This bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to create standards and publish geospatial data about recreational use and fishing restrictions in the United States exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Within 31 months the Secretary must adopt data standards after consulting stakeholders. Within 4 years the National Marine Fisheries Service must publish GIS data on a public website showing areas open or closed to recreational boating, diving, and related activities; areas with restrictions on motorized propulsion, horsepower, or fuel; vessel types restricted in areas; geographic boundaries of fishing restrictions; and federally protected marine areas and allowed activities. The bill also requires continued publication of navigation, bathymetry, and depth chart data, organized so it is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, and includes a way to notify users of new data. The Secretary must allow public comment, update certain data at least twice a year and other data in real time, and may withhold archaeological or proprietary commercial fishing information. The law does not apply to usual or accustomed Tribal fishing areas or Tribal waters. The Secretary may partner with states, tribes, regional groups, private sector, nonprofits, and universities and must coordinate with other federal agencies. The bill clarifies it does not change agency jurisdictions, navigable waters definitions, fishery management authority, treaty rights, or replace government-to-government tribal consultation.
If you boat, dive, fish, or recreate in Federal waters, the bill would create a public website where you can look up mapped areas showing where activities are allowed or restricted and find navigation and depth information. The site must be updated regularly and let users get updates and submit comments. It will not include certain protected archaeological details or proprietary commercial fishing information, and it will not cover Tribal waters or usual and accustomed Tribal fishing areas.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s sponsors seek to standardize, coordinate, and publish geospatial data so the public and agencies have clearer, interoperable information about fishing restrictions, vessel access, and navigation in the EEZ. The bill directs consultation with stakeholders and allows partnerships with non-Federal entities to carry out its goals.
No publicly available information.