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This bill reauthorizes and expands federal programs designed to reduce unwanted fish catches in commercial fishing operations. It extends funding of $10 million per year through 2029 for the existing bycatch reduction engineering program, which develops and tests new fishing technologies and methods. The bill also creates a new Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will accept donations and distribute grants to help fishermen purchase equipment and technology to minimize bycatch. At least 60 percent of the assistance from the new fund must go to small fishing vessels of 65 feet or less in length. The foundation will be required to report publicly every two years on how the fund money is being used, in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and regional marine science centers.

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