To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to modify requirements for the appointment and training of members of Regional Fishery Management Councils, and for other purposes.
Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to revise requirements for the appointment and training of the voting members of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils.
Requires each science and statistical committee established by a Council to include a fishery and marine science subcommittee. Sets forth subcommittee functions, primarily to determine for the Council biological catch limits that will prevent overfishing in a fishery and any protections required for threatened or endangered species.
Revises requirements regarding the disclosure of financial interests by and recusal of members with respect to voting on Council decisions.
Revises provisions required to be in a fishery management plan to require such a plan to allocate any quotas or other conservation and management measures fairly and equitably among the commercial, recreational, and charter fishing sectors in the fishery, and allow fishery sectors to develop allocation plans subject to Council approval.
Provides for peer review of fishery and marine science subcommittee determinations to the Council.
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to carry out a cooperative research, data collection, and gear modification program to conduct conservation projects to minimize the mortality of unavoidable bycatch or fishery impacts on essential fish habitat through modifications of fishing gear and practices.
Amends the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to make certain funds available to implement the cooperative research, data collection, and gear modification program.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee Without Recommendation .
Committee Hearings Held.
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