What does Preamble of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This bill requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to reform the Marine Recreational Information Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The bill's stated purpose is to reform the Marine Recreational Information Program.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. The term 'Administrator' refers to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The definition of 'fishery' and 'stock of fish' are derived from section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. An 'independent entity' is defined as one not part of NOAA with expertise in fishery stock assessments, including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and institutions of higher education. MRIP is defined as the Marine Recreational Information Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service. A 'pulse species' is a species caught infrequently or during a limited timeframe, potentially not sampled representatively by MRIP data. Regional Fishery Management Councils are those established under section 302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Regional State fisheries commissions include the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commissions. The 'scientific and statistical committee' is established under section 302(g) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

What does RECREATIONAL FISHING DATA COLLECTION REFORM. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Administrator to reform the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) to meet the needs of individual regions and States. A standing committee within the National Academies will be established to discuss recreational fisheries data collection and management, operating independently. If the Percent Standard Error (PSE) for MRIP data exceeds 30 percent, or a State submits a petition, the Administrator must consult with the standing committee on options to reduce the PSE or adjust fishery management. The Administrator must publish a report within six months detailing options considered, recommendations, and reasoning, making it accessible to the public. States can petition the Administrator to initiate consultation if PSE data significantly deviates from previous averages or State surveys, or if data is unreliable due to a pulse species. The Administrator may develop alternative data collection methodologies if reducing the PSE to 30 percent or less is not practicable, subject to peer review. The Administrator and standing committee must consider data appropriateness, angler burden, resource efficiency, and recommendations from the National Academies report titled ``Data and Management Strategies for Recreational Fisheries with Annual Catch Limits''.

What does STATE RECREATIONAL FISHERY CATCH AND EFFORT DATA COLLECTION. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a program allowing States to collect recreational fishing catch and effort data in both state and federal waters, subject to Administrator approval. States carrying out this program must comply with data requirements, report data to the Administrator, and consider the burden on anglers. The Administrator will establish universal data collection standards, allowing for flexibility between states and facilitating comparable data for stock assessments. The Administrator is directed to develop a plan to use state-collected data independently of the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) and as a baseline for calibrating historic estimates. Data collected through state programs may be used in federal stock assessments and regulatory actions, potentially replacing MRIP data. A grant program is established to provide funding to states for developing or improving recreational fishery data collection programs. Grant priority will be given to applications that reduce uncertainty in MRIP data, particularly for economically or socially important species, or fisheries at risk of closure. The Administrator must submit a biennial report to Congress regarding the implementation of this section, including data incorporation and improvements compared to MRIP data. This section does not negate existing state programs for collecting recreational fishing data.

What does HEALTHY FISHERIES THROUGH BETTER SCIENCE. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to define 'stock assessment' as an evaluation of a fish stock's past, present, and future status, including life history characteristics and fishing information. It requires the Secretary to develop and publish a 'Stock Assessment Plan' to conduct assessments for priority fish stocks with existing fishery management plans. The plan must establish schedules for updating or conducting initial stock assessments, generally every 5 years or within 3 years, subject to appropriation availability. The plan must also identify data and analysis that could improve stock assessments and determine if such data could be provided by fishermen, communities, universities, and research institutions. The Secretary can waive the stock assessment requirement if deemed unnecessary and justified in the Federal Register. The Secretary must issue the first Stock Assessment Plan within 2 years of the enactment of this section.

What does FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SURVEYS BY INDEPENDENT ENTITIES. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a program for the Administrator to contract with independent entities to conduct fishery-independent surveys. These surveys are designed to estimate the absolute abundance of fish stocks included in the Fish Stock Sustainability Index. Independent entities seeking to participate must submit applications demonstrating the use of modern science and reliable data handling capabilities. Data collected from these surveys will be incorporated into management decisions following a favorable peer review and consultation. The Administrator must annually report the survey findings and their incorporation into management decisions to specified congressional committees.

What does REPORT. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the National Academies, in consultation with the Harte Research Institute, to submit a report within one year of enactment. The report must be submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and made publicly available. The report's focus is on the incorporation of the 'Estimating the Absolute Abundance of Age-2+ Red Snapper' study results into National Marine Fisheries Service management decisions. The report must also include recommendations regarding the incorporation of data collected pursuant to section 6 into National Marine Fisheries Service management decisions.

What does TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC PROCESS. of Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require scientific and statistical committees to develop advice in a transparent manner and allow for public involvement. It mandates that each Council make available, to the extent practicable, a webcast, live audio recording, or live broadcast of Council and coordination committee meetings that are not closed. The Act requires Councils to provide audio or video recordings, or searchable transcripts, of Council and scientific and statistical committee meetings within 30 days of their conclusion. The Secretary is tasked with maintaining and making available to the public an archive of these recordings and transcripts.

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Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025

Last updated: 11/19/2025 · Introduced: 10/6/2025

Author: John Rutherford (R-FL)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a standing committee within the National Academies to evaluate recreational fisheries data collection and management, aiming to reduce data errors and inform fishery management decisions.
It creates a program allowing states to collect recreational fishing data, with potential for this data to replace or supplement existing federal data collection efforts and be used in stock assessments.
The bill mandates regular stock assessments for priority fish stocks, requiring the Secretary to develop a Stock Assessment Plan and consider data from various sources, including fishermen and research institutions.
It authorizes the Administrator to contract with independent entities to conduct fishery-independent surveys to estimate fish stock abundance, incorporating the findings into management decisions after peer review.
The bill promotes transparency in fisheries management by requiring scientific committees to develop advice openly, and mandates that Regional Fishery Management Councils make meeting recordings and transcripts publicly available.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

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