Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026”.
Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026
A BILL
To improve fisheries stock assessments by incorporating eDNA, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Administrator— The term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
eDNA— The term eDNA means DNA or genetic material contained in samples of water or other environmental media.
Fishery-independent— The term fishery-independent means observations not taken in the course of pursuing commercial fisheries activity.
Indian Tribe— The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network— The term National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network means the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network established by section 201.
Native Hawaiian organization— The term Native Hawaiian organization has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
Sec. 3 Categorical exclusion for water, air, and sediment collection
The collection of water, air, or sediment samples exclusively for eDNA analysis shall not constitute a taking under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.).