Quantifying Uncertainty and Action to Help Optimize Growth of Shellfish Act of 2025

Bill Number

S. 2883

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Last Updated

2025-12-09T22:27:10Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The QUAHOGS Act of 2025 aims to address challenges facing bivalve shellfish (such as clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops) along the U.S. East Coast by establishing a research task force. Its main goals are to:

• Track trends in bivalve productivity and abundance in East Coast states.
• Prioritize scientific research for commercially harvested and farmed bivalves.
• Tackle increasing variability or declines in harvests, especially for quahogs (hard clams), through a coordinated strategy.
• Foster collaboration for conserving bivalves across East Coast states.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force: The Secretary of Commerce must convene the task force within 90 days of the Act's enactment, in consultation with regional fishery management councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
• Task Force Composition: 16 to 21 members, including representatives from:
• Federal agencies (NOAA, EPA, USDA).
• Regional fishery councils (New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic).
• State fish and wildlife agencies (one per region).
• Indian Tribes with historical or current reliance on East Coast bivalves (1–3 members).
• Bivalve industry stakeholders (3–6 members, covering commercial harvesting, recreational fishing, processing, and aquaculture).
• Academic experts (5 members) in bivalve biology, ecology, restoration, aquaculture, or economics, with at least one focused on quahogs.
• The NOAA representative serves as Chair; members serve without pay but receive travel expenses.
• Duties of the Task Force:
• Review existing research on bivalve science, including traditional ecological knowledge, habitat needs, climate change effects (e.g., warming, acidification, sea level rise), disease, aquaculture techniques, and economic factors.
• Identify research gaps and solutions for declining harvests and future threats, with a focus on quahogs and other key species.
• Establish work groups, including mandatory ones on quahog research (especially in Rhode Island and the East Coast) and climate change impacts; additional groups as needed.
• Submit an interim progress report within 1 year and a final report within 2 years to federal secretaries, congressional committees, and make it publicly available. The final report includes recommendations for further research and work group findings.
• Administrative Support: The Department of Commerce provides necessary support, including for virtual or in-person meetings. Funding is authorized as needed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act introduces a new federal task force specifically for East Coast bivalve research, which does not appear to amend or replace prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like regional fishery management councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission by mandating coordinated review and reporting, but creates a dedicated entity to fill research gaps without altering current fishery management or environmental regulations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases coordination among NOAA, EPA, USDA, and state agencies, potentially leading to more integrated research funding and policies for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. It may require short-term administrative resources for task force operations.
• On Citizens: Benefits East Coast fishing communities, aquaculture operators, and consumers by supporting stable bivalve supplies and addressing harvest declines, which could enhance food security and local economies. Tribal communities gain representation in research that incorporates their traditional knowledge.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. East Coast bivalve management could indirectly support broader North Atlantic marine conservation efforts involving Canada or international bodies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal and State Agencies: NOAA, EPA, USDA, regional fishery councils, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and state fish/wildlife agencies, who must participate and implement recommendations.
• Indian Tribes: Those with historical or ongoing reliance on East Coast bivalves, ensuring their perspectives on ecology and management are included.
• Industry Representatives: Commercial and recreational harvesters, processors, distributors, and aquaculture operators (including small-scale and hatchery businesses), who provide input and benefit from research on sustainability and barriers to entry.
• Academic and Research Community: Experts in marine biology, ecology, economics, and restoration, who contribute to reviews and gap identification.
• East Coast Communities: Residents in states from New England to the South Atlantic, particularly in areas like Rhode Island, affected by bivalve-dependent livelihoods and ecosystems.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The Act emphasizes voluntary collaboration and research without new regulatory mandates, respecting state and tribal sovereignty (e.g., by including tribal input under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act). It authorizes appropriations without specifying amounts, leaving funding to congressional discretion.
• Constitutional: Aligns with federal authority over interstate commerce and fisheries (Commerce Clause), while incorporating tribal consultation to uphold treaty obligations and self-determination rights.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan coastal conservation (introduced by senators from Rhode Island and South Carolina), potentially influencing future appropriations for marine research. It highlights climate adaptation in fisheries, which could inform broader environmental policy debates, but focuses on science over enforcement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Cosponsors (2)

Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2025-09-18: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Quantifying Uncertainty and Action to Help Optimize Growth of Shellfish Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (13 pages)