1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Forage Fish Conservation Act . (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. References to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Sec. 3. Findings. Sec. 4. Definitions. Sec. 5. Scientific advice. Sec. 6. Council functions. Sec. 7. Contents of fishery management plans. Sec. 8. Action by the Secretary. Sec. 9. River herring and shad. Sec. 10. Rule of construction. 2. References to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). 3. Findings Section 2(a) ( 16 U.S.C. 1801(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (13) Forage fish are generally small to intermediate-sized species, occurring in schools or dense aggregations, and function as a main pathway for energy to flow from phyto- and zooplankton to higher trophic level predators, such as tuna, Alaska pollock, and other wildlife, in marine ecosystems. While most species function as prey of others at some life stage, especially when small and young, forage fish maintain this important trophic role throughout their life. Further, fluctuations in their populations can result in significant changes in marine communities and ecosystems. Therefore, particular attention to management of forage fish species, and addressing their unique role in marine ecosystems, is critical to maintaining ecosystem function and sustainable fisheries. . 4. Definitions Section 3 ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating the second paragraph (33) (relating to waters of a foreign nation) as paragraph (53)