S. 4938, the Bycatch Reduction Act, advanced out of committee on September 16, 2026.
S. 4938 — Bycatch Reduction Act
What it does
This bill establishes new fishing regulations for Alaska's Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska to reduce bycatch (unintended catch of non-target species) and seafloor damage from trawl fishing. It requires fishing vessels to install seafloor contact detection systems and salmon excluder devices, mandates gear modifications, funds research on salmon migration and ecosystem health, improves transparency in fishery management council meetings, prohibits imports of seafood from foreign vessels using unsustainable practices, and creates a fund to help fishing companies purchase cleaner gear and technology.
Quorum's transparency scan gave Bycatch Reduction Act a moderate transparency flag.
What happens next
S. 4938 advanced out of committee. Next stop: a floor vote.
Who is behind it
Filed by Dan Sullivan.
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