Bill · S. 2883· Senate(119-S-2883)
Quantifying Uncertainty and Action to Help Optimize Growth of Shellfish Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The QUAHOGS Act of 2025 creates the East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force to study bivalve productivity and abundance. This group will identify research needs and create a coordinated strategy to address declining harvests of species like hard clams. The Task Force will review science regarding climate change, habitat restoration, and economic impacts on fisheries and aquaculture. It includes representatives from government agencies, Indian Tribes, the fishing industry, and academic experts. The group must provide an interim progress report after one year and a final report within two years.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
Mandates the inclusion of Indian Tribes and the use of traditional ecological knowledge in management plans.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+7
The bill creates a specialized task force to prioritize and identify scientific research needs for bivalves.
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
Specifically identifies and seeks to reduce regulatory and financial barriers for aquaculture business owners.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture: The Task Force is charged with supporting sustainable bivalve fisheries and aquaculture operations in East Coast States (Section 4(a)(3)-(4)). This could help ensure long-term food sources and job stability for those in the industry.
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Economic Evaluation and Barrier Identification: The bill requires the evaluation of economic impacts and the identification of financial and regulatory barriers for small-scale aquaculture operations (Section 4(c)(1)(A)(xii)). This could lead to easier entry for small business owners.
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Environmental and Climate Protection: The Task Force will research mitigation strategies for climate change and techniques for habitat restoration, such as using bivalves and seagrass meadows (Section 4(c)(1)(A)(iv)-(v)). This may improve coastal water quality and ecosystem health.
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Inclusion of Diverse Knowledge: The bill mandates the inclusion of representatives from Indian Tribes and the review of traditional ecological knowledge in management plans (Section 4(b)(2)(C) and Section 4(c)(1)(A)(i)). This ensures a broader range of expertise and cultural perspectives are used to protect resources.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Lack of Compensation for Members: Members of the Research Task Force and its work groups serve without compensation (Section 4(d)(3)). This may limit the ability of some individuals or smaller stakeholders to participate if they cannot afford to volunteer their time.
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 Native Americans+7Good For Business Owners+6Good For Farmers+5Good For Rural Residents+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+1
- 11/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina