Bill · S. 3658· Senate(119-S-3658)
SHIFT Act
- Introduced
- 1/15/2026
- Last activity
- 1/15/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SHIFT Act aims to support healthy fisheries by adjusting to changing ocean conditions. It requires the Secretary to account for ecological changes, such as shifting fish abundance or distribution, when establishing quota allocations. The bill provides a process for managing fisheries that move across different regional Council jurisdictions. It also updates how new fisheries or fishing gear are added to authorized lists, requiring analysis of their impact on habitats and communities. Additionally, the Act establishes protocols for experimental fishing and mandates periodic reviews of fishery lists. Finally, the Secretary must submit regular reports to Congress regarding the implementation of these changes.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill mandates that the Secretary account for ecological changes and habitat impacts when establishing fishing quotas and new fisheries.
Would farmers be better off under this?+3
The act provides more adaptive management for those involved in primary resource extraction like fishing.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill requires the Secretary to make data from experimental fishing public and submit regular reports to Congress.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Resource Management: The Secretary is required to account for changes in fish abundance and distribution when setting quotas (Section 2). This uses the best scientific information available to handle shifts in the ecosystem.
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Adaptability to Changing Fisheries: The bill creates a mechanism to handle fisheries that move from one Council's jurisdiction to another (Section 3). This ensures that when fish stocks or fishing efforts shift geographically, there is a clear process to designate which Council manages them.
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Protection of Ecosystems and Communities: New fisheries or fishing gear can only be added after an analysis concludes they will have minimal adverse effects on essential fish habitat, existing fisheries, fishing communities, and the marine ecosystem (Section 4).
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Data-Driven Decision Making: The Act allows for experimental fishing to gather necessary data for developing management plans (Section 4). This helps ensure that new fishing activities are managed based on actual information.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Administrative and Decision-Making Delays: The process for managing fisheries that cross jurisdictions involves specific timelines, such as 6 months for notification and 1 year for Councils to designate management (Section 3). If Councils cannot agree or meet requirements, the Secretary must step in to designate a manager or require a joint plan.
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Potential Restrictions on Fishing: Individuals or vessels cannot use new fishing gear or engage in new fisheries that are not on the authorized list without providing prior written notice to the Council (Section 4). The Council then has the authority to prohibit that activity.
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 Farmers+3Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Low Income Households+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 1/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts