East Coast Shellfish Research and Conservation: Supporting Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This Act establishes the East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force to investigate the causes of declining shellfish populations, such as quahogs, oysters, and scallops, along the East Coast. The Task Force will coordinate research and develop strategies to support sustainable bivalve fisheries and aquaculture operations. For citizens, this aims to secure local food sources, protect jobs in coastal communities, and ensure better management of vital marine resources affected by environmental changes.
Key points
Establishment of a Task Force: Creation of a team of experts, industry representatives, Indian Tribes, and government agencies to coordinate research on bivalves (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops).
Prioritized Research: Focus on understanding why bivalve populations are declining, including analyzing the impacts of climate change, ocean acidification, water quality, and diseases.
Industry Support: Development of recommendations to support sustainable bivalve fishing and aquaculture, crucial for the economic stability of coastal communities.
Public Reports: The Task Force is required to submit and make publicly available reports detailing research findings and recommendations within two years.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_2883
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Process start date: 2025-09-18