U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, is backing a bipartisan bill that would update how federal officials track and protect fisheries.
The Fisheries Science Modernization Act would add environmental DNA and other biomolecular tools to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries programs. The goal is to make fish population surveys more accurate and less expensive.
NOAA’s current stock assessment methods are costly and limited by the availability of research vessels, leaving gaps in survey coverage. The scientific agency is tasked with tracking changes in climate, weather, oceans and coasts.
The bill would allow the agency to use eDNA, a modern tool already widely used in the private sector, in its assessments. Researchers use the technology to collect data in remote or hazardous environments at a lower cost than traditional surveys.
“Fisheries have long been an essential part of Maine’s economy and culture, and their enduring prominence depends upon their sustainability,” King said. “By painting a more accurate picture of species health, we can be certain that our fisheries receive the attention they need, improving their sustainability and keeping them healthy for generations to come.”
