(5) The impacts of climate change on fish are 
resulting in a cascade of management and sustain-
ability challenges, which negatively affect marine 
ecosystems, fishermen, and fishing communities. 
(6) A better understanding of current efforts 
underway by the Regional Fishery Management 
Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Com-
mission, and the National Marine Fisheries Service 
to address the impact of climate change on fishery 
management is needed to ensure our fisheries and 
their marine ecosystems are well prepared for chang-
ing ocean conditions. 
SEC. 3. REPORT ON EFFORTS TO PREPARE AND ADAPT 
UNITED STATES FISHERY MANAGEMENT FOR 
THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit a report to Congress 
examining efforts by the Regional Fishery Management 
Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commis-
sion, and the National Marine Fisheries Service to prepare 
and adapt to the impacts of climate change. 
(b) CONTENTS
OF STUDY.—The report required 
under subsection (a) shall include— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:39 Dec 15, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4679.RH
H4679
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) an examination of current or previous ef-
forts, and whether those efforts have resulted in 
changes to management, by the Regional Fishery 
Management Councils, the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission, and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service to prepare and adapt Federal and 
jointly managed fisheries for the impacts of climate 
change; 
(2) an examination of any guidance issued to 
the Regional Fishery Management Councils by the 
National Marine Fisheries Service to prepare and 
adapt Federal fishery management for the impacts 
of climate change and whether and how that guid-
ance has been utilized; 
(3) identification of and recommendations for 
how best to address the most significant economic, 
social, ecological, or other knowledge gaps, as well as 
key funding gaps, that would increase the ability of 
the Regional Fishery Management Councils, the At-
lantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, or the 
National Marine Fisheries Service to prepare and 
adapt fishery management for the impacts of climate 
change; 
(4) recommendations for how the Regional 
Fishery Management Councils, the Atlantic States 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:39 Dec 15, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4679.RH
H4679
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
Marine Fisheries Commission, and the National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service can better adapt fishery man-
agement and prepare associated fishing industries 
and dependent communities for the impacts of cli-
mate change; and 
(5) recommendations for how to enhance the 
capacity of the National Marine Fisheries Service to 
monitor climate-related changes to fisheries and ma-
rine ecosystems, to understand the mechanisms of 
change, to evaluate risks and priorities, to provide 
forecasts and projections of future conditions, to 
communicate scientific advice, and to better manage 
fisheries under changing conditions due to climate 
change. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:39 Dec 15, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4679.RH
H4679
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:39 Dec 15, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4679.RH
H4679
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 527 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4679 
[Report No. 116–642] 
A BILL 
To require the Comptroller General of the United 
States to submit to Congress a report examining 
efforts by the Regional Fishery Management 
Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
Commission, and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service to prepare and adapt United States fish-
ery management for the impacts of climate 
change, and for other purposes. 
DECEMBER 14, 2020 
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:39 Dec 15, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H4679.RH
H4679
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS