§ 10601. Fishing agreements

• (a) Before proceeding on a voyage, the owner, charterer, or managing operator, or a representative thereof, including the master or individual in charge, of a fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish tender vessel shall make a fishing agreement in writing with each seaman employed on board if the vessel is—
  • (1) at least 20 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title , or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title ; and
  • (2) on a voyage from a port in the United States.
• (b) The agreement shall—
  • (1) state the period of effectiveness of the agreement;
  • (2) include the terms of any wage, share, or other compensation arrangement peculiar to the fishery in which the vessel will be engaged during the period of the agreement;
  • (3) in the case of a seaman employed on a vessel that is a catcher processor or fish processing vessel that employs more than 25 crewmembers, include a requirement that each crewmember shall be served not less than three meals a day that—
    • (A) total not less than 3,100 calories; and
    • (B) include adequate water and minerals in accordance with the United States Recommended Daily Allowances; and
  • (4) include other agreed terms.