HR7332-119

What This Bill Does

The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 amends the large-cetacean monitoring program created in the FY2023 NDAA. It broadens the program from near real-time monitoring for threatened or endangered large cetaceans to mapping, surveying, monitoring, and mitigation for migratory whales and other large cetaceans. The Under Secretary, in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission, must produce high-resolution distribution and predictive maps for migratory whale stocks, populations, or species in U.S. waters, using best available science, passive acoustic monitoring, satellite or drone imagery, on-water sensors, and improved modeling. Maps must include calving, mating, feeding, migration, and other habitat uses where applicable and be available in machine-readable formats for NOAA navigation products, public online platforms, Coast Guard carriage requirements, and other navigation publications. NOAA must conduct surveys of understudied migratory whale populations to estimate abundance and distribution. The bill preserves and restructures a near real-time monitoring and mitigation subprogram to reduce vessel-strike and disturbance risks. It also creates an annual competitive grant program for detection technologies, administered through a cooperative agreement with NFWF, to fund research, deployment, awareness, and activities reducing lethal and sublethal interactions between ocean users and whales. NOAA must review maps at least every three years with the Marine Mammal Commission and stakeholders.

Who Benefits and How

Migratory whales and other large cetaceans benefit from better distribution maps, surveys, detection technology, and mitigation of vessel collisions and disturbance. NOAA, the Marine Mammal Commission, Coast Guard, researchers, and conservation organizations benefit from better data products and a grant pathway for passive acoustic, satellite, drone, and sensor-based monitoring. Vessel operators and ocean users benefit from clearer navigation-ready whale location and risk information that can reduce collision risk and compliance uncertainty. Technology developers and research institutions benefit from annual grants for detection tools. The public benefits from online access to whale distribution maps.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NOAA and the Under Secretary must produce maps, conduct surveys, set priorities, coordinate NOAA line offices, consult the Marine Mammal Commission and stakeholders, review maps every three years, run the near real-time subprogram, enter a cooperative agreement with NFWF, and fund the grant program. NFWF must manage applications, payments, investments, and awards. Coast Guard officials may need to coordinate carriage requirements. Vessel operators may need to use updated navigation products or mitigation information. Federal taxpayers fund the expanded program and grants.

Key Provisions

• Expands the program to mapping, surveying, monitoring, and mitigation for migratory whales and other large cetaceans.
• Requires high-resolution distribution and predictive maps that can be integrated into NOAA navigation products and public platforms.
• Requires surveys of understudied whale populations and triennial map reviews.
• Preserves a near real-time monitoring and mitigation subprogram to reduce vessel strikes and other impacts.
• Creates an annual competitive grant program for whale detection technologies administered through NFWF.