RESTRICTION ON FEDERAL LOANS.

SEC. 212. RESTRICTION ON FEDERAL LOANS. Section 302(b) of the Fisheries Financing Act (46 U.S.C. 1274 note) is amended— (1) by inserting “(1)” before “Until October 1, 2001”; and (2) by inserting at the end the following new paragraph: “(2) No loans may be provided or guaranteed by the Federal Government for the construction or rebuilding of a vessel intended for use as a fishing vessel (as defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code), if such vessel will be greater than 165 feet in registered length, of more than 750 gross registered tons, or have an engine or engines capable of producing a total of more than 3,000 shaft horsepower, after such construction or rebuilding is completed. This prohibition shall not apply to vessels to be used in the menhaden fishery or in tuna purse seine fisheries outside the exclusive economic zone of the United States or the area of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Treaty.”.