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 10(d) of this Act, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) STOCK ASSESSMENT PLAN.— 
‘‘(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; 
‘‘(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 
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.’’. 
(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 
‘‘(B) provide specific guidance for col-
lecting data and performing analyses identified 
as necessary to reduce the uncertainty referred 
to in section 404(f)(2)(C). 
‘‘(3) ACCEPTANCE
AND
USE
OF
DATA
AND 
ANALYSES.—The Secretary and Regional Fishery 
Management Councils shall—
‘‘(A) use all data and analyses that meet 
the guidelines published under paragraph (1) as 
the best scientific information available for pur-
poses of this Act in fisheries management deci-
sions, unless otherwise determined by the 
science and statistical committee of the Coun-
cils established pursuant to section 302(g) of 
the Act; and 
‘‘(B) explain in the Federal Register notice 
announcing the fishery management decision 
how such data and analyses have been used to 
establish conservation and management meas-
ures.’’. 
(3) DEADLINE.—The Secretary of Commerce 
shall develop and publish guidelines under the 
amendment made by paragraph (2) by not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) COST REDUCTION REPORT.—Within 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Com-
merce, in consultation with the Regional Fishery Manage-
ment Councils, shall submit a report to Congress that, 
with respect to each fishery governed by a fishery manage-
ment plan in effect under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.)—
(1) identifies the goals of the applicable pro-
grams governing monitoring and enforcement of 
fishing that is subject to such plan; 
(2) identifies methods to accomplish those 
goals, including human observers, electronic moni-
toring, and vessel monitoring systems; 
(3) certifies which such methods are most cost- 
effective for fishing that is subject to such plan; and 
(4) explains why such most-cost-effective meth-
ods are not required, if applicable. 
SEC. 30. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1803) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘(7)’’ and inserting ‘‘this Act’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2013’’ and inserting 
‘‘each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019’’. 
SEC. 31. AUTHORITY TO USE ALTERNATIVE FISHERY MAN-
AGEMENT MEASURES. 
Section 302(h) (16 U.S.C. 1852(h)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (8) as para-
graph (9); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7), the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(8) have the authority to use alternative fish-
ery management measures in a recreational fishery
(or the recreational component of a mixed-use fish-
ery), including extraction rates, fishing mortality 
targets, and harvest control rules, in developing a 
fishery management plan, plan amendment, or pro-
posed regulations.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 1, 2015. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1335 
AN ACT 
To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conserva-
tion and Management Act to provide flexibility 
for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, 
and for other purposes.