HR5699-119

What This Bill Does

The Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act changes how NOAA and the National Marine Fisheries Service collect and use recreational fishing data. It defines MRIP, pulse species, seasonal fisheries, regional commissions, scientific and statistical committees, and independent entities such as the National Academies and universities. NOAA must reform MRIP to meet regional and state needs, create an independent National Academies standing committee on recreational fisheries data, consult the committee when percent standard error for seasonal fisheries reaches 30 percent or states petition, publish reports within six months, and allow alternative validated methods when MRIP precision cannot be improved. States may run NOAA-approved catch and effort programs in state and federal waters; NOAA must set universal standards with regional commissions, use approved state data in stock assessments and regulatory actions, use state data instead of overlapping MRIP data, continue allocating MRIP funds to approved states, create a state grant program within 180 days, report biennially, and receive $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The bill also defines stock assessment, requires Federal Register plans for priority stock assessments, allows waivers with justification, creates independent fishery-independent abundance survey contracts, requires annual reports on those surveys, commissions a National Academies and Harte Research Institute report on Gulf red snapper abundance data, and requires Regional Fishery Management Councils and scientific committees to provide public access, webcasts, recordings, transcripts, and archives.

Who Benefits and How

State fisheries agencies benefit because NOAA-approved state recreational catch and effort data can replace overlapping MRIP data and receive dedicated grants. Recreational anglers benefit if data precision improves for seasonal fisheries, pulse species, and fisheries vulnerable to closures from uncertain estimates. Regional Fishery Management Councils benefit from clearer stock assessment schedules, independent abundance surveys, and transparent scientific committee advice. Independent fisheries scientists benefit from National Academies standing committee roles, contract opportunities, and data-sharing requirements.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NOAA fisheries staff must reform MRIP, consult the standing committee, approve state programs, set standards, administer grants, and report biennially. National Academies staff must operate the standing committee and produce the red snapper data report with Harte Research Institute consultation. State fisheries program staff must collect data, report it in federal formats, and avoid angler burdens that would cause noncompliance. Fishery Council staff must webcast, record, transcribe, and archive open meetings and scientific committee processes.

Key Provisions

• Requires NOAA to reform MRIP for regional and state recreational fishing data needs.
• Creates an independent National Academies standing committee on recreational fisheries data collection and management.
• Authorizes NOAA-approved state catch and effort programs and requires NOAA to use qualifying state data in federal management.
• Establishes a state data grant program within 180 days and authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
• Requires priority stock assessment plans and independent fishery-independent abundance survey contracts.
• Requires a public National Academies report on Gulf red snapper abundance data and survey-data incorporation.
• Requires Fishery Council webcasts, recordings, transcripts, archives, and transparent scientific committee advice.