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. Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is the following: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. Title I—Amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Sec. 101. Definitions. Sec. 102. References. Sec. 103. Flexibility in rebuilding fish stocks. Sec. 104. Modifications to the annual catch limit requirement. Sec. 105. Distinguishing between overfished and depleted. Sec. 106. Transparency and public process. Sec. 107. Limitation on future catch share programs. Sec. 108. Report on fee. Sec. 109. Data collection and data confidentiality. Sec. 110. Cooperative research and management program. Sec. 111. Council jurisdiction for overlapping fisheries. Sec. 112. Gulf of Mexico fisheries cooperative research and red snapper management. Sec. 113. North Pacific fishery management clarification. Sec. 114. Ensuring consistent management for fisheries throughout their range. Sec. 115. Limitation on harvest in North Pacific directed pollock fishery. Sec. 116. Recreational fishing data. Sec. 117. Stock assessments used for fisheries managed under Gulf of Mexico Council’s Reef Fish Management Plan. Sec. 118. Estimation of cost of recovery from fishery resource disaster. Sec. 119. Deadline for action on request by Governor for determination regarding fishery resource disaster. Sec. 120. Prohibition on considering red snapper killed during removal of oil rigs. Sec. 121. Prohibition on considering fish seized from foreign fishing. Sec. 122. Subsistence fishing. Sec. 123. Inter-sector trading of commercial catch share allocations in the Gulf of Mexico. Sec. 124. Authorization of appropriations. Title II—Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Sec. 201. Short title. Sec. 202. Findings; purpose. Sec. 203. Refinancing of Pacific Coast groundfish fishing capacity reduction loan. I Amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 101. Definitions Any term used in this title that is defined in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 102. References Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this title 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.). 103. 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 104. 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. . 105. 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' means, with respect to a stock of fish or stock complex, that the stock or stock complex has a biomass that has declined below a level that jeopardizes the capacity of the stock or stock complex to produce maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis. . (b) Substitution of term The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 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. 106. 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) 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 the procedures of this section shall constitute fulfillment of the requirements the National Environmental Policy Improvement Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and all related implementing regulations. . (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 . (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. 107. 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. 108. 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. . 109. 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)), may, in accordance with the regulations, on a fishery-by-fishery basis and consistent with the existing objectives and management goals of a fishery management plan and the Act for a fishery issued by the Council or the Secretary, respectively, amend such plan— (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. . 110. 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. . 111. 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 112. 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. 113. 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 114. 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.) or the Antiquities Act of 1906 ( 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 4 the following: Sec. 5. Ensuring consistent fisheries management under certain other Federal laws. . 115. 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 (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. . 116. 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). . 117. 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 inserting after the item relating to section 408 the following: Sec. 409. Stock assessments used for fisheries managed under Gulf of Mexico Council's Reef Fish Management Plan. . 118. 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. . 119. 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. . 120. 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. 121. 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.) the total allowable catch for that fishery. 122. 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 123. 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. . 124. 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 2014 through 2018 II Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific 201. Short title This title may be cited as the Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act REFI Pacific Act 202. Findings; purpose (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) In 2000, the Secretary of Commerce declared the West Coast groundfish fishery a Federal fisheries economic disaster due to low stock abundance, an overcapitalized fleet, and historically overfished stocks. (2) Section 212 of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 (title II of division B of Public Law 108–7 (3) In 2003, Congress authorized the $35,700,000 buyback loan, creating the Pacific Coast groundfish fishing capacity reduction program through the National Marine Fisheries Service fisheries finance program with a term of 30 years. The interest rate of the buyback loan was fixed at 6.97 percent and is paid back based on an ex-vessel fee landing rate not to exceed 5 percent for the loan. (4) The groundfish fishing capacity reduction program resulted in the removal of limited entry trawl Federal fishing permits from the fishery, representing approximately 46 percent of total landings at the time. (5) Because of an absence of a repayment mechanism, $4,243,730 in interest accrued before fee collection procedures were established in 2005, over 18 months after the groundfish fishing capacity reduction program was initiated. (6) In 2011, the West Coast groundfish fishery transitioned to an individual fishing quota fishery, which is a type of catch share program. (7) By 2015, West Coast groundfish fishermen’s expenses are expected to include fees of approximately $450 per day for observers, a 3-percent cost recovery fee as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801) for catch share programs, and a 5-percent ex-vessel landings rate for the loan repayment, which could reach 18 percent of their total gross revenue. (8) In 2012, the West Coast groundfish limited entry trawl fishery generated $63,000,000, an increase from an average of $45,000,000 during the years 2006 to 2011. This revenue is expected to continue to increase post-rationalization. (b) Purpose The purpose of this title is to refinance the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery fishing capacity reduction program to protect and conserve the West Coast groundfish fishery and the coastal economies in California, Oregon, and Washington that rely on it. 203. Refinancing of Pacific Coast groundfish fishing capacity reduction loan (a) In general The Secretary of Commerce, upon receipt of such assurances as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, shall issue a loan to refinance the existing debt obligation funding the fishing capacity reduction program for the West Coast groundfish fishery implemented under section 212 of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 (title II of division B of Public Law 108–7 (b) Applicable law Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall issue the loan under this section in accordance with subsections (b) through (e) of section 312 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1861a 53702 53735 (c) Loan term (1) In general Notwithstanding section 53735(c)(4) (2) Extension Notwithstanding paragraph (1) and if there is an outstanding balance on the loan after the period described in paragraph (1), a loan under this section shall have a maturity of 45 years or until the loan is repaid in full. (d) Limitation on fee amount Notwithstanding section 312(d)(2)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1861a(d)(2)(B) (e) Interest rate (1) In general Notwithstanding section 53702(b)(2) (2) Subloans Each subloan under the loan authorized by this section— (A) shall receive the interest rate described in paragraph (1); and (B) may be paid off at any time notwithstanding subsection (c)(1). (f) Ex-Vessel landing fee (1) Calculations and accuracy The Secretary shall set the ex-vessel landing fee to be collected for payment of the loan under this section— (A) as low as possible, based on recent landings value in the fishery, to meet the requirements of loan repayment; (B) upon issuance of the loan in accordance with paragraph (2); and (C) on a regular interval not to exceed every 5 years beginning on the date of issuance of the loan. (2) Deadline for initial ex-vessel landings fee calculation Not later than 60 days after the date of issuance of the loan under this section, the Secretary shall recalculate the ex-vessel landing fee based on the most recent value of the fishery. (g) Authorization There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this section an amount equal to 1 percent of the amount of the loan authorized under this section for purposes of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.). December 22, 2014 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 - Revises and reauthorizes through FY2018 the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Revises requirements for fishery management plans for overfished fisheries. Modifies annual catch limit requirements, including by authorizing Regional Fishery Management Councils to consider changes in an ecosystem and the economic needs of the fishing communities when establishing the limits. Replaces the term “overfished” with “depleted” throughout the MSA to distinguish between fish that are depleted due to fishing and those that are depleted for other reasons. Requires fishery management plans to include a fishery impact statement to assess, specify, and analyze the likely effects and impacts of the proposed action on the quality of the human environment. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations governing the use of electronic monitoring of fisheries. Authorizes the Secretary to obligate amounts received as fisheries enforcement penalties for collecting information on data-poor fisheries. Requires the Secretary to publish within a year a plan for implementing the Cooperative Research and Management Program. Extends the offshore jurisdiction of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from three miles to nine miles for the recreational management of red snapper. Specifies the role of the MSA in relationship to certain environmental laws. Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act or the REFI Pacific Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue a loan to refinance the existing debt obligation funding the fishing capacity reduction program for the West Coast groundfish fishery implemented under the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003.