Fluke Fairness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-908
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Atlantic Ocean
Congressional oversight
Fishes
Government studies and investigations
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Fluke Fairness Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to submit for approval by the Department of Commerce a modified fishery management plan for the commercial and recreational management of summer flounder, or an amendment to the plan, that
 
 
 is based on the best scientific information available; 
 
 establishes commercial quotas in direct proportion to the distribution, abundance, and location of summer flounder as reflected by fishery independent surveys conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service and state agencies; 
 
 considers regional, coastwide, or other management measures that comply with national standards under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and 
 
 prohibits the establishment of commercial catch quotas on a state-by-state basis using historical landings data that does not reflect the status of the summer flounder stock, based on the most recent scientific information. 
 
 
Commerce must prepare and consider a plan if the council fails to submit the modifications or amendments.
 
The Government Accountability Office must assess and report on whether the subsequent implementation of the approved plan or amendment complies with national standards.

action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Fluke Fairness Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to submit for approval by the Department of Commerce a modified fishery management plan for the commercial and recreational management of summer flounder, or an amendment to the plan, that
 
 
 is based on the best scientific information available; 
 
 establishes commercial quotas in direct proportion to the distribution, abundance, and location of summer flounder as reflected by fishery independent surveys conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service and state agencies; 
 
 considers regional, coastwide, or other management measures that comply with national standards under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and 
 
 prohibits the establishment of commercial catch quotas on a state-by-state basis using historical landings data that does not reflect the status of the summer flounder stock, based on the most recent scientific information. 
 
 
Commerce must prepare and consider a plan if the council fails to submit the modifications or amendments.
 
The Government Accountability Office must assess and report on whether the subsequent implementation of the approved plan or amendment complies with national standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 317.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-167.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-167.
action_date: 2019-04-03
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2049-2050)
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate