Access for Sportfishing Act of 2016

To preserve and enhance saltwater fishing opportunities for recreational anglers, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access for Sportfishing Act of 2016 2. Fishery management measures in Biscayne National Park (a) In general Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 103 of Public Law 96–287 16 U.S.C. 410gg–2 (b) Exception Notwithstanding the general prohibition under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior may implement and enforce restrictions on recreational fishing, charter fishing, or commercial fishing in any portion of Biscayne National Park as part of a park fishery management plan if the restrictions are— (1) developed in formal coordination and consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission of the State of Florida; (2) based upon the best and most recent scientific information available regarding the fishery resources in Biscayne National Park, with priority given to scientific information relied upon by the State of Florida for fish conservation and management in State waters; (3) the least restrictive measures necessary for effective fish conservation and management that will provide the best fishing opportunities in the affected areas of the park on a continuing basis, such as— (A) size limits; (B) possession limits; (C) gear restrictions or requirements; (D) seasonal closures; and (E) access permits; and (4) for the sole purpose of fishery conservation and management. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed to apply to lands, waters, or interests donated by the State of Florida after June 28, 1980, to the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service for the purpose of the Biscayne National Park. Fishing on such lands and waters shall continue to be in conformance with State law. (d) Definitions (1) In general In this section, the terms fish fishery resource fishing charter fishing commercial fishing conservation and management recreational fishing 16 U.S.C. 1802 (2) Definition of formal coordination and consultation In this section, the term formal coordination and consultation 3. Shark Conservation Act of 2010 (a) In general The Act entitled An Act to amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve the conservation of sharks Public Law 111–348 (1) by striking section 104 and inserting the following: 104. Prohibition on shark feeding (a) Prohibition Except as provided in section 317 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1866 (1) to engage in shark feeding; or (2) to operate a vessel for the purpose of carrying a passenger for hire to any site to engage in shark feeding or to observe shark feeding. (b) Additional prohibited acts It is unlawful for any person— (1) to violate this section or any regulation promulgated under this section; (2) to refuse to permit any officer authorized to enforce the provisions of this section to board a fishing vessel subject to such person's control for purposes of conducting any search or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this section or any regulation promulgated under the section; (3) to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any such authorized officer in the conduct of any search or inspection described in paragraph (2); (4) to resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited by this section; or (5) to interfere with, delay, or prevent, by any means, the apprehension or arrest of another person, knowing that such other person has committed any act prohibited by this section. (c) Limitation Any incidental feeding or attracting of a shark in the course of educational or scientific research conducted under a permit issued by the Secretary of Commerce or lawful fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (d) Civil penalty Any person who commits any act that is unlawful under subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty under section 308 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1858 (e) Criminal penalty Any person who commits an act that is unlawful under paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (b) of this section is deemed to be guilty of an offense punishable under section 309(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1859(b) (f) Enforcement (1) In general The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall prevent any person from violating this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though sections 308 through 311 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1858 (2) Penalties and privileges Any person who violates this section is subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 1858 (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Passenger for hire The term passenger for hire (2) Shark feeding The term shark feeding 105. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed as affecting, altering, or diminishing in any way the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to establish such conservation and management measures as the Secretary considers appropriate under sections 302(a)(3) and 304(g) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1852(a)(3) ; and (2) in section 1, by striking the item relating to section 104 and inserting the following: Sec. 104. Prohibition on shark feeding. Sec. 105. Rule of construction. . (b) Relation to other laws Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this Act supercedes more restrictive State laws or regulations regarding shark feeding in State waters. 4. Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 (a) Exemptions for traditional fisheries and markets Section 4(c)(1) of the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 ( 16 U.S.C. 1827a(c)(1) and retained landed (b) Deadline for issuance of final regulations The Secretary of Commerce shall issue a final rule implementing the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 ( 16 U.S.C. 1827a

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Access for Sportfishing Act of 2016 (Sec.2)This bill requires the National Park Service to meet several requirements before implementing any fishing restrictions in Biscayne National Park located in Homestead, Florida. The requirements include basing any restriction on sound fisheries management, coordinating with the state of Florida, prioritizing scientific information relied upon by the state of Florida, and ensuring any restriction is the least restrictive measure necessary. (Sec.3)Additionally, the bill amends the Shark Conservation Act of 2010 to make shark feeding illegal in all U.S. waters. The bill alsoamends the Billfish Conservation Act to maintain a prohibition on the sale of marlin, sailfish, and spearfish while ensuring that the exemption for traditional fisheries does not create new markets for these species. Nothing in this bill shall affect the authority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish conservation and management regulationsunder the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.