For purposes of this chapter—

(1) Antarctic Convergence

The term “Antarctic Convergence” means a line joining the following points along the parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude: 50 degrees south, 0 degrees; 50 degrees south, 30 degrees east; 45 degrees south, 30 degrees east; 45 degrees south, 80 degrees east; 55 degrees south, 80 degrees east; 55 degrees south, 150 degrees east; 60 degrees south, 150 degrees east; 60 degrees south; 1 50 degrees west; 50 degrees south, 50 degrees west; and 50 degrees south, 0 degrees.

(2) Antarctic marine living resources

The term “Antarctic marine living resources” means the population of finfish, molluscs, crustaceans and all other species of living organisms, including birds, found south of the Antarctic Convergence.

(3) Commission

The term “Commission” means the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources established pursuant to article VII of the Convention.

(4) Convention

The term “Convention” means the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, done at Canberra, Australia, May 7, 1980, and entered into force with respect to the United States on April 7, 1982.

(5) Harvesting or other associated activities

The terms “harvesting” and “harvesting or other associated activities” mean—

(A) the harassing, molesting, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, or capturing of Antarctic marine living resources;

(B) attempting to engage in any activity set forth in subparagraph (A);

(C) any other activity which can reasonably be expected to result in any activity described in subparagraph (A); and

(D) any operations at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).

(6) Harvest

The term “harvest” means to engage in harvesting or other associated activities.

(7) Import

The term “import” means to land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt to land on, bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not such landing constitutes an importation within the meaning of the customs laws of the United States.

(8) Person

The term “person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, association, and any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(9) Scientific Committee

The term “Scientific Committee” means the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources established pursuant to article XIV of the Convention.

(10) Vessel of the United States

The term “vessel of the United States” means—

(A) a vessel documented under chapter 121 of title 46 or a vessel numbered as provided in chapter 123 of that title;

(B) a vessel owned in whole or in part by—

(i) the United States or a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States;

(ii) a State or political subdivision thereof;

(iii) a citizen or national of the United States; or

(iv) a corporation created under the laws of the United States or any State, the District of Columbia, or any territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States;


unless the vessel has been granted the nationality of a foreign nation in accordance with Article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; and

(C) a vessel that was once documented under the laws of the United States and, in violation of the laws of the United States, was either sold to a person not a citizen of the United States or placed under foreign registry or a foreign flag, whether or not the vessel has been granted the nationality of a foreign nation in accordance with Article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.

(11) Vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States

The term “vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” includes a vessel without nationality or a vessel assimilated to a vessel without nationality, in accordance with paragraph (2) of Article 6 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.

Terms Used In 16 USC 2432

  • association: when used in reference to a corporation, shall be deemed to embrace the words "successors and assigns of such company or association" in like manner as if these last-named words, or words of similar import, were expressed. See 1 USC 5
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See 1 USC 8
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
  • vessel: includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. See 1 USC 3