Bill Title
A bill to improve the management of driftnet fishing.
Committees
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Bill Summary
Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. (Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.) Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States.The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone for five years. The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources. Commerce must award grants to program participants. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council may recommend and Commerce may approve regulations that require charter operators to pay fees on vessels that harvest Pacific halibut in specific International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory areas.
Bill
Sponsor
Committee
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Date
Dec. 10, 2020
Question
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Vote Type
2/3 YEA-AND-NAY
Result
Passed
Description
Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act