Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Deep sea coral research and technology programme

Abstract

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA) includes a requirement to establish the "Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program." Section 408 (b) of the reauthorized Act tasked NOAA with submitting, in consultation with the Fisher)' Management Councils, "biennial reports to Congress and the public on steps taken by the Secretary to identify, monitor, and protect deep sea coral areas, including summaries of the results of mapping, research and data collection performed under the program." This is the first biennial report in fulfillment of that requirement.