Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)

A federal statute that governs marine fisheries in the United States. The Act defines the role of regional fishery management councils and describes their functions and operating procedures. It also includes national standards for management and outlines the contents of fishery management plans. NMFS is the lead federal agency charged with implementation of the Act. The MSA can be found at 16 United States Code §1801 et seq.