I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5699 
To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration to reform the Marine Recreational Information Program 
of the National Marine Fisheries Service, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 6, 2025 
Mr. RUTHERFORD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to reform the Marine Rec-
reational Information Program of the National Marine 
Fisheries Service, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fisheries Data Mod-
ernization and Accuracy Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, acting 
through the Director of the National Marine Fish-
eries Service. 
(2) FISHERY.—The term ‘‘fishery’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Magnu-
son-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1802). 
(3) INDEPENDENT ENTITY.—The term ‘‘inde-
pendent entity’’— 
(A) means an entity that— 
(i) is not a unit of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration; and 
(ii) has expertise in areas of science 
related to fishery stock assessments; and 
(B) includes— 
(i) 
the 
National 
Academies 
of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and 
(ii) an institution of higher education 
(as such term is defined in section 101 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001)). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(4) MRIP.—The term ‘‘MRIP’’ means the Ma-
rine Recreational Information Program of the Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service. 
(5) NATIONAL
ACADEMIES.—The term ‘‘Na-
tional Academies’’ means the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 
(6) PSE.—The term ‘‘PSE’’ means the percent 
standard error. 
(7) PULSE SPECIES.—The term ‘‘pulse species’’ 
means a species that, due to regulatory constraints 
or the movement or availability of the species on a 
seasonal basis— 
(A) is caught— 
(i) on an intermittent or infrequent 
basis; or 
(ii) only during an abbreviated time-
frame; and 
(B) is likely not sampled in a representa-
tive manner by data collected through the 
MRIP. 
(8) REGIONAL
FISHERY
MANAGEMENT
COUN-
CIL.—The term ‘‘Regional Fishery Management 
Council’’ means a Regional Fishery Management 
Council established under section 302 of the Magnu-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
son-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1852). 
(9) REGIONAL
STATE
FISHERIES
COMMIS-
SION.—The term ‘‘regional State fisheries commis-
sion’’ means each of— 
(A) the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
Commission; 
(B) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Com-
mission; and 
(C) the Pacific States Marine Fisheries 
Commission. 
(10) 
SCIENTIFIC
AND
STATISTICAL
COM-
MITTEE.—The term ‘‘scientific and statistical com-
mittee’’ means a scientific and statistical committee 
established pursuant to section 302(g) of the Mag-
nuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Manage-
ment Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(g)). 
(11) SEASONAL FISHERY.—The term ‘‘seasonal 
fishery’’ means a fishery— 
(A) that is subject to an annual closed sea-
son; or 
(B) that may be affected by in- or post- 
season accountability measures that result in 
fishing or harvest closures. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 16, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(12) 
STANDING
COMMITTEE.—The 
term 
‘‘standing committee’’ means the standing com-
mittee established pursuant to section 3(b)(1). 
(13) STOCK
OF
FISH.—The term ‘‘stock of 
fish’’ has the meaning given the term in section 3 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802). 
(14) WAVE.—The term ‘‘wave’’ means the 
shortest period in which MRIP data are aggregated 
and reported for use in management decisions. 
SEC. 3. RECREATIONAL FISHING DATA COLLECTION RE-
FORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall reform 
the MRIP in effect as of the date of the enactment of 
this section to meet the unique needs of individual regions 
and States, taking into consideration the needs of State- 
level programs related to recreational fishing catch and 
effort surveys in effect as of the date of the enactment 
of this section to ensure that such reform does not unnec-
essarily dilute the effectiveness of such programs. 
(b) NATIONAL ACADEMIES.— 
(1) STANDING COMMITTEE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall enter into an agreement with the National 
Academies to establish a standing committee 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
within the National Academies that shall meet 
regularly to discuss issues related to rec-
reational fisheries data collection and manage-
ment. 
(B) INDEPENDENCE.—In carrying out this 
subsection, the standing committee shall oper-
ate independently and without the influence of 
the Administrator. 
(C) COMPOSITION.—The standing com-
mittee shall include individuals who are experts 
in recreational fisheries data collection and 
management, including representatives from 
State fish and wildlife agencies. 
(2) CONSULTATION REGARDING PSE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the PSE for data 
collected through the MRIP for a given sea-
sonal fishery reaches or exceeds 30 percent in 
a given wave, or if a State submits a petition 
with respect to a given seasonal fishery under 
paragraph (4), the Administrator shall consult 
with the standing committee regarding op-
tions— 
(i) to reduce the PSE of such sea-
sonal fishery; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(ii) if reducing the PSE of such sea-
sonal fishery is not practicable, to adjust 
the management of such seasonal fishery, 
including by using— 
(I) the management approaches 
described in section 302(h)(8) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conserva-
tion and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1852(h)(8)); or 
(II) multi-year annual catch lim-
its, including block average annual 
catch limits of up to 3 years. 
(B) REPORT.—After the Administrator 
consults with the standing committee under 
subparagraph (A) with respect to a seasonal 
fishery described in that subparagraph, the Ad-
ministrator shall, not later than 6 months after 
the date on which either the PSE for data col-
lected through the MRIP for such seasonal fish-
ery exceeds 30 percent in a given wave or the 
Administrator receives a petition submitted by 
a State under paragraph (4), publish a report 
specifying— 
(i) the options considered under that 
subparagraph (A); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(ii) the recommendation of the Ad-
ministrator regarding how— 
(I) to reduce the PSE for data 
collected through the MRIP for such 
seasonal fishery; or 
(II) to adjust the management of 
such seasonal fishery in a manner 
that allows continued access and con-
siders recommendations contained in 
the report submitted to Congress 
under section 102 of the Modernizing 
Recreational Fisheries Management 
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–405); 
and 
(iii) the reasoning, written in a man-
ner easily understood by the public, for 
giving such recommendation. 
(C) REGIONAL
FISHERY
MANAGEMENT 
COUNCIL.—If the Administrator publishes a re-
port under subparagraph (B) with respect to a 
seasonal fishery described in subparagraph (A), 
the Administrator shall send such report to the 
relevant Regional Fishery Management Council 
for consideration. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(3) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out para-
graphs (1) and (2), the Administrator and the 
standing committee shall consider issues including 
the following: 
(A) Whether the data collected through the 
MRIP is appropriate and useful for manage-
ment decisions, including options to improve 
data collection methods. 
(B) The extent to which existing and po-
tential data collection options are— 
(i) burdensome to anglers; and 
(ii) an efficient or appropriate use of 
resources. 
(C) Whether and to what extent specific 
recommendations from the report published by 
the National Academies titled ‘‘Data and Man-
agement Strategies for Recreational Fisheries 
with Annual Catch Limits’’ (2021) and other 
relevant National Academies activities can and 
should be applied in light of the particular con-
text of the fishery being considered. 
(4) PETITION TO INITIATE CONSULTATION.—A 
State may submit to the Administrator a petition for 
the Administrator to initiate the consultation process 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
under paragraph (2) with respect to a given seasonal 
fishery if— 
(A) the PSE for data collected through the 
MRIP for such seasonal fishery is— 
(i) significantly greater or less than 
the preceding 3-year average PSE for such 
seasonal fishery; or 
(ii) substantially greater than the 
PSE for data collected through State sur-
veys for such seasonal fishery; or 
(B) data collected through the MRIP for 
such seasonal fishery is unreliable because the 
stock of fish of such seasonal fishery is a pulse 
species. 
(5) COMBINED REPORTS.—In carrying out this 
subsection, the Administrator may carry out a single 
consultation with the standing committee under 
paragraph (2) with respect to 2 or more species if 
the Administrator and the standing committee joint-
ly determine the underlying issues that triggered the 
consultation are highly similar. 
(c) ALTERNATIVE TO MRIP.—If, after consultation 
with the standing committee and relevant States, the Ad-
ministrator determines that it is not practicable to reduce 
the PSE for data collected through the MRIP for a given 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
seasonal fishery to 30 percent or less, the Administrator, 
in collaboration with the standing committee and relevant 
States and stakeholders, may develop alternative data col-
lection and monitoring methodologies and, subject to peer 
review and validation, use such alternative data collection 
and monitoring methodologies in place of the MRIP for 
such seasonal fishery. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to override the role of the scientific 
and statistical committees in advising the Regional Fish-
ery Management Councils regarding recommendations de-
veloped pursuant to this section. 
SEC. 4. STATE RECREATIONAL FISHERY CATCH AND EF-
FORT DATA COLLECTION. 
(a) STATE RECREATIONAL FISHERY CATCH AND EF-
FORT DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A State may, subject to the 
approval of the Administrator, carry out a program 
within the waters of such State and Federal waters 
to collect recreational fishing catch and effort data 
for individual, or sets of, species that are federally 
managed. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—If a State carries out a 
program under paragraph (1), the head of such pro-
gram shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(A) ensure that such program complies 
with paragraph (3); 
(B) collect recreational fishery catch and 
effort data with respect to such State; 
(C) report such data that is necessary for 
Federal management to the Administrator in a 
manner and timeliness that complies with sec-
tion 401 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con-
servation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1881); and 
(D) take into consideration the burden of 
such program to the average angler such that 
such program is not overly burdensome to the 
point that substantial noncompliance would be 
expected. 
(3) DATA REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator, 
in consultation with the regional State fisheries com-
missions, shall, with respect to data collected 
through a recreational fishery catch and effort data 
collection program of a State carried out under this 
subsection— 
(A) establish universal standards regarding 
the collection of such data, including ensuring 
that such standards— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(i) allow for flexibility in the design of 
such programs to account for differences 
in recreational fishing activity between 
States; and 
(ii) facilitate the collection of com-
parable data between States within a re-
gion for the purposes of stock assessments 
and management; and 
(B) not later than 3 years after the date 
on which a State first reports such data, de-
velop and implement a plan to use such data— 
(i) without calibration to data col-
lected pursuant to any Federal program, 
including the MRIP; and 
(ii) as the baseline for the calibration 
of historic estimates of recreational catch 
in place of data collected through the 
MRIP. 
(4) USE OF STATE DATA.— 
(A) IN FEDERAL STOCK ASSESSMENTS AND 
REGULATORY ACTIONS.—Data collected through 
a recreational fishery catch and effort data col-
lection program of a State carried out under 
this subsection may be used in Federal stock 
assessments and regulatory actions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) IN PLACE OF MRIP DATA.—If a State 
collects data pursuant to this subsection that is 
collected pursuant to the MRIP, the Adminis-
trator shall use the data collected by the State 
in place of the data collected pursuant to the 
MRIP, including with respect to management 
decisions. 
(C) CALIBRATION WITH MRIP DATA.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—As applicable, data 
collected through the MRIP— 
(I) shall be calibrated to data col-
lected through a recreational fishery 
catch and effort data collection pro-
gram of a State carried out under this 
subsection; and 
(II) may only be so calibrated 
after the data described in subclause 
(I) is compared to data collected 
through such a program of another 
State. 
(ii) 
PROHIBITION.—Data 
collected 
through a recreational fishery catch and 
effort data collection program of a State 
carried out under this subsection may not 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
be calibrated to data collected through the 
MRIP. 
(5) SUBSEQUENT FUNDING.—Upon approval by 
the Administrator of a recreational fishery catch and 
effort data collection program of a State under para-
graph (1), funding previously allocated to such State 
for the collection of recreational fishery catch and ef-
fort data through the MRIP shall continue to be al-
located to such State for such State to carry out 
such program of the State. 
(b) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the 
Administrator shall establish and carry out a grant 
program to award amounts to States to develop, 
with respect to each such State, a new, or improve 
an existing, program described in subsection (a). 
(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible for a grant 
under this subsection, a State shall submit to the 
Administrator an application in such form, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Admin-
istrator determines appropriate. 
(3) USE OF FUNDS.—A State that is awarded 
a grant under this subsection shall use such 
award— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(A) to support the development or im-
provement of a program described in subsection 
(a) of such State; 
(B) to enhance the timeliness of reporting 
by such State of data collected by such State 
through such program; and 
(C) to increase the accuracy and precision 
of the data collected by such State pursuant to 
such program. 
(4) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this 
subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to 
applications— 
(A) based on the ability of the award to re-
duce the uncertainty of data collected through 
the MRIP, including with respect to— 
(i) economically or socially important 
species; 
(ii) species a fishery of which has had 
a fishing season substantially reduced or 
full annual closures proposed; and 
(iii) species a fishery of which is at 
risk of closing another fishery because the 
management of both fisheries are inter-
mingled; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) that would alter or improve an existing 
State program carried out under subsection (a) 
to meet the requirements under subsection 
(a)(3). 
(c) REPORT.—On the date that is 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this section, and biennially there-
after, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees and make publicly available a re-
port regarding the implementation of this section that in-
cludes— 
(1) the number of States that have participated 
in the grant program established under subsection 
(b); 
(2) a description of each State recreational fish-
ery catch and effort data collection program; 
(3) a description of how the Administrator in-
corporates data collected pursuant to each such pro-
gram in fishery stock assessments, fishery manage-
ment decisions, and catch monitoring; and 
(4) an analysis regarding the improvement in 
data precision and the accuracy of data collected 
pursuant to each such program compared to data 
collected through the MRIP. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to negate, uncertify, or otherwise 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
undo existing State programs to collect recreational fish-
ing catch and effort data. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to 
carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2031. 
SEC. 5. HEALTHY FISHERIES THROUGH BETTER SCIENCE. 
(a) DEFINITION OF STOCK ASSESSMENT.—Section 3 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Man-
agement Act (16 U.S.C. 1802) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (43) through 
(50) as paragraphs (44) through (51), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (42) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(43) The term ‘stock assessment’ means an 
evaluation of the past, present, and future status of 
a stock of fish, including— 
‘‘(A) a range of life history characteristics 
for such stock of fish, including, to the extent 
practicable— 
‘‘(i) the geographical boundaries of 
such stock of fish; and 
‘‘(ii) 
information 
regarding 
age, 
growth, natural mortality, sexual maturity 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
and reproduction, feeding habits, and habi-
tat preferences of such stock of fish; and 
‘‘(B) fishing for the stock of fish.’’; and 
(3) by redesignating the second paragraph (33) 
as paragraph (52). 
(b) STOCK ASSESSMENT PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 404 of the Magnu-
son-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1881c) is 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 each strategic plan required 
under subsection (b), a plan to conduct stock assess-
ments for priority stocks of fish for which a fishery 
management plan is in effect under this Act. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each plan described in para-
graph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) for each priority stock of fish for 
which a stock assessment has previously been 
conducted— 
‘‘(i) establish a schedule for updating 
the stock assessment that is reasonable 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
given the biology and characteristics of the 
stock of fish; 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 priority stock of fish for 
which a stock assessment has not previously 
been conducted— 
‘‘(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 not later than 3 
years after the date on which the plan is 
published in the Federal Register unless 
another time period is specified and justi-
fied by the Secretary in the plan; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C)(i) identify data and analysis, includ-
ing both data and analysis that is and is not 
available at the time the plan is prepared, that 
would reduce the uncertainty, improve the accu-
racy, and increase the efficiency of future stock 
assessments; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to data and analysis 
identified under clause (i), determine whether 
such data and analysis could be provided by 
fishermen, fishing communities, universities, 
and research institutions, to the extent that the 
use of such data would be consistent with the 
requirements in section 301(a)(2). 
‘‘(3) WAIVER OF STOCK ASSESSMENT REQUIRE-
MENT.—Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A)(ii) and 
(B)(ii) of paragraph (2), a stock assessment is not 
required for a stock of fish in the plan described in 
paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such 
stock assessment is not necessary and justifies such 
determination in the Federal Register notice re-
quired by this subsection.’’. 
(2) 
DEADLINE.—Notwithstanding 
section 
404(f)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con-
servation 
and 
Management 
Act 
(16 
U.S.C. 
1881c(f)(1)), as added by this section, the Secretary 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
of Commerce shall issue the first stock assessment 
plan under section 404(f) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1881c(f)), as added by this section, not later 
than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this 
section. 
SEC. 
6. 
FISHERY-INDEPENDENT 
SURVEYS 
BY 
INDE-
PENDENT ENTITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish 
a program to enter into contracts with independent enti-
ties on a competitive basis under which such independent 
entities shall conduct fishery-independent surveys de-
signed to estimate the absolute abundance of stocks of fish 
included in the Fish Stock Sustainability Index on behalf 
of the Administrator. 
(b) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to enter into a 
contract under the program established under subsection 
(a), an independent entity shall submit to the Adminis-
trator an application in such form, at such time, and con-
taining such information as the Administrator determines 
appropriate, including evidence of the following: 
(1) Use by the independent entity of modern or 
cutting-edge science. 
(2) The ability of the independent entity to 
handle data in a reliable manner. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(c) USE OF DATA.—Upon favorable peer review, the 
Administrator, in consultation with the relevant scientific 
and statistical committees and independent entity and 
with consideration of the report submitted under section 
7, shall incorporate data collected pursuant to a fishery- 
independent abundance survey conducted by an inde-
pendent entity under the program established under sub-
section (a) in management decisions. 
(d) REPORT.—The Administrator shall annually sub-
mit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report re-
garding the findings of surveys conducted pursuant to this 
section and the incorporation of the results of such surveys 
in management decisions pursuant to subsection (c). 
SEC. 7. REPORT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this section, the National Academies, in consultation 
with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico 
Studies, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and make publicly available a report regarding— 
(1) the incorporation of the results of the study 
titled ‘‘Estimating the Absolute Abundance of Age- 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
2+ Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the 
U.S. Gulf of Mexico’’ (August 16, 2021) in manage-
ment decisions of the National Marine Fisheries 
Service; and 
(2) recommendations regarding the incorpora-
tion of data collected pursuant to section 6 in man-
agement decisions of the National Marine Fisheries 
Service. 
SEC. 8. TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC PROCESS. 
(a) ADVICE.—Section 302(g)(1)(B) of the Magnuson- 
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1852(g)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: ‘‘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) of the Magnuson- 
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1852(i)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(G) Each Council shall make available on the 
internet website of the Council— 
‘‘(i) with respect to each meeting of the 
Council and Council coordination committee es-
tablished under subsection (l) that is not closed 
in accordance with paragraph (3), to the extent 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
practicable, a Webcast, live audio recording, or 
live broadcast of each such meeting; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to each meeting of the 
Council and of the scientific and statistical 
committee established by the Council under 
subsection (g)(1)(A) that is not closed in ac-
cordance with paragraph (3), by not later than 
30 days after the conclusion of each such meet-
ing, an audio or video (if the meeting was held 
in person or by video conference) recording or 
a searchable audio or written transcript of each 
such meeting. 
‘‘(H) The Secretary shall maintain and make 
available to the public an archive of each recording 
and transcript made available under subparagraph 
(G).’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:47 Oct 10, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5699.IH
H5699
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS