Bill · H.R. 6939· House(119-HR-6939)
Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/6/2026
- Last activity
- 1/6/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Nicholas Begich
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026 aims to close data gaps regarding marine environments in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. It calls for the reconstitution of the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force to focus on salmon life history and ecosystem analyses. The bill prioritizes the use of technology to reduce bycatch and minimize contact between trawl gear and marine benthic habitats. To support these goals, it directs the creation of a flume tank for testing improved fishing gear. Additionally, the act seeks to streamline electronic monitoring and reporting processes for United States fisheries. Finally, it establishes a fund to provide financial assistance to fishermen for purchasing gear and technology aimed at bycatch reduction.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this put more money into scientific research?+8
The bill authorizes significant research into salmon life history, ecosystem changes, and gear technology.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill prioritizes reducing bycatch and protecting marine benthic habitats through research and new technology.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill provides financial assistance and streamlined permitting for commercial fishing vessel owners to upgrade gear.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Research on Salmon: The Administrator will enter into partnerships to research the marine life history of Alaska origin salmon, which includes involving experts, Alaska Natives, and commercial fishermen (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Real-Time Data for Fisheries: A competitive grant program will be conducted to improve the turnaround time of genetic analyses, providing near--real-time information on salmon stock identification (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Financial Support for Technology Testing: The establishment of a Flume Tank Assistance Fund will provide grants or financial assistance to entities wishing to test innovative technology and fishing gear designed to reduce bycatch and habitat contact (Section 3(b)).
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Streamlined Permitting: The bill creates a process to streamline exempted fishing permits for fishermen who purchase or modify gear using financial assistance (Section 4(a)(1)).
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Improved Electronic Monitoring: The act aims to streamline the approval process for electronic monitoring pilot projects and develop a data integration strategy to reduce the time between data collection and management application (Section 4(a)(2) and 4(a)(5)).
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Financial Assistance for Gear Upgrades: The Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund will provide financial assistance to fishermen and vessel operators to purchase or modify fishing gear and technology (Section 5(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exemption from Federal Oversight: The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Bycatch Reduction and Research Task Force (Section 2(a)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Rural Development+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 1/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.