SHIFT Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because fish populations are moving due to climate change, ocean warming, and other environmental factors. Current fishery management often relies on historical fishing grounds and fixed boundaries, which can become outdated when fish stocks shift. Without adapting management, there's a risk of overfishing in new areas, underfishing in old areas, or economic instability for fishermen whose livelihoods depend on these moving resources.

If this bill becomes law, fishery management would be more responsive to real-world ecological changes. It aims to prevent conflicts between different states or regions over shared, shifting fish stocks and ensure that conservation efforts remain effective. If it doesn't become law, fishery management might continue to struggle with adapting to dynamic ocean conditions, potentially leading to less effective conservation, economic hardship for fishing communities, and prolonged disputes over who manages what, as fish continue to move.

KEY PROVISIONS

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Requires the Secretary of Commerce to encourage the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to use data on ecosystem changes, including fish abundance and distribution shifts, when creating or amending coastal fishery management plans and setting fishing quotas.

This ensures that management decisions for Atlantic fisheries are based on the latest understanding of how the environment is impacting fish populations.

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Establishes a formal process for the Secretary or a regional council to determine if a significant portion of a fishery or its related fishing activity has moved beyond one council's management area due to ecological changes.

This addresses the challenge of managing fish stocks that are shifting their geographic ranges across traditional management boundaries.

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Outlines a structured method for regional fishery management councils, and if necessary, the Secretary of Commerce, to decide whether one council or multiple councils jointly will manage a "shifted" fishery, including deadlines for these decisions.

This provides a clear path for establishing or amending management plans for fisheries that now span multiple jurisdictions, preventing management gaps or conflicts.

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Requires the Secretary to establish, through public rulemaking, clear criteria for determining when a "substantial portion" of a fishery has shifted across management boundaries.

This ensures transparency and a consistent, science-based approach to making critical decisions about fishery management responsibilities.

DEADLINES & DATES

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Not later than 6 months after a request is made.

Secretary notifies Councils concerned after determining a substantial fishery shift.

Not later than 1 year after Secretary's notification.

Councils concerned must agree to designate a managing Council or jointly prepare a plan.

Not later than 2 years after Council decision or Secretary decision.

Designated/jointly managing Council(s) must establish or amend a fishery management plan.

Not later than 2 years after the Secretary determines the predominant Council.

Council for a fishery that no longer extends beyond one Council's area must establish or amend a fishery management plan.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Fishery Management Plan (FMP): A document that outlines the rules and regulations for managing a specific fish population or group of populations, including quotas, seasons, and gear restrictions.
Quota Allocation: The specific amount of fish that different groups (like states, commercial fishermen, or recreational fishermen) are allowed to catch from a particular stock.
Ecosystem Changes: Shifts in the natural environment, such as ocean temperature, habitat availability, or the abundance of other species, that can affect fish populations.
Stock Distribution: The geographic area where a particular group of fish (a "stock") is found.
Regional Fishery Management Council: One of eight regional bodies in the U.S. responsible for developing fishery management plans for federal waters, working with the Secretary of Commerce.
Secretary (of Commerce): Refers to the head of the U.S. Department of Commerce, who oversees federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NOAA Fisheries.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 15

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 15

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

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MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeReferred

Jan 15, 2026

senate

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

SHIFT Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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SHIFT Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

SHIFT Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals