Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “South Atlantic Red Snapper Data Improvement Act”.
South Atlantic Red Snapper Data Improvement Act
A BILL
To authorize grants for data collection for use in stock assessments of red snapper and other reef fish species in the South Atlantic, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish species data collection grants
Grants authorized— The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, shall award competitive grants for fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data collection for use in stock assessments for red snapper and other reef fish species in the South Atlantic region.
Innovative approaches— In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall seek to improve red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments through innovative approaches to data collection that incorporates data from cooperative peer-reviewed research involving academia, fishermen, and other fisheries sources.
Grant period— Grants under this section may be for one or more fiscal years.
Sec. 3 Communication with stakeholders
In general— The Secretary of Commerce shall seek to improve communications by the National Marine Fisheries Service with stakeholders regarding the South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessment processes and outcomes of such processes.
Report— The Secretary shall—
by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, report to Congress on actions taken under this section and the results of such actions; and
update such report every 180 days thereafter.
Sec. 4 Process for using South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish species cooperative research data
The Secretary of Commerce shall—
by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, develop and report to the Congress on a process for using data collected through cooperative research activities for South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments; and
update such report every 180 days thereafter.
Sec. 5 Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce $10,000,000 for grants, personnel, operations, and data collection under this Act to improve South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments.