253.1—Purpose.
(a)
The regulations in this part pertain to fisheries assistance programs. Subpart B of these rules governs the Fisheries Obligation Guarantee Program, which guarantees the repayment of certain long-term fisheries and aquacultural debts. This allows those debts to be placed in the same private investment market that buys U.S. Treasury securities, where interest rates are lower and maturities are longer. The Program does all credit work and holds and services all credit collateral. The Program's guarantee fee makes it self-supporting.
(b)
Subpart C implements Title III of Public Law 99-659 (16 U.S.C. 4100
et seq. ), which has two objectives:
(1)
To promote and encourage State activities in support of the management of interjurisdictional fishery resources identified in interstate or Federal fishery management plans; and
(2)
To promote and encourage management of interjurisdictional fishery resources throughout their range.
(3)
The scope of this part includes guidance on making financial assistance awards to States or Interstate Commissions to undertake projects in support of management of interjurisdictional fishery resources in both the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and State waters, and to encourage States to enter into enforcement agreements with either the Department of Commerce or the Department of the Interior.