Results for

  • Forage Fish Conservation Act

    S #5053 | Last Action: 12/17/2020
    Forage Fish Conservation Act This bill addresses the management and conservation of forage fish. (A forage fish is any fish at a low trophic level that contributes significantly to the diets of other fish, marine mammals, or birds and serves as a conduit for energy transfer to species at a higher trophic level.) The Department of Commerce must establish guidelines to assist regional fishery management councils in (1) developing a list of unmanaged forage fish areas and prohibiting the development of any new forage fish fisheries until the potential impacts of such fisheries have been assessed; and (2)setting annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries that assess, specify, and reduce such limits by the diet needs of other fish species and marine wildlife. The bill adds shad (American shad and hickory shad)and river herring (blueback herring and alewife)to the list of managed stocks for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
  • Forage Fish Conservation Act

    HR #2236 | Last Action: 4/29/2019
    Forage Fish Conservation Act This bill addresses the management and conservation of forage fish. (A forage fish is any fish at a low trophic level that contributes significantly to the diets of other fish, marine mammals, or birds and serves as a conduit for energy transfer to species at a higher trophic level.) The Department of Commerce must establish guidelines to assist regional fishery management councils in (1) developing a list of unmanaged forage fish areas and prohibiting the development of any new forage fish fisheries until the potential impacts of such fisheries have been assessed; and (2)setting annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries that assess, specify, and reduce such limits by the diet needs of other fish species and marine wildlife. The bill adds shad (American shad and hickory shad)and river herring (blueback herring and alewife)to the list of managed stocks for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
  • FISH Act

    HR #548 | Last Action: 2/4/2019
    Federally Integrated Species Health Act or the FISH Act This bill gives the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) the sole authority to protect endangered or threatened species that are anadromous species (species of fish that spawn in fresh or estuarine waters and that migrate to ocean waters) or catadromous species (species of fish that spawn in ocean waters and migrate to fresh waters). Currently, the FWS shares this authority with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
  • National Fish Habitat Conservation Act of 2019

    S #754 | Last Action: 3/12/2019
    National Fish Habitat Conservation Act of 2019 This bill establishes the National Fish Habitat Board to (1) encourage partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties to promote fish conservation, (2) establish national goals and priorities for fish habitat conservation, (3) recommend to Congress entities for designation as a Fish Habitat Partnership, and (4) review and make recommendations regarding fish habitat conservation projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey may provide technical and scientific assistance to the partnerships, participants in the fish habitat conservation projects, and the board.
  • National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act

    HR #1747 | Last Action: 9/25/2019
    National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act This bill establishes the National Fish Habitat Board to (1) encourage partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties to promote fish conservation, (2) establish national goals and priorities for fish habitat conservation, (3) recommend to Congress entities for designation as a Fish Habitat Partnership, and (4) review and make recommendations regarding fish habitat conservation projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey may provide technical and scientific assistance to the partnerships, participants in the fish habitat conservation projects, and the board.
  • Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Clarification Act

    HR #3140 | Last Action: 6/5/2019
    Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Clarification Act This bill modifies provisions concerning uninspected fishing vessels to prescribe and require the prescription of certain safety standards on fishing, fish tender, or fish processing vessels. Among other things, the bill addresses * vessel construction standards, * regulations for the operating stability of vessels, * training requirements for vessel operators, * vessel certification requirements, * the alternate safety compliance program, * the substitute safety compliance program, * the enhanced substitute safety compliance program, * record keeping requirements for vessel operators, * vessel inspection requirements, * the Fishing Safety Training Grant Program, and * the Fishing Safety Research Grant Program.
  • FISH SAFE Act

    S #1410 | Last Action: 5/9/2019
    Funding Instruction for Safety, Health, and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies Act or theFISH SAFE Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2021 and expands the Department of Health and Human Services fishing safety training and research grant programs. The federal share of the costs of any activity that may be carried out using grants under the programs is increased to 75%. Currently, the federal share must not exceed 50%. The bill is retroactively effective.
  • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2019

    HR #4831 | Last Action: 10/23/2019
    National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and revises requirements governing the foundation.
  • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2019

    S #1139 | Last Action: 4/10/2019
    National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements for appointment to the Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and reauthorizes the foundation through FY2024.
  • Fish Act of 2019

    HR #4723 | Last Action: 10/17/2019
    Salmon Focused Investments in Sustainable Habitats Act of 2019 or theFish Act of 2019 This bill addresses identifying, restoring, and protecting salmon conservation areas in the United States. Specifically, the bill * requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to jointly issue guidance on the process and biological criteria required to identify salmon conservation areas; and * directs the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide grants to certain entities to protect or maintain salmon conservation area features and projects that are focused on conservation and restoration within conservation areas, including to restore or maintain ecological functions and processes related to salmon productivity and diversity at watershed or subwatershed scales.
  • Commercial Fishing and Seafood Business Act of 2019

    HR #2658 | Last Action: 6/26/2019
    Commercial Fishing and Seafood Business Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain H-2B visas from the annual cap of 66,000 on such visas. The exemption applies to H-2B visas issued to nonimmigrant aliens for employment (1) on a commercial fishing vessel or shrimp trawler; or (2) in the processing of fish, baitfish, or fishery products. (An H-2B visa is for an alien entering the United States to perform nonagricultural temporary labor, where the alien has no intention of abandoning the alien's residence in a foreign country.)
  • Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture Protection Act of 2019

    S #2209 | Last Action: 7/23/2019
    Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture Protection Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Commerce to provide compensation to commercial fishermen and farm-raised (aquaculture) fish producers for losses due to algae bloom, freshwater intrusion, adverse weather, bird depredation, disease, and other conditions. Commerce must provide payments to eligible fishermen and aquaculture producers based on a formula if their actual total gross revenue for a given year falls below 85% of the average total gross revenue for the previous three years.
  • To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 with respect to anadromous fish habitat and passage, and for other purposes.

    HR #7657 | Last Action: 7/16/2020
    This bill provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out aquatic ecosystem restoration projects to improve habitat or passage for anadromous fish, including (1) installing fish bypass structures on small water diversions, (2) modifying tide gates, and (3) restoring or reconnecting floodplains and wetlands that are important for anadromous fish habitat or passage. Anadromous fish are species of fish that spawn in fresh or estuarine waters and that migrate to ocean waters. The Corps must give such projects equal priority for implementation as other aquatic ecosystem restoration projects.
  • To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling of genetically engineered fish.

    HR #1104 | Last Action: 2/7/2019
    This bill prohibits the sale of food that contains genetically engineered fish unless the food bears a label stating that it contains genetically engineered fish.
  • Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2019

    HR #4828 | Last Action: 10/23/2019
    Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund which provides funding for several things, including fisheries conservation and management, water and boating infrastructure, and recreational boating safety. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on (1) the increasing use of nonmotorized vessels and their impacts on motorized and nonmotorized vessel access, (2) user conflicts at waterway access points, (3) the use of Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to improve nonmotorized vessel access and the reasons for providing such access, and (4) the use of Recreational Boating Safety Program funds for nonmotorized boating safety programs.
  • Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2019

    S #38 | Last Action: 1/8/2019
    Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2019 This bill extends through FY2023 the authority of the Department of the Interior to use power revenues collected pursuant to the Colorado River Storage Project Act for annual base funding of endangered fish recovery implementation programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins. Additionally, Interior must submit to Congress a report that describes the accomplishments and costs of the recovery implementation programs.
  • Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

    S #268 | Last Action: 3/26/2019
    Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Act or the WILD Act This bill reauthorizes and revises several wildlife conservation programs, establishes requirements for invasive species management, and requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to establish certain prize competitions. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2023 (1) the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program; and (2) accounts under the Multinational Species Conservation Fund for the protection of African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, and great apes. The bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, including to expand the fund to include funding for the conservation of tortoises and freshwater turtles. In addition, the bill requires certain federal agencies to (1) control and manage invasive species, and (2) develop strategic plans for implementing invasive species programs designed to achieve substantive annual net reductions of invasive species populations or infested acreage on land or water. Finally, the USFWS must establish Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prizes to encourage technological innovation with the potential to advance the mission of the USFWS with respect to the * prevention of wildlife poaching and trafficking, * promotion of wildlife conservation, * management of invasive species, * protection of endangered species, and * nonlethal management of human-wildlife conflicts.
  • Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act

    HR #3697 | Last Action: 7/11/2019
    Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act This bill modifies provisions related to fishery management activities. Among other things, the bill * authorizes fishery management councils to use alternative measures as part of management plans at recreational fisheries and for recreational portions of mixed-use fisheries; * revises the annual catch limit requirements, including by allowing councils to consider changes in an ecosystem changes and the economic needs of the fishing communities when establishing limits; * directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish every three years a plan to conduct stock assessments for any species subject to a fishery management plan; * requires NOAA to develop a plan for implementing cooperative research with fisherman and outside groups; * prohibits feeding sharks in federal waters off the coast of Florida; and * sets forth requirements under which a state may encourage the elimination of lionfish.
  • Fishing Equipment Tax Relief Act of 2019

    S #1291 | Last Action: 5/2/2019
    Fishing Equipment Tax Relief Act of 2019 This bill reduces from 10% to 3% the excise tax rate that applies to the sale of portable, electronically-aerated bait containers by the manufacturer, producer, or importer.
  • Fishing Equipment Tax Relief Act of 2019

    HR #3556 | Last Action: 6/27/2019
    Fishing Equipment Tax Relief Act of 2019 This bill reduces from 10% to 3% the excise tax rate that applies to the sale of portable, electronically-aerated bait containers by the manufacturer, producer, or importer.
  • Funding Instruction for Safety, Health, and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies Act

    HR #4719 | Last Action: 12/17/2019
    Funding Instruction for Safety, Health, and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies Act or theFISH SAFE Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2021 and expands the Department of Health and Human Services fishing safety training and research grant programs. The bill increases the maximum federal share of the costs of any activity that may be carried out using grants under the programs to 75%. Currently, the federal share must not exceed 50%. This change is retroactive to December 5, 2018. The U.S. Coast Guard shall properly mark all pierheads belonging to the United States that are located in certain lakes. Additionally, the bill prohibits (1) the Coast Guard from being involved with the installation of lighthouses, and (2) construction of lighthouses, beacons, public piers, or landmarks on any site until a cession of jurisdiction over the same has been made to the United States. The bill eliminates outdated provisions related to the U.S. Lighthouse Service, which was merged into the Coast Guard.
  • Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act

    S #50 | Last Action: 6/28/2019
    Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act This bill authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to assess sanitation and safety conditions on land set aside to provide Columbia River Treaty tribes access to traditional fishing grounds. The bill applies to land held by the United States for the benefit of the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. The BIA may enter into contracts with tribes or tribal organizations to improve sanitation, safety conditions, and access to electricity, sewer, and water infrastructure on this land. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate whether the sanitation and safety conditions on the lands have improved as a result of the contracts and report on the results of the evaluation.
  • Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act

    HR #91 | Last Action: 4/30/2019
    Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act This bill authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to assess sanitation and safety conditions on land set aside to provide Columbia River Treaty tribes access to traditional fishing grounds. The bill applies to land held by the United States for the benefit of the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. The BIA may enter into contracts with tribes or tribal organizations to improve sanitation, safety conditions, and access to electricity, sewer, and water infrastructure on this land. The Government Accountability Office must report whether the sanitation and safety conditions on the lands have improved as a result of the contracts.
  • Protect America's Wildlife and Fish in Need of Conservation Act of 2019

    S #2491 | Last Action: 9/17/2019
    Protect America’s Wildlife and Fish In Need of Conservation Act of 2019 or the PAW and FIN Conservation Act of 2019 This bill nullifies several 2019 rules that revise regulations relating to the listing of endangered or threatened species and the designation of critical habitats. The restored rules * automatically give threatened species the same protections as endangered species; * revise requirements governing when an agency must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service about endangered species, threatened species, or their habitats; * prohibit economic assessments from being considered in listing decisions; and * revise the criteria used for designating critical habitats for the species. Rulemakings related to these regulations must incorporate climate change impacts.
  • Expressing support for the designation of the week of June 1, 2019, through June 9, 2019, as National Fishing and Boating Week.

    HRES #175 | Last Action: 3/6/2019
    This resolution supports the designation of National Fishing and Boating Week and recognizes that the recreational boating community and the boating industry should be commended for their numerous contributions to the economy, the well-being of citizens, and responsible environmental stewardship of water resources.