Which statement accurately describes the PFMC's management jurisdiction?

• A. PFMC mainly manages state waters
• B. State waters are sometimes considered federal
• C. PFMC mainly manages federal waters
• D. Federal waters are managed by international organizations

Answer: (C)

PFMC's jurisdiction centers on federal waters within its region—the exclusive economic zone from the coastline out to 200 nautical miles. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, regional councils like the PFMC develop and oversee management plans for fisheries in those federal waters, working with NOAA Fisheries. State waters near shore are managed by the individual states, not the PFMC. So the PFMC mainly manages federal waters. The other statements mix up where authority lies or imply management by international bodies, which isn’t how U.S. fisheries are organized.