What does Preamble of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To improve the management of forage fish'.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025.

What does FINDINGS. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The amendment adds a finding regarding forage fish. It defines forage fish as small to intermediate-sized species that are a key energy pathway in marine ecosystems. The finding highlights that fluctuations in forage fish populations can significantly impact marine communities and ecosystems. The amendment emphasizes the importance of managing forage fish to maintain ecosystem function and sustainable fisheries.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It requires the Secretary to define 'forage fish' within 12 months of the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025's enactment. The definition of 'forage fish' must consider factors like low trophic level, size, aggregation, diet contribution, and energy transfer. The Act redesignates several paragraphs within Section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It establishes that 'forage fish' has the meaning defined by the Secretary under section 305(l). For species in plans approved by the Secretary, 'forage fish' is any species identified as such in the plan. The term 'low trophic level' is defined as a position in the marine food web where fish generally consume plankton.

What does SCIENTIFIC ADVICE. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 302(g)(1)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Scientific and statistical committees are required to provide ongoing scientific advice to Councils for fishery management decisions. Recommendations must include acceptable biological catch, preventing overfishing, and maximum sustainable yield. Advice should also cover achieving rebuilding targets and maintaining forage fish populations. Reports on stock status, health, bycatch, habitat status, social and economic impacts, and fishing practice sustainability are required.

What does COUNCIL FUNCTIONS. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It adds 'forage fish populations and distribution' to the research priorities outlined in section 302(h)(7). It adds a new requirement for regional fishery management councils to develop a list of unmanaged forage fish and recommend prohibiting new directed forage fish fisheries. The new requirement mandates that councils consider scientific information, evaluate potential impacts, determine if management is needed, and prepare a fishery management plan or amendment if necessary. The amendments made by this section will take effect two years after the Act's enactment.

What does CONTENTS OF FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The amendments modify definitions related to fishery management plans. Specifically, it adds a requirement to assess and specify annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries based on the diet needs of other marine wildlife. The amendments made by this section will take effect 5 years after the enactment of this Act.

What does ACTION BY SECRETARY OF COMMERCE. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It redesignates subsection (i) as subsection (j). It adds a new subsection (k) regarding Forage Fish Management Guidelines. The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with Councils, must establish guidelines within 18 months of the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025's enactment. These guidelines are intended to assist Councils in implementing specific sections of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Secretary is required to conduct workshops with Councils and other relevant interests when developing the guidelines.

What does RIVER HERRING AND SHAD. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section defines 'river herring' as blueback herring and alewife, and 'shad' as American shad and hickory shad. The Secretary of Commerce must amend fishery management plans for Atlantic Herring and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish fisheries to include shad and river herring as managed stocks within 180 days of the Act's enactment. Further amendments to these plans are required within one year to develop conservation and management measures. Existing resources must be reallocated to ensure at least 50% of fishing trips using mid-water trawl gear have at-sea observers or equivalent monitoring. These requirements supersede any other law, rule, or fishery management plan provision.

What does RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. of Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a rule of construction for the Act. The Act does not extend or diminish the jurisdiction or authority of any State within its boundaries. The Act does not affect section 306 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Act does not affect the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.

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Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025

Last updated: 6/4/2025 · Introduced: 6/4/2025

Author: Debbie Dingell (D-MI)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to formally define 'forage fish' and emphasize their importance in marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries.
Regional fishery management councils are now required to identify unmanaged forage fish and recommend prohibiting new directed fisheries, considering scientific information and potential impacts.
The Secretary of Commerce must establish guidelines to assist councils in managing forage fish, and fishery management plans must assess and specify annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries based on the needs of other marine wildlife.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 8 more.

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