SHIFT Act

The SHIFT Act supports healthy fisheries by requiring federal fishery managers to account for ecological changes, such as shifting fish stocks, when setting quotas and managing fisheries across different jurisdictions. It also updates procedures for managing fisheries that cross council boundaries and for authorizing new fisheries or fishing gear.

Sec. 2, Shifting stocks: The Secretary of Commerce must encourage the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Commission to include ecosystem change data in its plans. When setting or revising quota allocations between states, federal, or other management units, the Secretary must use the best scientific information to account for ecological impacts on coastal fishery resources, including changes in fish abundance and distribution and potential food web and habitat impacts.

Sec. 3, Action by the Secretary: This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act to establish a process for determining when a substantial portion of a fishery extends beyond any one regional fishery management council's jurisdiction. The Secretary, based on best scientific information and after consulting with councils, reviews indicators like shifts in stock distribution, fishing effort, or revenue. If a shift is confirmed, the affected councils must designate a lead council or agree to jointly prepare a fishery management plan within set timeframes. If councils cannot agree, the Secretary decides. The process also allows for later determinations that a fishery no longer crosses boundaries, returning management to a single council. Joint plans require approval by a majority of voting members of each concerned council.

Sec. 4, Fishery authorization: This section amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act to require that before adding a new fishery or fishing gear to a list of authorized fisheries, the Secretary must determine that a council has conducted a sufficient analysis showing minimal adverse effects on essential fish habitat, existing fisheries, fishing communities, and the marine ecosystem. Each council must review its list every five years and propose changes. The Secretary can permit limited experimental fishing to gather data for future management. Unlisted fishing gear or fisheries require prior notice to the council, which can prohibit the activity or recommend adding it to the list.

Sec. 5, Reports: The Secretary of Commerce must report to Congress on the implementation of this Act every five years, starting five years after enactment, including metrics on resolved transboundary fisheries and ecological data integration.

Sec. 6, Effective date: This Act takes effect 180 days after enactment.