Whale CHARTS Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill, the Whale CHARTS Act of 2026, changes and expands a program first created in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. It directs the Under Secretary (NOAA Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere) to carry out mapping, surveying, monitoring, and mitigation actions for migratory whales and other large cetaceans in U.S. waters.

Key requirements in the bill include: producing high-accuracy distribution maps and predictive distribution maps for migratory whale stocks; conducting surveys of understudied stocks to estimate abundance and distribution; developing or supporting research on novel data sources and detection technologies (for example, passive acoustic monitoring, satellite or drone imagery); and making maps available in electronic, machine-readable formats that can be integrated into vessel navigation systems and public platforms. The bill creates a competitive grant program administered through a cooperative agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund detection technologies, outreach, on-water approaches, and related projects. The bill also requires reports to Congress every three years and adds a requirement that certain distribution maps be considered when preparing marine mammal stock assessments.

What it means for you#

• If enacted, NOAA would produce detailed maps and hold surveys about where migratory whales live, feed, mate, and migrate. Those maps must be available to the public and in formats that can be used in vessel navigation systems.
• States, tribes, research institutions, nonprofits, and other eligible entities (including businesses in fishing, tourism, and maritime sectors) could apply for grants to develop detection technologies or to carry out projects that reduce harmful interactions with whales.
• The bill directs coordination with the Marine Mammal Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard on sharing maps and formats for carriage requirements for commercial and recreational vessels.

Expenses#

• The bill authorizes the following appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030:
  • $2,000,000 per year to carry out the distribution mapping (subsection (c));
  • $1,000,000 per year to carry out understudied species surveys (subsection (d));
  • $5,000,000 per year to carry out the near real-time monitoring and mitigation subprogram (subsection (f)).
• The bill also authorizes $10,000,000 (to remain available until expended) to carry out the grant program (subsection (e)). The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation may use up to 5 percent or $80,000, whichever is greater, of those grant funds each year for administrative expenses.
• No publicly available information on total estimated federal cost, savings, or offsets beyond these authorization amounts.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.