US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title II — Recreation Fishery Information, Research, and Development

115th Congress · Approved Dec 31, 2018 · 132 Stat. 5355

TITLE II Recreation Fishery Information, Research, and Development

SEC. 201. Cooperative Data Collection.

(a)
Improving Data Collection and Analysis.— Section 404 (16 U.S.C. 1881c) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Improving Data Collection and Analysis.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017, the Secretary shall develop, in consultation with the science and statistical committees of the Councils established under section 302(g) and the Marine Fisheries Commissions, and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report on facilitating greater incorporation of data, analysis, stock assessments, and surveys from State agencies and nongovernmental sources described in paragraph (2), to the extent such information is consistent with section 301(a)(2), into fisheries management decisions.

“(2) Content.—In developing the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

“(A) identify types of data and analysis, especially concerning recreational fishing, that can be used for purposes of this Act as the basis for establishing conservation and management measures as required by section 303(a)(1), including setting standards for the collection and use of that data and analysis in stock assessments and surveys and for other purposes;

“(B) provide specific recommendations for collecting data and performing analyses identified as necessary to reduce uncertainty in and improve the accuracy of future stock assessments, including whether such data and analysis could be provided by nongovernmental sources; and

“(C) consider the extent to which the acceptance and use of data and analyses identified in the report in fishery management decisions is practicable and compatible with the requirements of section 301(a)(2).”

(b)
NAS Report Recommendations.— The Secretary of Commerce shall take into consideration and, to the extent feasible, implement the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences in the report entitled “Review of the Marine Recreational Information Program (2017)”, and shall submit, every 2 years following the date of enactment of this Act, a report to the appropriate committees of Congress detailing progress made implementing those recommendations. Recommendations considered shall include—
(1)
prioritizing the evaluation of electronic data collection, including smartphone applications, electronic diaries for prospective data collection, and an internet website option for panel members or for the public;
(2)
evaluating whether the design of the Marine Recreational Information Program for the purposes of stock assessment and the determination of stock management reference points is compatible with the needs of in-season management of annual catch limits; and
(3)
if the Marine Recreational Information Program is incompatible with the needs of in-season management of annual catch limits, determining an alternative method for in-season management.

SEC. 202. Recreational Data Collection.

Section 401 (16 U.S.C. 1881) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (g)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(B)
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

“(4) Federal-state partnerships.—

“(A) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a partnership with a State to develop best practices for implementing the State program established under paragraph (2).

“(B) Guidance.—The Secretary shall develop guidance, in cooperation with the States, that details best practices for administering State programs pursuant to paragraph (2), and provide such guidance to the States.

“(C) Biennial report.—The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and publish biennial reports that include—

“(i) the estimated accuracy of—

“(I) the information provided under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for each registry program established under that paragraph; and

“(II) the information from each State program that is used to assist in completing surveys or evaluating effects of conservation and management measures under paragraph (2);

“(ii) priorities for improving recreational fishing data collection; and

“(iii) an explanation of any use of information collected by such State programs and by the Secretary.

“(D) States grant program.—

“(i) In general.—The Secretary may make grants to States to—

“(I) improve implementation of State programs consistent with this subsection; and

“(II) assist such programs in complying with requirements related to changes in recreational data collection under paragraph (3).

“(ii) Use of funds.—Any funds awarded through such grants shall be used to support data collection, quality assurance, and outreach to entities submitting such data. The Secretary shall prioritize such grants based on the ability of the grant to improve the quality and accuracy of such programs.”

; and

(2)
by adding at the end the following:

“(h) Action by Secretary.—The Secretary shall—

“(1) within 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018, enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate, in the form of a report—

“(A) how the design of the Marine Recreational Information Program, for the purposes of stock assessment and the determination of stock management reference points, can be improved to better meet the needs of in-season management of annual catch limits under section 303(a)(15); and

“(B) what actions the Secretary, Councils, and States could take to improve the accuracy and timeliness of data collection and analysis to improve the Marine Recreational Information Program and facilitate in-season management; and

“(2) within 6 months after receiving the report under paragraph (1), submit to Congress recommendations regarding—

“(A) changes to be made to the Marine Recreational Information Program to make the program better meet the needs of in-season management of annual catch limits and other requirements under such section; and

“(B) alternative management approaches that could be applied to recreational fisheries for which the Marine Recreational Information Program is not meeting the needs of in-season management of annual catch limits, consistent with other requirements of this Act, until such time as the changes in subparagraph (A) are implemented.”