (b)(6) and inserting “development in a non-wasteful manner; and”; (7) by adding at the end of subsection (b) the following: “(7) to promote the protection of essential fish habitat in the review of projects conducted under Federal permits, licenses, or other authorities that affect or have the potential to affect such habitat.”; (8) in subsection (c)(3)— (A) by striking “promotes” and inserting “considers”; and 110 STAT. 3561 (B) by inserting “minimize bycatch and” after “practical measures that”; (9) striking “and” at the end of paragraph (c)(5); (10) striking the period at the end of paragraph (c)(6) and inserting “; and”; and (11) adding at the end of subsection (c) a new paragraph as follows: “(7) to ensure that the fishery resources adjacent to a Pacific Insular Area, including resident or migratory stocks within the exclusive economic zone adjacent to such areas, be explored, developed, conserved, and managed for the benefit of the people of such area and of the United States.”.