Bill · S. 3579· Senate(119-S-3579)
Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/18/2025
- Last activity
- 12/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Sullivan
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2025 aims to improve marine data collection and research in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. It focuses on reducing bycatch and protecting marine benthic habitats through new technology and research partnerships. The bill establishes a "Bycatch Reduction and Research Task Force" and creates a fund to help fishermen pay for gear and technology that reduces habitat contact and bycatch. Additionally, it seeks to streamline electronic monitoring and reporting in U.S. fisheries. The act also authorizes funding for the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 13
Does this put more money into scientific research?+8
Significantly increases funding and partnerships for marine biological research and genetic sampling.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
Directly aims to reduce bycatch and protect marine benthic habitats in Alaska fisheries.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+6
Mandates partnerships with Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives in salmon and ecosystem research.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
Expanded electronic monitoring of fishing vessels may reduce privacy for vessel operators.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes additional appropriations for the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program through 2031.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Help for Fishermen: The "Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund" provides financial assistance to fishermen and vessel owners to purchase or modify gear, equipment, and technology (Section 5(b)).
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Support for Innovation: The creation of a flume tank and the "Flume Tank Assistance Fund" allows entities to receive grants to test innovative technology and prototype fishing gear (Section 3).
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Improved Salmon Research: The bill creates partnerships with Alaska Natives, State agencies, and other experts to use satellite and intelligent tagging to better understand salmon migration (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Faster Data Results: A competitive grant program will be created to improve the speed of genetic analyses of biological samples, providing near-real-time information on salmon stocks (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Easier Permitting: The bill requires a streamlined process for approving exempted fishing permits for those using innovative gear or participating in electronic monitoring pilot projects (Section 4(a)(1)-(2)).
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Increased Transparency: Regional offices of the National Marine Fisheries Service must publish observer coverage requirements online in layman's terms (Section 4(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limited Access to Funds: The "Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund" relies on donations, which may limit the amount of financial aid available to fishermen (Section 5(c)).
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Regulatory Oversight: Fishermen will be subject to expanded electronic monitoring and reporting standards, which may present barriers for small-scale fleets (Section 4(a)(4)).
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+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Students+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Rural Development+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+8
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2Reduces Government Spending-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+2Improves Privacy Rights-2
- 12/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska