a formal schedule for action to be taken 
within 2 years;’’. 
SEC. 27. HEALTHY FISHERIES THROUGH BETTER SCIENCE. 
(a) DEFINITION OF STOCK ASSESSMENT.—Section 3 
(16 U.S.C. 1802), as amended by section 22(a) of this 
Act, is further amended by redesignating the paragraphs 
after paragraph (42) in order as paragraphs (44) through 
(53), and by inserting after paragraph (42) the following: 
‘‘(43) The term ‘stock assessment’ means an 
evaluation of the past, present, and future status of 
a stock of fish, that includes— 
‘‘(A) a range of life history characteristics 
for such stock, including— 
‘‘(i) the geographical boundaries of 
such stock; and 
‘‘(ii) information on age, growth, nat-
ural mortality, sexual maturity and repro-
duction, feeding habits, and habitat pref-
erences of such stock; and 
‘‘(B) fishing for the stock.’’. 
(b) STOCK ASSESSMENT PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 404 (16 U.S.C. 
1881c), as amended by section 9(d) of this Act, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) STOCK ASSESSMENT PLAN.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop 
and publish in the Federal Register, on the same 
schedule as required for the strategic plan required 
under subsection (b) of this section, a plan to con-
duct stock assessments for all stocks of fish for 
which a fishery management plan is in effect under 
this Act. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The plan shall— 
‘‘(A) for each stock of fish for which a 
stock assessment has previously been con-
ducted— 
‘‘(i) establish a schedule for updating 
the stock assessment that is reasonable 
given the biology and characteristics of the 
stock; and 
‘‘(ii) subject to the availability of ap-
propriations, require completion of a new 
stock assessment, or an update of the most 
recent stock assessment— 
‘‘(I) every 5 years; or 
‘‘(II) within such other time pe-
riod specified and justified by the Sec-
retary in the plan; 
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‘‘(B) for each stock of fish for which a 
stock assessment has not previously been con-
ducted— 
‘‘(i) establish a schedule for con-
ducting an initial stock assessment that is 
reasonable given the biology and character-
istics of the stock; and 
‘‘(ii) subject to the availability of ap-
propriations, require completion of the ini-
tial stock assessment within 3 years after 
the plan is published in the Federal Reg-
ister unless another time period is specified 
and justified by the Secretary in the plan; 
and 
‘‘(C) identify data and analysis, especially 
concerning recreational fishing, that, if avail-
able, would reduce uncertainty in and improve 
the accuracy of future stock assessments, in-
cluding whether such data and analysis could 
be provided by fishermen, fishing communities, 
universities, and research institutions. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER OF STOCK ASSESSMENT REQUIRE-
MENT.—Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A)(ii) and 
(B)(ii), a stock assessment is not required for a 
stock of fish in the plan if the Secretary determines 
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that such a stock assessment is not necessary and 
justifies such determination in the Federal Register 
notice required by this subsection.’’. 
(2) DEADLINE.—Notwithstanding paragraph 
(1) of section 404(f) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fish-
ery Conservation and Management Act, as amended 
by this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
issue the first stock assessment plan under such sec-
tion by not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act. 
(c) IMPROVING SCIENCE.— 
(1) INCORPORATION
OF
INFORMATION
FROM 
WIDE VARIETY OF SOURCES.—Section 2(a)(8) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Man-
agement Act (16 U.S.C. 1801) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: ‘‘Fisheries management 
is most effective when it incorporates information 
provided by governmental and nongovernmental 
sources, including State and Federal agency staff, 
fishermen, fishing communities, universities, and re-
search institutions. As appropriate, such information 
should be considered the best scientific information 
available and form the basis of conservation and 
management measures as required by this Act.’’. 
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(2) IMPROVING DATA COLLECTION AND ANAL-
YSIS.—Section 404 (16 U.S.C. 1881c), as amended 
by this section, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(g) IMPROVING DATA COLLECTION
AND ANAL-
YSIS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Councils acting in reliance on their 
science and statistical committees established under 
section 302(g), shall develop and publish in the Fed-
eral Register guidelines that will facilitate greater 
incorporation of data, analysis, and stock assess-
ments from nongovernmental sources, including fish-
ermen, fishing communities, universities, and re-
search institutions, into fisheries management deci-
sions. 
‘‘(2) CONTENT.—The guidelines shall— 
‘‘(A) identify types of data and analysis, 
especially concerning recreational fishing, that 
can be reliably used as the basis for estab-
lishing conservation and management measures 
as required by section 303(a)(1), including set-
ting standards for the collection and use of 
such data and analysis in stock assessments 
and for other purposes; and 
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