H.R. 3714: Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025, aims to enhance the management of forage fish, which are small to intermediate-sized fish that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as prey for larger fish and other marine animals. Here are the key components of the bill:

Findings

The bill recognizes that forage fish are vital in transferring energy from smaller organisms like plankton to larger predators such as tuna and pollock. It notes that fluctuations in the populations of these fish can significantly affect marine communities and ecosystems, highlighting the need for focused management of forage fish to maintain ecosystem health and sustainable fisheries.

Definitions

The bill mandates the Secretary of Commerce, with advice from regional fishery management councils, to define “forage fish” within 12 months of the bill's enactment. This definition will take into account specific criteria related to the lifecycle and ecological role of these species:

• Fish that exist at a low trophic level.
• Generally small- to intermediate-sized species.
• Species that school or form dense aggregations.
• Fish that contribute significantly to the diets of larger marine animals.
• Species that help transfer energy to higher trophic level predators.

Scientific Advice

The bill requires scientific and statistical committees to provide ongoing scientific advice for fishery management decisions. This includes recommendations on:

• Acceptable biological catch.
• Preventing overfishing.
• Maximizing sustainable yield.
• Rebuilding fish populations.
• Maintaining healthy and diverse forage fish populations.
• Assessing the impacts of management measures.

Council Functions

The bill enhances the responsibilities of fishery management councils regarding forage fish:

• Research on forage fish populations and their distribution must be prioritized.
• Councils are tasked with identifying unmanaged forage fish in their jurisdictions and recommending conservation plans to manage these species effectively.

Management Plans

The bill requires that fishery management plans include assessments that consider the dietary needs of other marine wildlife, such as birds and marine mammals, reliant on forage fish, when setting annual catch limits.

Action by Secretary of Commerce

Within 18 months of the enactment, the Secretary of Commerce must create guidelines to help implement the provisions regarding forage fish management. This includes coordination with councils and various stakeholders.

River Herring and Shad

The bill specifically addresses river herring and shad, requiring that they be included in fishery management plans. The Secretary of Commerce must amend these plans to manage these species within 180 days of enactment.

Rule of Construction

The bill clarifies that nothing in it should be interpreted as expanding or limiting the jurisdiction of states or affecting existing laws related to fisheries management.

Relevant Companies

None found.