Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act

To authorize grants for data collection for use in stock assessments of red snapper and other reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act 2. Gulf of Mexico red snapper and other reef fish species data collection grants (a) Grants authorized The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, shall award competitive grants for fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data collection for use in stock assessments for red snapper and other reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico. (b) Innovative approaches In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall seek to improve red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments through innovative approaches to data collection that incorporates data from cooperative peer-reviewed research involving academia, fishermen, and other fisheries sources. (c) Grant period Grants under this section may be for one or more fiscal years. 3. Communication with stakeholders (a) In general The Secretary of Commerce shall seek to improve communications by the National Marine Fisheries Service with stakeholders regarding the Gulf of Mexico red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessment processes and outcomes of such processes. (b) Report The Secretary shall— (1) by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, report to Congress on actions taken under this section and the results of such actions; and (2) update such report every 180 days thereafter. 4. Process for using Gulf of Mexico red snapper and other reef fish species cooperative research data The Secretary of Commerce shall— (1) by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, develop and report to the Congress on a process for using data collected through cooperative research activities for Gulf of Mexico red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments; and (2) update such report every 180 days thereafter. 5. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce $10,000,000 for grants, personnel, operations, and data collection under this Act to improve Gulf of Mexico red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments.

Summary: Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act This bill requires the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office to award grants for data collection that is used in stock assessments for reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico, including the red snapper. In awarding grants, the Office must seek to improve stock assessments through innovative approaches to data collection that incorporates data from peer-reviewed research involving academia, fishermen, and other fisheries sources. The Department of Commerce must: (1) seek to improve communications by the National Marine Fisheries Service with stakeholders regarding the reef fish species stock assessment processes and outcomes of those processes, and (2) develop a process for using data collected through cooperative research activities for those stock assessments.