For purposes of this chapter—

the term “fish restoration and management projects” shall be construed to mean projects designed for the restoration and management of all species of fish which have material value in connection with sport or recreation in the marine and/or fresh waters of the United States and include—

(A) such research into problems of fish management and culture as may be necessary to efficient administration affecting fish resources;

(B) the acquisition of such facts as are necessary to guide and direct the regulation of fishing by law, including the extent of the fish population, the drain on the fish supply from fishing and/or natural causes, the necessity of legal regulation of fishing, and the effects of any measures of regulation that are applied;

(C) the formulation and adoption of plans of restocking waters with food and game fishes according to natural areas or districts to which such plans are applicable, together with the acquisition of such facts as are necessary to the formulation, execution, and testing the efficacy of such plans;

(D) the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of areas of water or land adaptable as hatching, feeding, resting, or breeding places for fish, including acquisition by purchase, condemnation, lease, or gift of such areas or estates or interests therein as are suitable or capable of being made suitable therefor, and the construction thereon or therein of such works as may be necessary to make them available for such purposes, and such preliminary or incidental costs and expenses as may be incurred in and about such works; the term “State fish and game department” shall be construed to mean and include any department or division of department of another name, or commission, or official or officials, of a State empowered under its laws to exercise the functions ordinarily exercised by a State fish and game department;

(2) the term “outreach and communications program” means a program to improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities, to reduce barriers to participation in these activities, to advance adoption of sound fishing and boating practices, to promote conservation and the responsible use of the Nation’s aquatic resources, and to further safety in fishing and boating; and

(3) the term “aquatic resource education program” means a program designed to enhance the public’s understanding of aquatic resources and sportfishing, and to promote the development of responsible attitudes and ethics toward the aquatic environment.

(Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 658, § 2, 64 Stat. 431; July 2, 1956, ch. 489, § 3, 70 Stat. 473; Pub. L. 86–624, § 12, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 413; Pub. L. 105–178, title VII, § 7402(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 483.)