This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to create a comprehensive online database of information about recreational access to federal waters, particularly the exclusive economic zone off U.S. coasts. The database must include details about fishing restrictions, areas open or closed to recreational boating and diving, vessel restrictions, marine protected areas, and navigation information like depth charts and bathymetric data. The bill primarily affects recreational boaters, fishers, divers, and other ocean users who need current information about where they can legally access and use federal waters.
The Secretary has 31 months to develop data standards in consultation with stakeholders including state and local governments, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The full database must be publicly available within 4 years of enactment, with updates required at least twice yearly for most data and real-time updates for geographic boundaries and marine protected areas. The legislation allows the Secretary to partner with various entities including states, tribes, universities, and private companies to implement the program, though no specific funding amounts are mentioned in the bill.
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