This bill aims to reduce unwanted fish catches (bycatch) and protect ocean habitats in Alaskan fisheries through research, technology development, and financial assistance. The legislation directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct studies on salmon migration patterns, ecosystem changes, and the impact of fishing gear on the seafloor in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska, with results due within three years. The bill also establishes a flume tank facility for testing new fishing gear and technology, streamlines the approval process for electronic monitoring systems in fisheries, and creates a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund to help fishing vessel owners purchase equipment that reduces bycatch and habitat damage. The legislation authorizes $4 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for the existing Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program and relies on donations to fund the new assistance fund, with progress reports required every two to three years.
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