Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6939
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-26T17:19:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026 aims to fill gaps in data and research on marine environments, with a focus on Alaska's Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. It promotes technologies to support scientific research, reduce bycatch (unintended catch of non-target species, like salmon in groundfish fisheries), and protect marine benthic habitats (seafloor ecosystems). The act also advances electronic monitoring and reporting in U.S. fisheries and creates a fund to help fishermen afford gear and technology that minimizes bycatch and habitat damage from trawl fishing (a method using large nets dragged along the seafloor or through the water column).
Key Provisions
- Research Initiatives (Section 2):
- Reconstitutes the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force (renamed Bycatch Reduction and Research Task Force) by adding two academic experts in groundfish (bottom-dwelling fish) and invertebrate ecology. The task force reviews NOAA research and recommends priorities, exempt from standard federal advisory rules for efficiency.
- Funds salmon life history research through public-private partnerships, including satellite or intelligent tagging to track migration patterns of Alaska-origin salmon, involving diverse experts like Alaska Natives, fishermen, and subsistence users.
- Establishes a grant program for faster genetic sampling of salmon bycatch to identify stocks and ages in real-time during fishing seasons.
- Requires ecosystem studies on how trawl gear affects seafloor habitats and factors influencing marine species survival (e.g., algal blooms, ocean acidification, predator-prey dynamics), with new data collection priorities.
- Mandates annual interim reports and a final report within three years, including recommendations for using AI or machine learning to predict bycatch avoidance areas and model ecosystem impacts.
- Flume Tank Development (Section 3):
- Directs NOAA to partner publicly and privately to build a flume tank (a controlled water channel for testing) to evaluate fishing gear and technologies that reduce bycatch and habitat contact.
- Creates the Flume Tank Assistance Fund for grants to support testing innovative devices, sensors, gear designs, and related training programs.
- Electronic Monitoring and Observer Coverage (Section 4):
- Streamlines approvals for experimental fishing permits to test bycatch-reducing gear and electronic monitoring pilots, prioritizing those using fund assistance without harming conservation goals.
- Promotes cooperative research and pilot programs; requires triennial public consultations (with notices, sessions, and 60-day comment periods) on improving electronic standards, cost-effectiveness, and adoption barriers for small fleets.
- Develops a data strategy to integrate electronic monitoring into NOAA's workflows, align it with traditional observer data, reduce delays, and enable real-time analysis.
- Requires online publication of observer requirements for major fisheries in simple terms, including bycatch limits.
- Mandates a report within three years on integrating observer and electronic data for better tracking of fishing impacts, plus a congressional report on data efficiency, with recommendations for real-time bycatch hotspot detection.
- Bycatch Reduction Funding (Section 5):
- Reauthorizes the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program with $4 million annually from fiscal years 2027–2031 for gear and technology development.
- Establishes the Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), funded by donations. It provides financial aid to fishermen for purchasing or modifying gear, equipment, and tech to cut bycatch and habitat damage. NFWF must consult NOAA, regional councils, and science centers; biennial public reports on fund use start after three years.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (a key U.S. law governing fisheries) by adding Section 322 to create the new assistance fund and authorizing appropriations for the existing bycatch engineering program.
- Reconstitutes an existing task force from the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act (2022), expanding its scope and membership without Federal Advisory Committee Act oversight.
- Introduces new requirements for electronic monitoring integration and streamlined permitting, building on but enhancing current NOAA processes for observers and data handling.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NOAA will face increased responsibilities for research partnerships, reporting, facility building, and data integration, potentially improving fishery management efficiency but requiring more resources and coordination with regional councils.
- Citizens and Communities: Alaska fishermen, especially small-scale operators, gain access to financial aid and streamlined tech adoption, reducing costs for bycatch-avoiding gear. Subsistence users and Alaska Natives benefit from better salmon stock data and habitat protection, supporting food security and cultural practices. Broader U.S. fisheries may see advanced electronic reporting for more accurate catch tracking.
- Environment: Enhanced research and technology could lower unintended salmon bycatch and seafloor damage, aiding conservation of commercial, cultural, and wild species amid climate stressors.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved data on shared Pacific stocks (e.g., salmon) could inform U.S. negotiations with countries like Canada or Russia on transboundary fisheries.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Marine Fisheries Service (leading research and implementation); Department of Commerce (appointing task force members).
- Fishing Industry: Commercial fishermen, vessel owners, and gear manufacturers in Alaska and U.S. fisheries, benefiting from funding, testing facilities, and permit streamlining.
- Indigenous and Local Communities: Alaska Natives, Indian Tribes, and subsistence users, involved in partnerships and gaining from salmon-focused research.
- Research and Nonprofit Entities: Universities, nonprofits, state agencies, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (managing the new fund).
- Regional Bodies: North Pacific Fishery Management Council and science centers, consulted on priorities and data use.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act's goals for sustainable fisheries by mandating data-driven bycatch reduction, with exemptions from advisory committee rules to speed task force operations (potentially reducing bureaucratic delays but limiting public input). Introduces donation-based funding via NFWF, ensuring transparency through required reports without new taxes.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over fisheries and promotes public-private partnerships without infringing on state or tribal sovereignty (explicitly includes tribal involvement).
- Political: Encourages bipartisan support for Alaska-specific environmental and economic priorities, fostering innovation in fisheries amid climate challenges. Could influence future funding debates by tying appropriations to specific programs, while emphasizing stakeholder inclusion to address equity for small fleets and indigenous groups.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-01-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-06 — PDF (15 pages)