This proposal would update federal fishery management rules. It would require fishery plans to consider climate change and fish stock shifts, strengthen protections for fish habitat, and set new requirements for reducing and reporting bycatch. It would also expand fishing community and tribal participation, improve fisheries data and monitoring, and create grants and loans to support working waterfronts. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to committees; it has not become law.
Fishers and fishing communities could take part in new research, data collection, and management programs. Coastal states, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations could seek support for waterfront plans and projects. The proposal also calls for more public access to fishery council meetings and public records. Specific effects would depend on later decisions and implementation.
The bill authorizes funding for its provisions, including $698.142 million for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $764.621 million for fiscal year 2030. It also specifically authorizes $5 million per year from 2026 through 2030 for a climate-ready fisheries program, and $50 million per year over the same period for each of two working waterfront programs. These are authorizations, not statements that the funds have been spent.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.