Which agency enforced the 200-mile offshore fishing zone under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976?

• A. Coast Guard
• B. Navy
• C. NOAA
• D. FBI

Answer: (A)

Enforcement of the 200-mile offshore fishing zone is handled by the Coast Guard. This zone, created by the act to protect fish stocks, requires maritime law enforcement in which the Coast Guard has the authority to board vessels, inspect gear and catches, and enforce licenses, quotas, and other fishing rules within the exclusive economic zone. NOAA Fisheries sets the management rules and conducts stock assessments, and works with the Coast Guard to ensure compliance, but the actual enforcement actions come from the Coast Guard. The Navy may assist in certain operations, but it isn’t the primary enforcer, and the FBI handles other federal crimes. So the Coast Guard is the agency enforcing the 200-mile offshore fishing zone.