33 USC § 4251 - Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s4251"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 4251 - Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "4251"
section_name: "Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea"
chapter_number: 55
chapter_name: "SAVE OUR SEAS 2.0"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "COMBATING MARINE DEBRIS"
part_number: "C"
part_name: "Pilot Projects"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, § 137, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1086.)"
---


# § 4251. Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea

**(a)** **In general** The Under Secretary shall establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing incentives, such as grants, to fishermen based in the United States who incidentally capture marine debris while at sea—

**(1)** to track or keep the debris on board; and

**(2)** to dispose of the debris properly on land.

**(b)** **Support for collection and removal of derelict gear** The Under Secretary shall encourage United States efforts, such as the Fishing for Energy net disposal program, that support—

**(1)** collection and removal of derelict fishing gear and other fishing waste;

**(2)** disposal or recycling of such gear and waste; and

**(3)** prevention of the loss of such gear.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 116–224, title I, § 137, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1086.)