Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act

Bill: 117-s-273
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Fishes
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Pacific Ocean

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act

 
This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.
 
Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States.The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone for five years.
 
The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources. 
 
Commerce must award grants to program participants.
 
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council may recommend and Commerce may approve regulations that require charter operators to pay fees on vessels that harvest Pacific halibut in specific International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory areas.

action_date: 2021-09-14
text: 

Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act

 
This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.
 
Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States.The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone for five years.
 
The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources. 
 
Commerce must award grants to program participants.
 
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council may recommend and Commerce may approve regulations that require charter operators to pay fees on vessels that harvest Pacific halibut in specific International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-17
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2021-09-17
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2021-09-14
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote. (text: CR S6481)
action_date: 2021-09-14
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.(text: CR S6481)
action_date: 2021-09-14
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6480-6481)
action_date: 2021-09-14
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-09-14
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S574-575)
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate