Bill > S3579

This bill, the Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2025, aims to improve marine environmental data collection and reduce bycatch, which is the unintentional capture of non-target species, particularly in Alaskan fisheries. It reconstitutes the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force into the Bycatch Reduction and Research Task Force, adding experts in groundfish and invertebrate ecology, and tasks it with reviewing research and recommending future work. The bill also mandates research into the marine life history of Alaska salmon using tagging technologies and genetic sampling to better understand their movements and identify areas where bycatch might be reduced, with a focus on utilizing artificial intelligence for predictive modeling. Furthermore, it directs research into the impact of different types of trawl fishing gear on marine benthic habitats (the seafloor) in Alaska and the broader ecosystem factors affecting commercially or culturally important marine species, such as harmful algal blooms and marine heatwaves. To support these efforts, the bill proposes establishing a flume tank for testing new fishing gear and technologies to reduce bycatch and habitat damage, and creates a fund to provide financial assistance to fishermen for purchasing such gear and technology. It also seeks to advance and streamline electronic monitoring and reporting in U.S. fisheries, improve data integration into scientific models, and increase transparency regarding observer coverage requirements. Finally, the bill reauthorizes the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program and establishes a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to provide financial aid to fishermen for gear and technology aimed at reducing bycatch and habitat impact.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3579/all-info