About the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA)

U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973.

U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Warren Magnuson (D-WA), 1973. Photo: Ted Stevens Foundation

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act, or MSA) is the primary law governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters. First passed by Congress in 1976, the MSA extended U.S. jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles from the coastline and established eight Regional Fishery Management Councils to manage the nation's marine fishery resources. The Magnuson-Stevens Act fosters long-term biological and economic sustainability of our nation's marine fisheries. Key objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act Include:

  • Preventing overfishing

  • Rebuilding overfished stocks

  • Ensuring long-term economic and social benefits of commercial and recreational fisheries

Congress has made significant revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Act twice; first, in 1996 with the passage of the Sustainable Fisheries Act, and in 2007 with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act.

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, U.S. fisheries management is a transparent and robust process reliant upon science and collaboration with fisheries stakeholders.

Annual catch limits are used to ensure that fish stocks can reproduce to levels that allow continuous yield year over year. Additionally, accountability measures prevent catch limits from being exceeded or mitigate overages if they occur.

Through implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the United States is ending and preventing overfishing in federally-managed fisheries and actively rebuilding stocks; all while simultaneously providing fishing opportunities and economic benefits for commercial and recreational fishermen, fishing communities, and associated businesses.

MSA Reauthorization

Congress periodically reviews the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and considers whether changes are warranted. The Councils track these activities and provide comments and testimony upon request by members of Congress. Information related to MSA Reauthorization is available at the link below.