Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act

To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act 2. Definitions In this Act, any term used that is defined in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 3. References Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a provision of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 4. Flexibility in rebuilding fish stocks (a) General requirements Section 304(e) ( 16 U.S.C. 1854(e) (1) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking possible practicable (B) by amending subparagraph (A)(ii) to read as follows: (ii) may not exceed the time the stock would be rebuilt without fishing occurring plus one mean generation, except in a case in which— (I) the biology of the stock of fish, other environmental conditions, or management measures under an international agreement in which the United States participates dictate otherwise; (II) the Secretary determines that the cause of the stock being depleted is outside the jurisdiction of the Council or the rebuilding program cannot be effective only by limiting fishing activities; (III) the Secretary determines that one or more components of a mixed-stock fishery is depleted but cannot be rebuilt within that time- frame without significant economic harm to the fishery, or cannot be rebuilt without causing another component of the mixed-stock fishery to approach a depleted status; (IV) the Secretary determines that recruitment, distribution, or life history of, or fishing activities for, the stock are affected by informal transboundary agreements under which management activities outside the exclusive economic zone by another country may hinder conservation and management efforts by United States fishermen; and (V) the Secretary determines that the stock has been affected by unusual events that make rebuilding within the specified time period improbable without significant economic harm to fishing communities; ; (C) by striking and (B) take into account environmental condition including predator/prey relationships; ; and (D) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated) and inserting ; and (E) specify a schedule for reviewing the rebuilding targets, evaluating environmental impacts on rebuilding progress, and evaluating progress being made toward reaching rebuilding targets. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (8) A fishery management plan, plan amendment, or proposed regulations may use alternative rebuilding strategies, including harvest control rules and fishing mortality-rate targets to the extent they are in compliance with the requirements of this Act. (9) A Council may terminate the application of paragraph (3) to a fishery if the Council’s scientific and statistical committee determines and the Secretary concurs that the original determination that the fishery was depleted was erroneous, either— (A) within the 2-year period beginning on the effective date a fishery management plan, plan amendment, or proposed regulation for a fishery under this subsection takes effect; or (B) within 90 days after the completion of the next stock assessment after such determination. . (b) Emergency regulations and interim measures Section 305(c)(3)(B) ( 16 U.S.C. 1855(c)(3)(B) 180 days after provided 1 year after the date of publication, and may be extended by publication in the Federal Register for one additional period of not more than 1 year, if 5. Modifications to the annual catch limit requirement Section 302 ( 16 U.S.C. 1852 (m) Considerations for modifications to annual catch limit requirements (1) Consideration of ecosystem and economic impacts In establishing annual catch limits a Council may, consistent with section 302(h)(6), consider changes in an ecosystem and the economic needs of the fishing communities. (2) Limitations to annual catch limit requirement for special fisheries Notwithstanding subsection (h)(6), a Council is not required to develop an annual catch limit for— (A) an ecosystem component species; (B) a fishery for a species that has a life cycle of approximately 1 year, unless the Secretary has determined the fishery is subject to overfishing; or (C) a stock for which— (i) more than half of a single-year class will complete their life cycle in less than 18 months; and (ii) fishing mortality will have little impact on the stock. (3) Relationship to international fishery efforts Each annual catch limit may, consistent with section 302(h)(6), take into account— (A) management measures under international agreements in which the United States participates; (B) informal transboundary agreements under which fishery management activities by another country outside the exclusive economic zone may hinder conservation efforts by United States fishermen for a fish species for which any of the recruitment, distribution, life history, or fishing activities are transboundary; and (C) in instances in which no transboundary agreement exists, activities by another country outside the exclusive economic zone that may hinder conservation efforts by United States fisherman for a fish species for which any of the recruitment, distribution, life history, or fishing activities are transboundary. (4) Authorization for multispecies complexes and multiyear annual catch limits For purposes of subsection (h)(6), a Council may establish— (A) an annual catch limit for a stock complex; or (B) annual catch limits for each year in any continuous period that is not more than three years in duration. (5) Ecosystem component species defined In this subsection the term ecosystem component species (A) is not subject to overfishing, approaching a depleted condition or depleted; and (B) is not likely to become subject to overfishing or depleted in the absence of conservation and management measures. . 6. Distinguishing between overfished and depleted (a) Definitions Section 3 ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 (1) in paragraph (34), by striking The terms overfishing overfished The term overfishing (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following: (8a) The term depleted . (b) Substitution of term The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (1) in the heading of section 304(e), by striking Overfished Depleted (2) by striking overfished depleted (c) Clarity in annual report Section 304(e)(1) ( 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(1) The report shall distinguish between fisheries that are depleted (or approaching that condition) as a result of fishing and fisheries that are depleted (or approaching that condition) as a result of factors other than fishing. The report shall state, for each fishery identified as depleted or approaching that condition, whether the fishery is the target of directed fishing. 7. Transparency and public process (a) Advice Section 302(g)(1)(B) ( 16 U.S.C. 1852(g)(1)(B) Each scientific and statistical committee shall develop such advice in a transparent manner and allow for public involvement in the process. (b) Meetings Section 302(i)(2) ( 16 U.S.C. 1852(i)(2) (G) Each Council shall make available on the Internet Web site of the Council— (i) to the extent practicable, a Webcast, an audio recording, or a live broadcast of each meeting of the Council, and of the Council Coordination Committee established under subsection (l), that is not closed in accordance with paragraph (3); and (ii) audio, video (if the meeting was in person or by video conference), or a searchable audio or written transcript of each meeting of the Council and of the meetings of committees referred to in section 302(g)(1)(B) of the Council by not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the meeting. (H) The Secretary shall maintain and make available to the public an archive of Council and scientific and statistical committee meeting audios, videos, and transcripts made available under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (G). . (c) Fishery impact statements (1) Requirement Section 303 ( 16 U.S.C. 1853 (A) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (9) and redesignating paragraphs (10) through (15) as paragraphs (9) through (14), respectively; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (d) Fishery impact statement (1) Any fishery management plan (or fishery management plan amendment) prepared by any Council or by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) or (b), or proposed regulations deemed necessary pursuant to subsection (c), shall include a fishery impact statement which shall assess, specify and analyze the likely effects and impact of the proposed action on the quality of the human environment. (2) The fishery impact statement shall describe— (A) a purpose of the proposed action; (B) the environmental impact of the proposed action; (C) any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposed action be implemented; (D) a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed action; (E) the relationship between short-term use of fishery resources and the enhancement of long-term productivity; (F) the cumulative conservation and management effects; and (G) economic, and social impacts of the proposed action on— (i) participants in the fisheries and fishing communities affected by the proposed action; (ii) participants in the fisheries conducted in adjacent areas under the authority of another Council, after consultation with such Council and representatives of those participants; and (iii) the safety of human life at sea, including whether and to what extent such measures may affect the safety of participants in the fishery. (3) A substantially complete fishery impact statement, which may be in draft form, shall be available not less than 14 days before the beginning of the meeting at which a Council makes its final decision on the proposal (for plans, plan amendments, or proposed regulations prepared by a Council pursuant to subsection (a) or (c)). Availability of this fishery impact statement will be announced by the methods used by the council to disseminate public information and the public and relevant government agencies will be invited to comment on the fishery impact statement. (4) The completed fishery impact statement shall accompany the transmittal of a fishery management plan or plan amendment as specified in section 304(a), as well as the transmittal of proposed regulations as specified in section 304(b). (5) The Councils shall, subject to approval by the Secretary, establish criteria to determine actions or classes of action of minor significance regarding subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), (E), and (F) of paragraph (2), for which preparation of a fishery impact statement is unnecessary and categorically excluded from the requirements of this section, and the documentation required to establish the exclusion. (6) The Councils shall, subject to approval by the Secretary, prepare procedures for compliance with this section that provide for timely, clear, and concise analysis that is useful to decisionmakers and the public, reduce extraneous paperwork and effectively involve the public, including— (A) using Council meetings to determine the scope of issues to be addressed and identifying significant issues related to the proposed action; (B) integration of the fishery impact statement development process with preliminary and final Council decisionmaking in a manner that provides opportunity for comment from the public and relevant government agencies prior to these decision points; and (C) providing scientific, technical, and legal advice at an early stage of the development of the fishery impact statement to ensure timely transmittal and Secretarial review of the proposed fishery management plan, plan amendment, or regulations to the Secretary. (7) Actions taken in accordance with this section are deemed to fulfill the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. . (2) Evaluation of adequacy Section 304(a)(2) ( 16 U.S.C. 1854(a)(2) and ; and (D) evaluate the adequacy of the accompanying fishery impact statement as basis for fully considering the environmental impacts of implementing the fishery management plan or plan amendment. . (3) Review of regulations Section 304(b) ( 16 U.S.C. 1854(b) (b) Review of regulations (1) Upon transmittal by the Council to the Secretary of proposed regulations prepared under section 303(c), the Secretary shall immediately initiate an evaluation of the proposed regulations to determine whether they are consistent with the fishery management plan, plan amendment, this Act and other applicable law. The Secretary shall also immediately initiate an evaluation of the accompanying fishery impact statement as a basis for fully considering the environmental impacts of implementing the proposed regulations. Within 15 days of initiating such evaluation the Secretary shall make a determination and— . (4) Effect on time requirements Section 305(e) ( 16 U.S.C. 1855(e) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. the Regulatory Flexibility Act ( 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. 8. Limitation on future catch share programs (a) Catch share defined Section 3 ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 (2a) The term catch share . (b) Catch share referendum pilot program (1) In general Section 303A(c)(6)(D) ( 16 U.S.C. 1853a(c)(6)(D) (D) Catch share referendum pilot program (i) The New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Councils may not submit a fishery management plan or amendment that creates a catch share program for a fishery, and the Secretary may not approve or implement such a plan or amendment submitted by such a Council or a secretarial plan or amendment under section 304(c) that creates such a program, unless the final program has been approved, in a referendum in accordance with this subparagraph, by a majority of the permit holders eligible to participate in the fishery. For multispecies permits in the Gulf of Mexico, any permit holder with landings from within the sector of the fishery being considered for the catch share program within the 5-year period preceding the date of the referendum and still active in fishing in the fishery shall be eligible to participate in such a referendum. If a catch share program is not approved by the requisite number of permit holders, it may be revised and submitted for approval in a subsequent referendum. (ii) The Secretary may, at the request of the New England Fishery Management Council, allow participation in such a referendum for a fishery under the Council’s authority, by fishing vessel crewmembers who derive a significant portion of their livelihood from such fishing. (iii) The Secretary shall conduct a referendum under this subparagraph, including notifying all permit holders eligible to participate in the referendum and making available to them— (I) a copy of the proposed program; (II) an estimate of the costs of the program, including costs to participants; (III) an estimate of the amount of fish or percentage of quota each permit holder would be allocated; and (IV) information concerning the schedule, procedures, and eligibility requirements for the referendum process. (iv) For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term permit holder eligible to participate (v) The Secretary may not implement any catch share program for any fishery managed exclusively by the Secretary unless first petitioned by a majority of those permit holders eligible to participate in the fishery. . (2) Limitation on application The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not apply to a catch share program that is submitted to, or proposed by, the Secretary of Commerce before the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Regulations Before conducting a referendum under the amendment made by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Commerce shall issue regulations implementing such amendment after providing an opportunity for submission by the public of comments on the regulations. 9. Report on fee Section 304(d)(2) ( 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2) (D) The Secretary shall report annually on the amount collected under this paragraph from each fishery and detail how the funds were spent in the prior year on a fishery-by-fishery basis, to— (i) Congress; and (ii) each Council from whose fisheries the fee under this paragraph were collected. . 10. Data collection and data confidentiality (a) Electronic monitoring (1) Issuance of regulations (A) Requirement The Secretary shall issue regulations governing the use of electronic monitoring for the purposes of monitoring fisheries that are subject to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (B) Content The regulations shall— (i) distinguish between monitoring for data collection and research purposes and monitoring for compliance and enforcement purposes; and (ii) include minimum criteria, objectives, or performance standards for electronic monitoring. (C) Process In issuing the regulations the Secretary shall— (i) consult with the Councils and fishery management commissions; (ii) publish the proposed regulations; and (iii) provide an opportunity for the submission by the public of comments on the proposed regulations. (2) Implementation of monitoring (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), and after the issuance of the final regulations, a Council, or the Secretary for fisheries referred to in section 302(a)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1852(a)(3) (i) to incorporate electronic monitoring as an alternative tool for data collection and monitoring purposes or for compliance and enforcement purposes (or both); and (ii) to allow for the replacement of a percentage of on-board observers with electronic monitoring. (B) Comparability Subparagraph (A) shall apply to a fishery only if the Council or Secretary, respectively, determines that such monitoring will yield comparable data collection and compliance results. (3) Pilot projects Before the issuance of final regulations, a Council, or the Secretary for fisheries referred to in section 302(a)(3), may, subject to the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, on a fishery-by-fishery basis, and consistent with the existing objectives and management goals of a fishery management plan for a fishery issued by the Council or the Secretary, respectively, conduct a pilot project for the use of electronic monitoring for the fishery. (4) Deadline The Secretary shall issue final regulations under this subsection by not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Video and acoustic survey technologies The Secretary shall work with the Regional Fishery Management Councils and nongovernmental entities to develop and implement the use pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (c) Confidentiality of information (1) In general Section 402(b) ( 16 U.S.C. 1881a(b) (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) to State or Marine Fisheries Commission employees as necessary for achievement of the purposes of this Act, subject to a confidentiality agreement between the State or Commission, respectively, and the Secretary that prohibits public disclosure of the identity of any person and of confidential information; ; (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking limited access catch share (iii) in subparagraph (G), by striking limited access catch share (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , and information obtained through a vessel monitoring system or other technology used onboard a fishing vessel for enforcement or data collection purposes, information (ii) by striking or (iii) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: (C) as authorized by any regulations issued under paragraph (6) allowing the collection of observer information, pursuant to a confidentiality agreement between the observers, observer employers, and the Secretary prohibiting disclosure of the information by the observers or observer employers, in order— (i) to allow the sharing of observer information among observers and between observers and observer employers as necessary to train and prepare observers for deployments on specific vessels; or (ii) to validate the accuracy of the observer information collected; or (D) to other persons if the Secretary has obtained written authorization from the person who submitted such information or from the person on whose vessel the information was collected, to release such information for reasons not otherwise provided for in this subsection. ; (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6); and (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Any information submitted to the Secretary, a State fisheries management agency, or a Marine Fisheries Commission by any person in compliance with the requirements of this Act, including confidential information, may only be used for purposes of fisheries management and monitoring and enforcement under this Act. (4) The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the heads of other Federal agencies for the sharing of confidential information to ensure safety of life at sea or for fisheries enforcement purposes, including information obtained through a vessel monitoring system or other electronic enforcement and monitoring systems, if— (A) the Secretary determines there is a compelling need to do so; and (B) the heads of the other Federal agencies agree— (i) to maintain the confidentiality of the information in accordance with the requirements that apply to the Secretary under this section; and (ii) to use the information only for the purposes for which it was shared with the agencies. (5) The Secretary may not provide any vessel-specific or aggregate vessel information from a fishery that is collected for monitoring and enforcement purposes to any person for the purposes of coastal and marine spatial planning under Executive Order 13547, unless the Secretary determines that providing such information is important for maintaining or enhancing national security or for ensuring fishermen continued access to fishing grounds. . (2) confidential information defined Section 3 ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 (4a) The term confidential information (A) trade secrets; (B) proprietary information; (C) observer information; and (D) commercial or financial information the disclosure of which is likely to result in harm to the competitive position of the person that submitted the information to the Secretary. . (d) Increased data collection and actions To address data-Poor fisheries Section 404 ( 16 U.S.C. 1881c (e) Use of the asset forfeiture fund for fishery independent data collection (1) In general (A) The Secretary, subject to appropriations, may obligate for data collection purposes in accordance with prioritizations under paragraph (3) a portion of amounts received by the United States as fisheries enforcement penalties. (B) Amounts may be obligated under this paragraph only in the fishery management region with respect to which they are collected. (2) Included purposes The purposes referred to in paragraph (1) include— (A) the use of State personnel and resources, including fishery survey vessels owned and maintained by States to survey or assess data-poor fisheries for which fishery management plans are in effect under this Act; and (B) cooperative research activities authorized under section 318 to improve or enhance the fishery independent data used in fishery stock assessments. (3) Data-poor fisheries priority lists Each Council shall— (A) identify those fisheries in its region considered to be data-poor fisheries; (B) prioritize those fisheries based on the need of each fishery for up-to-date information; and (C) provide those priorities to the Secretary. (4) Definitions In this subsection: (A) The term data-poor fishery (i) that has not been surveyed in the preceding 5-year period; (ii) for which a fishery stock assessment has not been performed within the preceding 5-year period; or (iii) for which limited information on the status of the fishery is available for management purposes. (B) The term fisheries enforcement penalties (5) Authorization of Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year to carry out this subsection up to 80 percent of the fisheries enforcement penalties collected during the preceding fiscal year. . 11. Cooperative research and management program Section 318 ( 16 U.S.C. 1867 (1) in subsection (a), by inserting (1) (2) Within one year after the date of enactment of the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, and after consultation with the Councils, the Secretary shall publish a plan for implementing and conducting the program established in paragraph (1). Such plan shall identify and describe critical regional fishery management and research needs, possible projects that may address those needs, and estimated costs for such projects. The plan shall be revised and updated every 5 years, and updated plans shall include a brief description of projects that were funded in the prior 5-year period and the research and management needs that were addressed by those projects. ; and (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in the heading, by striking Funding Priorities (B) in paragraph (1), by striking all after including (A) the use of fishing vessels or acoustic or other marine technology; (B) expanding the use of electronic catch reporting programs and technology; and (C) improving monitoring and observer coverage through the expanded use of electronic monitoring devices. . 12. Council jurisdiction for overlapping fisheries Section 302(a)(1) ( 16 U.S.C. 1852(a) (1) in subparagraph (A), in the second sentence— (A) by striking 18 19 (B) by inserting before the period at the end and a liaison who is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to represent the interests of fisheries under the jurisdiction of such Council (2) in subparagraph (B), in the second sentence— (A) by striking 21 22 (B) by inserting before the period at the end and a liaison who is a member of the New England Fishery Management Council to represent the interests of fisheries under the jurisdiction of such Council 13. Gulf of Mexico fisheries cooperative research and red snapper management (a) Repeal Section 407 ( 16 U.S.C. 1883 (b) Reporting and data collection program The Secretary of Commerce shall— (1) in conjunction with the States, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the recreational fishing sectors, develop and implement a real-time reporting and data collection program for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery using available technology; and (2) make implementation of this subsection a priority for funds received by the Secretary and allocated to this region under section 2 of the Act of August 11, 1939 (commonly known as the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act 15 U.S.C. 713c–3 (c) Fisheries Cooperative research program The Secretary of Commerce— (1) shall, in conjunction with the States, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and the commercial, charter, and recreational fishing sectors, develop and implement a cooperative research program authorized under section 318 for the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions, giving priority to those fisheries that are considered data-poor; and (2) may, subject to the availability of appropriations, use funds received by the Secretary under section 2 of the Act of August 11, 1939 (commonly known as the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act 15 U.S.C. 713c–3 (d) Stock surveys and stock assessments The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Administrator of the Southeast Regional Office, shall for purposes of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (1) develop a schedule of stock surveys and stock assessments for the Gulf of Mexico Region and the South Atlantic Region for the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and for every 5-year period thereafter; (2) direct the Southeast Science Center Director to implement such schedule; and (3) in such development and implementation— (A) give priority to those stocks that are commercially or recreationally important; and (B) ensure that each such important stock is surveyed at least every 5 years. (e) Use of fisheries information in stock assessments The Southeast Science Center Director shall ensure that fisheries information made available through fisheries programs funded under Public Law 112–141 (f) State fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico with respect to red snapper Section 306(b) ( 16 U.S.C. 1856(b) (4) Notwithstanding section 3(11), for the purposes of managing the recreational sector of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery, the seaward boundary of a coastal State in the Gulf of Mexico is a line 9 miles seaward from the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured. . (g) Funding of stock assessments The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, shall enter into a cooperative agreement for the funding of stock assessments that are necessitated by any action by the Bureau with respect to offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico that adversely impacts red snapper. 14. North Pacific fishery management clarification Section 306(a)(3)(C) ( 16 U.S.C. 1856(a)(3)(C) (1) by striking was no is no (2) by striking on August 1, 1996 15. Ensuring consistent management for fisheries throughout their range (a) In general The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 5. Ensuring consistent fisheries management under certain other Federal laws (a) National Marine Sanctuaries Act and Antiquities Act of 1906 In any case of a conflict between this Act and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 431 et seq. (b) Fisheries restrictions under Endangered Species Act of 1973 To ensure transparency and consistent management of fisheries throughout their range, any restriction on the management of fish in the exclusive economic zone that is necessary to implement a recovery plan under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (1) using authority under this Act; and (2) in accordance with processes and time schedules required under this Act. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in the first section is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3 the following: Sec. 4. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 5. Ensuring consistent fisheries management under certain other Federal laws. . 16. Limitation on harvest in North Pacific directed pollock fishery Section 210(e)(1) of the American Fisheries Act (title II of division C of Public Law 105–277 16 U.S.C. 1851 (1) Harvesting (A) Limitation No particular individual, corporation, or other entity may harvest, through a fishery cooperative or otherwise, a percentage of the pollock available to be harvested in the directed pollock fishery that exceeds the percentage established for purposes of this paragraph by the North Pacific Council. (B) Maximum percentage The percentage established by the North Pacific Council shall not exceed 24 percent of the pollock available to be harvested in the directed pollock fishery. . 17. Recreational fishing data (a) Recreational data collection Section 401(g) ( 16 U.S.C. 1881(g) (4) Federal-State partnerships (A) Establishment The Secretary shall establish partnerships with States to develop best practices for implementation of State programs established pursuant to paragraph (2). (B) Guidance The Secretary shall develop guidance, in cooperation with the States, that details best practices for administering State programs pursuant to paragraph (2), and provide such guidance to the States. (C) Biennial Report The Secretary shall submit to the Congress and publish biennial reports that include— (i) the estimated accuracy of the registry program established under paragraph (1) and of State programs that are exempted under paragraph (2); (ii) priorities for improving recreational fishing data collection; and (iii) an explanation of any use of information collected by such State programs and by the Secretary, including a description of any consideration given to the information by the Secretary. (D) States Grant Program The Secretary shall make grants to States to improve implementation of State programs consistent with this subsection. The Secretary shall prioritize such grants based on the ability of the grant to improve the quality and accuracy of such programs. . (b) Study on recreational fisheries data Section 401(g) ( 16 U.S.C. 1881(g) (6) Study on program implementation (A) In general Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to study the implementation of the programs described in this section. The study shall— (i) provide an updated assessment of recreational survey methods established or improved since the publication of the Council’s report Review of Recreational Fisheries Survey Methods (2006) (ii) evaluate the extent to which the recommendations made in that report were implemented pursuant to paragraph (3)(B); and (iii) examine any limitations of the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey and the Marine Recreational Information Program established under paragraph (1). (B) Report Not later than 1 year after entering into an agreement under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the study under subparagraph (A). . 18. Stock assessments used for fisheries managed under Gulf of Mexico Council’s Reef Fish Management Plan (a) In general Title IV ( 16 U.S.C. 1881 et seq. 409. Stock assessments used for fisheries managed under Gulf of Mexico Council’s Reef Fish Management Plan (a) In general The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission shall conduct all fishery stock assessments used for management purposes by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for the fisheries managed under the Council’s Reef Fish Management Plan. (b) Use of other information and assets (1) In general Such fishery assessments shall— (A) incorporate fisheries survey information collected by university researchers; and (B) to the extent practicable, use State, university, and private assets to conduct fisheries surveys. (2) Surveys at artificial reefs Any such fishery stock assessment conducted after the date of the enactment of the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act shall incorporate fishery surveys conducted, and other relevant fisheries information collected, on and around natural and artificial reefs. (c) Constituent and stakeholder participation Each such fishery assessment shall— (1) emphasize constituent and stakeholder participation in the development of the assessment; (2) contain all of the raw data used in the assessment and a description of the methods used to collect that data; and (3) employ an assessment process that is transparent and includes— (A) includes a rigorous and independent scientific review of the completed fishery stock assessment; and (B) a panel of independent experts to review the data and assessment and make recommendations on the most appropriate values of critical population and management quantities. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in the first section is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IV the following: Sec. 408. Deep sea coral research and technology program. Sec. 409. Stock assessments used for fisheries managed under Gulf of Mexico Council's Reef Fish Management Plan. . 19. Estimation of cost of recovery from fishery resource disaster Section 312(a)(1) ( 16 U.S.C. 1861a(1) (1) by inserting (A) (1) (2) by redesignating existing subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, of subparagraph (A) (as designated by the amendment made by paragraph (1)); and (3) by adding at the end the following: (B) The Secretary shall publish the estimated cost of recovery from a fishery resource disaster no later than 30 days after the Secretary makes the determination under subparagraph (A) with respect to such disaster. . 20. Deadline for action on request by Governor for determination regarding fishery resource disaster Section 312(a) ( 16 U.S.C. 1861a(a) (2) The Secretary shall make a decision regarding a request from a Governor under paragraph (1) within 90 days after receiving an estimate of the economic impact of the fishery resource disaster from the entity requesting the relief. . 21. Prohibition on considering red snapper killed during removal of oil rigs Any red snapper that are killed during the removal of any offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico shall not be considered in determining under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 22. Prohibition on considering fish seized from foreign fishing Any fish that are seized from a foreign vessel engaged in illegal fishing activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone shall not be considered in determining under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 23. Subsistence fishing (a) Definition Section 3 ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 (43a) (A) The term subsistence fishing (B) In this paragraph— (i) the term family (ii) the term barter (I) for another fish or fish part; or (II) for other food or for nonedible items other than money if the exchange is of a limited and noncommercial nature. . (b) Council seat Section 302(b)(2) ( 16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking or recreational , recreational, or subsistence fishing (2) in subparagraph (C), in the second sentence, by inserting , and in the case of the Governor of Alaska with the subsistence fishing interests of the State, interests of the State (c) Purpose Section 2(b)(3) ( 16 U.S.C. 1801(b)(3) and recreational , recreational, and subsistence 24. Inter-sector trading of commercial catch share allocations in the Gulf of Mexico Section 301 ( 16 U.S.C. 1851 (c) Inter-Sector trading of commercial catch share allocations in the Gulf of Mexico Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any commercial fishing catch share allocation in a fishery in the Gulf of Mexico may only be traded by sale or lease within the same commercial fishing sector. . 25. Arctic community development quota Section 313 ( 16 U.S.C. 1862 (k) Arctic community development quota If the North Pacific Fishery Management Council issues a fishery management plan for the exclusive economic zone in the Arctic Ocean, or an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area issued by such Council, that makes available to commercial fishing, and establishes a sustainable harvest level, for any part of such zone, the Council shall set aside not less than 10 percent of the total allowable catch therein as a community development quota for coastal villages located north and east of the Bering Strait. . 26. Preference for students studying water resource issues Section 402(e) ( 16 U.S.C. 1881a(e) (4) The Secretary shall require that in the hiring of individuals to collect information regarding marine recreational fishing under this subsection, preference shall be given to individuals who are students studying water resource issues at an institution of higher education. . 27. Process for allocation review for South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico mixed-use fisheries (a) Study of allocations in mixed-use fisheries Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico mixed-use fisheries— (1) to provide guidance to Regional Fishery Management Councils established under section 302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1852 (2) to identify sources of information that could reasonably support the use of such criteria in allocation decisions; and (3) to develop procedures for allocation reviews and potential adjustments in allocations based on the guidelines and requirements established by this section. (b) Process for allocation review and establishment The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council shall— (1) within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, review the allocations of all mixed-use fisheries in the Councils’ respective jurisdictions; and (2) every 3 years thereafter, perform subsequent reviews of such allocations; and (3) consider the conservation and socioeconomic benefits of each sector in any allocation decisions for such fisheries. 28. Authorization of appropriations Section 4 ( 16 U.S.C. 1803 (1) by striking this Act (7) this Act (2) by striking fiscal year 2013 each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 May 15, 2015 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2019 the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). (Sec. 4) To distinguish between fish that are depleted due to fishing and those that are depleted for other reasons, the term "depleted" replaces the term "overfished" throughout the MSA. A depleted stock has a biomass that has declined below a level that jeopardizes the capacity of the stock or stock complex (multiple fish stocks) to produce a maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis. Fishery plans for depleted fisheries must specify a time period for rebuilding the fishery that is as short as practicable rather than as short as possible. The bill removes a requirement that plans for rebuilding depleted fisheries not exceed a 10-year time frame and replaces it with a requirement that the rebuilding time frame not exceed the time the stock would be rebuilt without fishing occurring plus one mean generation. Exceptions to this requirement are provided for cases in which: the biology of the stock of fish, other environmental conditions, or management measures under an international agreement in which the United States participates dictate otherwise; the cause of the stock being depleted is outside the jurisdiction of a Regional Fishery Management Council or the rebuilding program cannot be effective only by limiting fishing activities; one or more components of a mixed-stock fishery is depleted but cannot be rebuilt within that time frame without significant economic harm to the fishery, or cannot be rebuilt without causing another component of the mixed-stock fishery to approach a depleted status; recruitment, distribution, or life history of, or fishing activities for, the stock are affected by informal transboundary agreements under which management activities outside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by another country may hinder conservation and management efforts by U.S fishermen; and the stock has been affected by unusual events that make rebuilding within the specified time period improbable without significant economic harm to fishing communities. Plans for depleted fisheries must take into account environmental conditions including predator and prey relationships. Those plans also have to specify a schedule for reviewing the rebuilding targets, evaluating environmental impacts on rebuilding progress, and evaluating progress being made toward reaching rebuilding targets. Plans may use alternative rebuilding strategies, including harvest control rules and fishing mortality-rate targets. A Council may terminate a rebuilding plan for a fishery that was initially determined to be depleted, but then found to not be depleted, within two years of the plan's effective date or within 90 days after the completion of the next stock assessment. An emergency regulation or interim measure for fisheries which changes a rebuilding plan must remain in effect for a year instead of 180 days and may be extended for up to a year. (Sec. 5) Councils may consider changes in an ecosystem and the economic needs of the fishing communities when setting annual catch limits (ACLs). Councils do not have to develop an annual catch limit (ACLs) for an ecosystem component species. Those species are fish that are: (1) not targeted and are caught incidentally; (2) not subject to overfishing, approaching a depleted condition or depleted; and (3) not likely to become subject to overfishing or depleted in the absence of conservation and management measures. The Councils do not have to develop ACLs for fisheries with certain short-lived fish. Councils may establish: (1) an ACL for a stock complex, or (2) ACLs for each year in any continuous period that is no more than three years in duration. (Sec. 6) When issuing an annual report on the status of fisheries, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must distinguish between fisheries that are depleted as a result of fishing and fisheries that depleted as a result of factors other than fishing. The report must also state whether each depleted fishery is a target of directed fishing. (Sec. 7) Each Council's scientific and statistical committee must develop advice provided to the Council in a transparent manner and allow for public involvement in the process. Fishery impact statements must analyze the impacts of proposed actions in fishery management plans on the quality of the human environment. In addition to existing requirements, those impact statements must include the proposed action's purpose, the environmental impact of the proposed action, adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided, a reasonable range of alternatives, and the relationship between short-term use of the fishery resources and the enhancement of long-term productivity. A process is established for evaluating the adequacy of the statements in considering the environmental impacts of implementing the fishery management plan. Actions taken in accordance with the fishery impact statements are deemed to fulfill the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (Sec. 8) The New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Councils may not implement a new catch share program unless it has been approved by a majority of the permit holders eligible to participate in the fishery. A catch share is a fishery management program that allocates a specific percentage of the total allowable catch for a fishery, or a specific fishing area, to an individual, cooperative, community, processor, representative of a commercial sector, or regional fishery association. (Sec. 9) NOAA must report annually on the amount collected from each of the fisheries managed under a limited access privilege program and community development quota program and detail how the funds were spent on a fishery-by-fishery basis. NOAA must submit the report to Congress and each of the Councils from whose fisheries the fees were collected. (Sec. 10) NOAA must issue regulations governing the use of electronic monitoring of fisheries. The regulations must distinguish between monitoring for data collection and research purposes and monitoring for compliance and enforcement purposes. They must include minimum criteria, objectives, or performance standards for electronic monitoring. After the regulations are issued, Councils may incorporate electronic monitoring if it will yield data collection and compliance results that are comparable to results from on-board observers. Councils may conduct pilot projects for the use of electronic monitoring for fisheries on a fishery-by-fishery basis. NOAA must work with the Councils and nongovernmental entities to develop and implement the use of video survey technologies and expanded use of acoustic survey technologies. The bill revises data confidentiality provisions, including by requiring information submitted to NOAA, a state fisheries management agency, or a Marine Fisheries Commission to be used only for the purposes of fisheries management, monitoring, and enforcement under the MSA. NOAA may not provide vessel-specific or aggregate vessel information from a fishery that is collected for monitoring and enforcement purposes to any person for the purposes of coastal and marine spatial planning under Executive Order No. 13547, unless the information is important for maintaining or enhancing national security or for ensuring fishermen continued access to fishing grounds. NOAA may obligate amounts received as fisheries enforcement penalties for collecting information on data-poor fisheries. Each Council must identify data-poor fisheries in its region, prioritize those fisheries based on the need of each fishery for up-to-date information, and provide those priorities to NOAA. (Sec. 11) NOAA must publish a plan for implementing the Cooperative Research and Management Program within a year. The plan must identify and describe critical regional fishery management and research needs, possible projects that may address those needs, and estimated project costs. The plan must be revised and updated every five years. (Sec. 12) The New England Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council must each provide a voting seat on their Council for the other Council. (Sec. 13) In conjunction with the states, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the recreational fishing sectors, NOAA must develop and implement a real-time reporting and data collection program for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery using available technology. NOAA must make the program a priority for funds received through the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act for that region. In conjunction with the states, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and the commercial, charter, and recreational fishing sectors, NOAA must develop and implement a cooperative research program for the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions, giving priority to those fisheries that are considered data-poor. NOAA may use funds from the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act for that research program. The Southeast Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service must develop a schedule of stock surveys and stock assessments for the Gulf of Mexico Region and the South Atlantic Region for the next five-year period and for every five-year period thereafter, giving priority to those stocks that are commercially or recreationally important. The Southeast Science Center must ensure that fisheries information made available through fisheries programs funded under P.L. 112-141 be incorporated as soon as possible into fisheries stock assessments. The offshore jurisdictions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are extended from three miles to nine miles for the recreational management of red snapper. NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management must enter into a cooperative agreement for the funding of stock assessments that are necessitated by any action by the Bureau with respect to offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico that adversely impacts red snapper. (Sec. 14) Alaska may regulate a fishing vessel operating in a fishery in the EEZ off Alaska in the absence of a federal fishery management plan. (Sec. 15) The MSA is the controlling fishery management authority in the case of any conflict between it and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act or the Antiquities Act of 1906. To ensure transparency and consistent management of fisheries throughout their range, any restriction on the management of fish in the EEZ that is necessary to implement a recovery plan under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 must be implemented using the authority under the MSA and in accordance with the processes and time schedules required under the MSA. (Sec. 16) The North Pacific Council may change the pollock harvest cap under the American Fisheries Act as long as the cap does not exceed 24% percent of the pollock available to be harvested in the directed pollock fishery. (Sec. 17) NOAA must establish partnerships with states to develop best practices for implementing state recreational fisheries programs and guidance that details best practices for administering state programs. NOAA must submit and publish biennial reports that include: (1) the estimated accuracy of federal standardized fishing vessel registration and information management systems, (2) priorities for improving recreational fishing data collection, and (3) an explanation of the use of information collected by state programs and NOAA. NOAA must make grants to states to improve implementation of state recreational data collection programs, giving priority to grants for improving the quality and accuracy of the programs. NOAA must enter an agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to study the implementation of recreational data collection programs and report on the results of the study. (Sec. 18) The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission must conduct all fishery stock assessments used for management purposes by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for the fisheries managed under the Council's Reef Fish Management Plan. Those assessments must incorporate fisheries survey information collected by university researchers. Any of those fishery stock assessments conducted after the enactment of this Act must incorporate fishery surveys conducted, and other relevant fisheries information collected on and around natural and artificial reefs. (Sec. 19) NOAA must: (1) publish the estimated cost of recovery from a fishery resource disaster within 30 days from the time the disaster determination is made, and (2) make a decision regarding a disaster decision request within 90 days of receiving that estimate. (Sec. 21) Red snappers that are killed during the removal of any offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico cannot be considered in determining whether the total allowable catch for that fish has been reached. (Sec. 22) Fish that are seized from a foreign vessel engaged in illegal fishing activities in the EEZ cannot be considered in determining the total allowable catch for that fishery. (Sec. 23) The term "subsistence fishing" is defined for purposes of the MSA. The governor of Alaska must consult with interests representing subsistence fishing when submitting nominations for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. (Sec. 24) Any commercial catch share allocation in a fishery in the Gulf of Mexico may only be traded by sale or lease within the same commercial fishing sector. (Sec. 25) If commercial fishing is made available through a fishery management plan for the EEZ in the Arctic Ocean, or an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council must set aside at least 10% of a total allowable catch as an Arctic community development quota for coastal villages located north and east of the Bering Strait. (Sec. 26) In the hiring of individuals to collect information on marine recreational fishing, NOAA must give preference to students studying fisheries conservation and management, water resource issues, or other relevant subjects at an institution of higher education. (Sec. 27) NOAA must enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to study the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico mixed-use fisheries to: (1) provide guidance to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council on criteria that could be used for allocating fishing privileges in the preparation of a fishery management plan, (2) identify sources of information that could reasonably support the use of such criteria in allocation decisions, and (3) develop procedures for allocation reviews and potential adjustments in allocations. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council must review the allocations of all mixed-use fisheries within their respective jurisdictions within two years and perform subsequent reviews every three years thereafter. (Sec. 28) Limited access privilege programs to harvest fish must have a formal and detailed review five years after the implementation of the program. (Sec. 29) NOAA must develop and publish a plan to conduct stock assessments for all stocks of fish for which a fishery management plan is in effect. The plan must be developed and published on the same schedule as required for the strategic plan for fisheries research. A stock assessment is an evaluation of the past, present, and future status of a stock of fish that includes a range of life history characteristics for such stock and fishing for the stock. For each stock of fish for which a stock assessment has previously been conducted, the plan must: (1) establish a schedule for updating the stock assessment that is reasonable given the biology and characteristics of the stock; and (2) require completion of a new stock assessment, or an update of the most recent stock assessment, every five years or within another time period justified by NOAA. For each stock of fish for which a stock assessment has not previously been conducted, the plan must: (1) establish a schedule for conducting an initial stock assessment that is reasonable given the biology and characteristics of the stock, and (2) require completion a new or updated stock of the initial stock assessment within three years after the plan is published unless another time period is justified by NOAA in the plan. The plan must identify data and analysis that would reduce uncertainty in and improve the accuracy of future stock assessments and whether the data and analysis could be provided by fishermen, fishing communities, universities, and research institutions. A stock assessment is not required for a stock of fish in the plan if NOAA determines that the stock assessment is not necessary and justifies the determination in the Federal Register. NOAA must issue the first stock assessment plan within two years. NOAA must develop and publish within a year guidelines that will facilitate greater incorporation of data, analysis, and stock assessments from nongovernmental sources into fisheries management decisions. NOAA and the Councils must use all data and analyses that meet those guidelines as the best scientific information available in fisheries management decisions, unless otherwise determined by the science and statistical committee of the Councils. NOAA must report on the cost-effectiveness of methods to accomplish the goals of applicable programs governing monitoring and enforcement of fishing that is subject to a fishery management plan. (Sec. 31) Each Council is given the authority to use alternative fishery management measures in a recreational fishery (or the recreational component of a mixed-use fishery).