This bill would create an East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force within 90 days of enactment. The task force would include 16–21 members chosen by the Secretary of Commerce. Members must include representatives from NOAA (who would chair the group), EPA, USDA, three regional fishery management councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, state fish and wildlife agencies from the New England, Mid‑Atlantic, and South Atlantic regions, 1–3 Indian Tribe representatives, 3–6 representatives from the bivalve fishing and supply chain, and 5 academic experts (including at least one quahog expert).
The task force must review existing bivalve science for East Coast States and identify applied research needs to understand changes in quahog (hard clam) and other bivalve populations and harvests. Duties include considering traditional ecological knowledge, habitat needs and changes, erosion and sedimentation, climate change impacts (for example, ocean warming and acidification), restoration techniques, assisted migration, culture and breeding (including genomic techniques), life cycles and dispersal, disease prevalence and mitigation, management for sustainable aquaculture, and economic barriers for small operations. The task force must form at least two work groups within 30 days: one focused on quahogs (including Rhode Island) and one on climate change impacts; additional work groups may be formed.
The Chair must provide an interim public progress report after 1 year and a final public report after 2 years describing the review and offering recommendations to fill knowledge gaps and to address problems. Work groups must each submit reports to the task force within 2 years. Members serve without pay but are eligible for travel expenses and per diem at federal rates. The Secretary of Commerce must provide administrative support. The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the section.
If enacted, the bill would set up a group of federal, state, tribal, industry, and academic representatives to study East Coast bivalves and recommend research priorities and possible solutions. The group would collect and review scientific and traditional knowledge and produce public reports for federal agencies and congressional committees. The bill itself does not change fisheries rules, set funding amounts, or impose new regulations; it directs the task force to identify research needs and make recommendations.
For commercial or recreational harvesters, aquaculture operators, tribal communities, and coastal managers, the task force could highlight research priorities and possible restoration or management approaches. No publicly available information is in the bill text about specific actions, regulatory changes, or guaranteed funding that would follow the task force's recommendations.
The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the task force. Members would serve without compensation but may receive travel expenses and per diem while away from home at rates authorized for federal employees under title 5, United States Code. The Secretary of Commerce must provide administrative support. No publicly available information in the bill text gives an estimated total cost or specific funding levels.
The bill's stated purposes are to (1) characterize bivalve productivity and abundance trends on the East Coast and identify research needs; (2) prioritize scientific research for commercially harvested and aquacultured bivalves; (3) address increased variability or declines in harvests of key bivalve species, including quahogs; and (4) support collaboration and coordination for bivalve conservation across East Coast States. The bill emphasizes coordinated research, inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge, and evaluation of economic impacts.
No publicly available information.