HOUSE 1979 (116th Congress) — Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act

Actions

2019-05-08Subcommittee Hearings Held.
2019-04-18Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
2019-03-28Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2019-03-28Introduced in House
2019-03-28Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2019-03-28 (00)

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.

Cosponsors (19)

Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
TJ Cox (D-CA)
Robert Wittman (R-VA)
Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)
BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
Brian Mast (R-FL)
Debra Haaland (D-NM)
Steven Palazzo (R-MS)
Ed Case (D-HI)
ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA)
Josh Harder (D-CA)
H. Griffith (R-VA)
MIKE THOMPSON (D-CA)
Harley Rouda (D-CA)
ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
ANNA ESHOO (D-CA)
RICK LARSEN (D-WA)
Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
EARL BLUMENAUER (D-OR)

Subjects

Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Fishes
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries