119 S5273 IS: Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026
U.S. Senate
2026-08-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.This Act may be cited as the Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026
.2.In this Act:(1)The term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.(2)The term eDNA means DNA or genetic material contained in samples of water or other environmental media.(3)The term fishery-independent means observations not taken in the course of pursuing commercial fisheries activity.(4)The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(5)National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination NetworkThe term National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network means the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network established by section 201.(6)Native Hawaiian organizationThe term Native Hawaiian organization has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).3.Categorical exclusion for water, air, and sediment collectionThe collection of water, air, or sediment samples exclusively for eDNA analysis shall not constitute a taking under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.).<enum>I</enum><header>Improving fisheries stock assessments by incorporating <enum-in-header>e</enum-in-header>DNA</header><section id="id610a79910ad24c6c9e8430475c3c9266"><enum>101.</enum><header>Pilot study on use of <enum-in-header>e</enum-in-header>DNA in stock assessments</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1e8b7c07c14542de8e3a7e03d21305ec"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service, shall carry out a multi-year pilot study—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3eeb842274034e6da356d2257a96c1ff"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to evaluate the applicability of eDNA-based abundance estimation for a range of commercial fish stocks; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id543e8ee9399e4e1b91de2e7e7495499d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to validate the use of eDNA in Federal fishery stock assessments.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id20a981d3e03e44cb9d14613f0526576e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Locations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator shall carry out the pilot study required by subsection (a) in not less than 3 federally managed fisheries representing diverse regions, diverse stock structures, or areas with limited survey coverage.</text></subsection><subsection id="idcb3235a28b0c4572bd5222ad6c94901b"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>In carrying out the pilot study required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall—</text><paragraph id="id35109a55b9e947519b362db1b901eeff"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct comparisons of eDNA sampling and data from existing fishery-independent survey approaches (such as trawl, acoustic, longline, and optical systems);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6772b954c36c406591ae9b3bb00fe83e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>incorporate eDNA sampling into ongoing surveys to evaluate the potential for cost reductions and reduced uncertainty associated with stock assessments;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idec4fd40dbe6049f091a283971f3ee807"><enum>(3)</enum><text>integrate emerging technologies, as feasible, including autonomous or artificial intelligence-enabled eDNA samplers or processing platforms to increase survey efficiencies;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id23e8d8e2f7f14185b263aa427491501e"><enum>(4)</enum><text>evaluate and document the performance of eDNA-based methods for each fishery in which the pilot study is conducted, including the conditions under which eDNA could be used for stock assessments and management decisions;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id417b1a0153354cd7a23427217d2dfad0"><enum>(5)</enum><text>engage with the partners described in subsection (d) throughout study design, sampling, or analysis, as appropriate; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9cbc82474e9a4e57bfaf15ad23438945"><enum>(6)</enum><text>ensure transparency by documenting sampling protocols, laboratory workflows, reporting practices, and quality-assurance and quality-control procedures used at each fishery.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7c470050a6f04c679f4f091b4fbda31c"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Partners</header><text>The partners described in this subsection are—</text><paragraph id="id1cdeb13edf8f45d283cc7106c8d89d87"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Regional Fishery Management Councils established under section 302(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1852">16 U.S.C. 1852(a)</external-xref>);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3f80a884a2e4423394f7654a9ef79c54"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Marine Fisheries Commissions, as defined under section 3(28) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1802">16 U.S.C. 1802(28)</external-xref>);</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc5783e3055224f57855fddd63334461d"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native Pacific Islander organizations in Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id440d0314f07740b489de58dc28ae9b42"><enum>(4)</enum><text>fishermen, including cooperative research partnerships;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2100314783ac43f68d8f657124b42dd5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>entities eligible to participate in the western Alaska community development quota program established under section 305(i)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1855">16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1)</external-xref>);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf9dc2f7cf1e349f3aed9347325266e6d"><enum>(6)</enum><text>academic institutions and cooperative institutes;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8b8e43bdf3494a51ab7446e89fdf2f35"><enum>(7)</enum><text>private-sector eDNA laboratories, service providers, and technology developers; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id81d98559aa3c4c89bf7843fd35e88282"><enum>(8)</enum><text>State agencies and Federal agencies outside of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbe829fcb945947ff86d8b8a21db435f1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not less frequently than annually until the pilot study required by subsection (a) concludes, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide61b6c8113714838b3ebd0c78832c100"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the activities, findings, and challenges of the pilot study; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide0023570a99e4d4aa48e9c55f6f1fe21"><enum>(2)</enum><text>next steps.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id718ec96f36004ab8b8e7280c5fd14f53"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.</text></subsection></section><section id="id5c75ccfdcd9a47b1ae4d15c327ad2d09"><enum>102.</enum><header>Implementation plan for evaluating and integrating <enum-in-header>e</enum-in-header>DNA methods in federally managed fisheries</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida4e20cb6b7ea418685b67090514c95ae"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator shall develop an implementation plan that builds on the results of the pilot study required under section 101 to provide a structured pathway for evaluating and, where appropriate, integrating eDNA methods in federally managed fisheries.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id518bdd21bd0644c1839a27a7aac6eaed"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The implementation plan required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph id="idec94bd84c72f4239af551e1831b3aa0d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A process and timeline for evaluating eDNA suitability for fishery-independent abundance estimation in Federal stock assessments.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3eb0372dbfb44e17be9c0d1710fef3f7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A prioritization framework for fisheries based on the economic or subsistence importance of the fishery, the degree to which eDNA may reduce uncertainty in assessments, the degree to which the fishery is data deficient, and geographic representation across all regions of the National Marine Fisheries Service.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide79b3c4fab144a70b94e6a79200e6011"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An identification of workforce, vessel, laboratory, and analytical capacity needs, including opportunities to collaborate with private-sector or academic laboratories to encourage private-sector investment and to avoid unnecessary duplication.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ideebf81a6efc4481493c4918c708d35f5"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A plan for incorporating validated eDNA data into stock assessment processes and methodologies, consistent with scientific best practices and ongoing improvement initiatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idd0cef9ee5f85498c981a4c88553cfd26"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Support for cooperative research with fishermen to expand sampling opportunities and reduce operational costs.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idaddf313c9e954a3f8199405702cf46bc"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Ongoing engagement with partners described in section 101(d), as appropriate.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida588346af89f45fb97ddefbffe46c33f"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Alignment with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d).</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id45f352953f4a4d50a06647cabc3f0e13"><enum>(8)</enum><text>An identification of opportunities to improve the efficiency of surveys, expand the coverage of surveys, or develop early indicators of ecosystem change, including invasive species, in support of ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idaeba2b3f55dd4f1ab403de9ce843e5f4"><enum>(9)</enum><text>Appropriate safeguards for the use of genetic information, including guidance on the use of genetic stock identification.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idec2d71d752364196b701cf8dc485f08b"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date on which the pilot study required by section 101 begins, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that summarizes the progress and efficacy of eDNA implementation in Federal fishery management.</text></subsection></section><section id="idedcb733e010f4f9c9de6ffd55b1eeffd"><enum>103.</enum><header>Fisheries workforce and field capacity for <enum-in-header>e</enum-in-header>DNA-enabled stock assessments</header><subsection id="id2b4972cac07b4021b78cd634487b296e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator shall expand the workforce and field capacity of the National Marine Fisheries Service, in coordination with other Line Offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to support the sampling and integration of eDNA into fishery stock assessments.</text></subsection><subsection id="idd8264fa4281b4e6cb5e8bb820546ae85"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Activities</header><text>In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall—</text><paragraph id="id5732b0112dc441319954ab3c152b397d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>train and deploy survey technicians to collect eDNA samples during fishery-independent surveys;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc31aaf04dd7b4590a21fe10144824c03"><enum>(2)</enum><text>expand cooperative research partnerships with fishermen to broaden spatial and temporal coverage of sample collection and analysis, where feasible;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9599cbb5408344e89ac7279940f11ef4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>develop field protocols aligned with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9ef0b42c6ba54cad86dfacd322a3f24d"><enum>(4)</enum><text>coordinate with the partners described in section 101(d) for cost-effective processing and sample analysis;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc2e6e3e2d0da4844b68d276ed7fcfa18"><enum>(5)</enum><text>support training for personnel of the National Marine Fisheries Service in eDNA sample collection, handling, quality assurance and quality control procedures, and modeling to maintain core expertise in producing, interpreting, and translating eDNA data into information useful for stock assessments; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf940d2a9f7524d548a6ea03c6d7f8cb7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>evaluate emerging technologies, including autonomous eDNA samplers or processing platforms, to increase methodological efficiencies.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idf7ff5e3a33ab42ff90fe90c7bf457bb2"><enum>104.</enum><header>Routine collection of <enum-in-header>e</enum-in-header>DNA samples in ongoing surveys</header><subsection id="id8f47eb1589ff41f6975de0fd5f88da5e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator shall incorporate, in accordance with subsection (b), the routine collection of eDNA samples into ongoing fishery surveys to the extent—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9cd07ffca33140aeb9758a887a273352"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such additional data improves fisheries assessments or reduces costs; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id32d9be1f0d4a4ebf9f6fcc9c858da64b"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not disrupt core operations.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id697c650a478a45a39c7ad20cbacd191c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The collection of eDNA samples carried out under subsection (a) shall—</text><paragraph id="id8f1bcdb0b6c74ceaad2cc4e9ac623d64"><enum>(1)</enum><text>use standards or best practices developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id128a3a4dae7e49f1b6bc175e015c1cd2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be integrated into existing surveys;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id211f222fb76c4388b8cae943fd8f2ba7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>support the development of long-term eDNA time series across regions and fisheries;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id39ef092e6b624175beaec164f7a555a6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>include robust archival bio- and data-repositories, fisheries and ecosystem relevant reference voucher databases, and end-to-end data management systems; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id98a570d7c21445a7bf02a0304b2b2c80"><enum>(5)</enum><text>enable the evaluation of potential survey efficiencies and expanded coverage of surveys at minimal additional cost.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ida959b13efb404f068247b6f63a4436b8"><enum>105.</enum><header>Amendments to Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4c5de5bbc2c6497898fcb4631b0c00cd"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1801">16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="idB0020BDD1CC6482FBC3E066DACDE2D20" style="OLC" act-name=""><section id="id6BC7D7EC0FF24ACBBE7AE7848F8E38BD" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>409.</enum><header>Environmental DNA and other environmental nucleic acids-based methods</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate environmental DNA and other environmental nucleic acids-based methods into fisheries research, fishery-independent surveys, stock assessments, and ecosystem monitoring—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idabd8ffa8b45440f79d09bd89e7c9df1a"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">based on the best scientific information available; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4f553647d54e4d29aaa0f3141153619c"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">guided by—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc236c42650394e3cac8b83848f468933"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the implementation plan required by section 102 of the <short-title>Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026</short-title>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id11a4d4cf0c3b453c83a9a0ac7fcece59"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d) of that Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcb8e25add72d46f8a294de37f3125cc7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents at the beginning of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide40324c45164406bbb3c6500e03b8fa6"><toc><toc-entry level="section" bold="off">Sec. 409. Environmental DNA and other environmental nucleic acids-based methods.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Enhancing United States competitiveness through <enum-in-header>e</enum-in-header>DNA</header><section id="idcb80329387434b9baeffa5a2018ea69d"><enum>201.</enum><header>National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida28d6d0f974147188396b78da4583ae3"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established a coordinated, multi-agency initiative, to be known as the <term>National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network</term> (in this section referred to as the <quote>Network</quote>), to improve the reliability and operational use of eDNA across freshwater, estuarine, coastal, and marine environments.</text></subsection><subsection id="id45824cc4fa684fb290415fb6e96d583c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Governance and structure</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1dcf4d5d11ce433bb495197a96342890"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Lead agency</header><text>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall serve as the lead agency of the Network.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4d5065bdda784e55a1580d0e58036464"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Co-chairs</header><text>The Network shall be co-chaired by the Administrator and a representative of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9fcd019a59444b20bad1ff5493826b50"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Participating agencies</header><text>The Network shall include one or more representatives from each of the following:</text><paragraph id="id83380e40254c4e6f9907abc05edc452a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id745e02d003c04c5a85b9f4519bd9f1ad"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The United States Geological Survey.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id027161596fc94b149d09ee4411d1d411"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Environmental Protection Agency.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idb538568bbe1e4159925dd8e8702973cc"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id05b4dc8897704959b9611655f33acbd1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The National Science Foundation.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id82674b5ab44f4166a7bb1e22d499c1a6"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id53f57be1a9df4c659f6d8fb7e5134a04"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The Office of Naval Research.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida0a8209b7b7e4576a023e460c424ddb7"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3f87835a9a6949a7aea989f48e73ee83"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The Smithsonian Institution.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8d96180191104558acbcdc755d7ffb77"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id53651e5c7441425ca8d7298375b82455"><enum>(11)</enum><text>The National Institutes of Health.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id001c660cd312475e85209a05e87cb0d2"><enum>(12)</enum><text>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3e409bbffa344354acfb2a2db2b1c754"><enum>(13)</enum><text>The Council on Environmental Quality.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida519364ca02b45d3bfdf4da48688bac1"><enum>(14)</enum><text>The Regional Fishery Management Councils.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idba0b5ca62f8e4737b5d2430b9cdc5bd0"><enum>(15)</enum><text>The National Institute of Standards and Technology.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id50c79192ff3548ec86e2c55705b8e203"><enum>(16)</enum><text>Such other agencies as the co-chairs of the Network may designate based on the roles of such agencies in aquatic or environmental monitoring, scientific standard-setting, or environmental review processes.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id22b7176ee8b34740851951e65aae7f22"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Network shall coordinate Federal eDNA-related activities across the full aquatic continuum (including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, coastal waters, and offshore environments), including by—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbb7bf977407845d5848ba07cdbb89f0d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>developing national standards for the use of eDNA across freshwater, estuarine, coastal, and marine environments;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6c069873b6d14a2085146a7c33675b95"><enum>(2)</enum><text>developing a standardized approach for eDNA sampling, laboratory workflows, reporting practices, and analytical consistency;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id80730f31789e4f04a33fe981c526f017"><enum>(3)</enum><text>ensuring agencies use compatible methods and data formats, enabling eDNA results to be compared, combined, and jointly analyzed across programs and regions;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id93dbae33002c448e93b6513d84078fba"><enum>(4)</enum><text>designating pilot testbeds across the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the National Estuary Program, the National Ecological Observatory Network, the National Aquatic Resource Surveys, the Integrated Ocean Observing System, the National Science Foundation Long-Term Ecological Research program, and other similar programs, to evaluate and intercalibrate methods under diverse environmental and operational conditions;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id125fd8ec6eb8419eb672c9535188dabe"><enum>(5)</enum><text>establishing means of quality assurance and quality control training, method verification, proficiency testing, shared reference materials, and interagency calibration;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id138470237a66432e8f0bfcbbc512e0a0"><enum>(6)</enum><text>coordinating with States, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Native Pacific Islander organizations in Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and regional partners to ensure broad applicability and uptake of national standards;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idb633665d61ab465b8b89fb9892a3ca95"><enum>(7)</enum><text>developing open-access data practices with appropriate protections for Tribal data sovereignty;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idaeeab538a14f47dd8c95b173c18cf328"><enum>(8)</enum><text>identifying opportunities to reduce duplication, integrate monitoring efforts, and align Federal investments in DNA-based monitoring tools; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id221620ae2b954800a580c57b609257cb"><enum>(9)</enum><text>coordinating with existing national and international frameworks, including observing systems, communities of practice, and established data-sharing and delivery systems.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4496b68b2f3b47daa1281a40da1a4f46"> <enum>(e)</enum> <header>Annual meeting To gather information</header> <text>In addition to the responsibilities described in section (d), the Network shall meet annually to gather information on non-aquatic applications of eDNA and eRNA methods, including sampling of terrestrial and atmospheric environments.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ida6e06e3097b44afb9dcabf1fdb444c54"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Annual report</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id44a71d02b8124324be99cde05779f409"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not less frequently than once each year, the Administrator shall submit a performance report to the Office of Science and Technology Policy.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id065a3373f56f4e2e97951c37166b0b3c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text><subparagraph id="id6b7fb6e06c22484cb925ee1706a53ad9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Progress on standards and protocols.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id85372f68ae8a4ee5a6b57ee671903987"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Updates on interagency coordination.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7d5ea1e5a8b14ceb88cab8e9b9c7123e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Results from testbeds and method validation.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5b5f3f25b8914de4a3a526a3368a2d4a"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Recommendations for future research and monitoring priorities.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3ddfd0291ffa42bfa5346ff99846c74c"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Identified gaps or resource needs.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6a664619682b4f40a9c3e8bf7b145530"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Identified non-aquatic applications of eDNA and eRNA methods as described in section (e).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id8a356b93ed8e4dc2b36f15a3772d19ab"><enum>202.</enum><header>Research, innovation, and technology transfer</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">To support the development and operational use of reliable and cost-effective eDNA tools, the Administrator, in coordination with the agencies participating in the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network, may carry out activities that—</text><paragraph id="id6b0ce85501d54a2f87e2e48ca2cb6a6b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>facilitate scientific advancement in eDNA methods, including development of species detection markers, improved field sampling tools, maintenance and expansion of genetic reference libraries, and analytical workflows aligned with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id486975632b01444d9434f30932cf5d93"><enum>(2)</enum><text>encourage methodological innovation leveraging National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ocean engineering capabilities, including exploration, development, and testing of autonomous, automated, or artificial intelligence-enabled eDNA sampling technologies where those technologies may increase the efficiency of surveys or reduce costs;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3e2da161a54a46758ccb1d42f40e6855"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">support technological innovation in the detection of DNA and RNA from environmental samples, including the tools, informatics pipelines, and modeling that will be used for such innovation;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf3fe8834367147bd8ed0b39d0e2cdbda"><enum>(4)</enum><text>promote bidirectional technology transfer among Federal agencies, academic researchers, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Native Pacific Islander organizations in Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and private-sector firms involved in sequencing, sampling equipment, bioinformatics, and the provision of eDNA services;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id00824f25b94d43dca6f9593040c96323"><enum>(5)</enum><text>develop and publish performance expectations, including minimum reliability, repeatability, and quality assurance and quality control requirements, to guide Federal procurement of eDNA tools and services and support market entry by United States innovators;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idb01bed05e2044c1585fbaac3c72438ff"><enum>(6)</enum><text>ensure that research and innovation efforts support and reflect the national standards and best practices developed under section 201(d) for sampling, laboratory workflows, metadata, and bioinformatics; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9ec46573d66b43d0ba3411c495ef97f2"><enum>(7)</enum><text>provide periodic updates to Congress, incorporated into the annual reports required by section 201(f), summarizing research progress, private-sector engagement, and remaining scientific or operational gaps.</text></paragraph></section><section id="id3a58f98b2d78441b88a850b44da6f1c7"><enum>203.</enum><header>Strengthening the capabilities of the laboratory and analytical workforce</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id53f3f6cd7bc64867af96d638de5daa4b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal partners can effectively use eDNA and eDNA-based monitoring tools while supporting the growth of United States eDNA service providers, the Administrator, in coordination with the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network, may carry out activities that strengthen the capabilities of the laboratory and analytical workforce of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8e957ff1b8c94d6ca08bd62a69d3c8fb"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Activities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Activities carried out under subsection (a) may include—</text><paragraph id="idff0b4fb74cee4c5f8ffcf83d8b20b655"><enum>(1)</enum><text>supporting training programs and fellowships through the national sea grant college program maintained under section 204(a) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/1123">33 U.S.C. 1123(a)</external-xref>) and other academic institutions to build expertise in eDNA sampling, genomics, molecular ecology, and bioinformatics;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id802577cac90f4917bd2688d6670743a7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>establishing partnerships and cooperative agreements with private-sector eDNA laboratories, equipment manufacturers, bioinformatics firms, and technology developers—</text><subparagraph id="id8fe2c153b89e43a3b0d22beb33c8b252"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to facilitate technical skill transfer;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id652e2e188b6242f7919722d2eb8f84dd"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to train personnel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be informed and capable clients;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2c4622db0c664c72a89803538bff290d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to ensure interoperability between public and private workflows; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id27e20de87f6e4181ba5d220f8bedbca9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to develop fit-for-purpose uncrewed aquatic sampling technologies;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id506c6748db0c44898bcade53f265419c"><enum>(3)</enum><text>expanding the in-house laboratory capacity of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—</text><subparagraph id="ida7c165b88e7d4fd38616774dc8bb323d"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to receive and process samples at a basic operational level;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0101c69b9cb84ddd95a4ab62ccad879b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to support method development and benchmarking aligned with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id869e9618ff104703a906cbc47d0a1b07"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to maintain internal quality assurance and quality control expertise sufficient to verify vendor performance;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idfbd42ca575404284b8657fbb0306a403"><enum>(4)</enum><text>encouraging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and partner agencies to contract with accredited external laboratories and service providers for routine eDNA sample processing, sequencing, and interpretation, when feasible, cost-effective, and consistent with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ide3b8cd664b3e496f87bc6554c47f14a2"><enum>(5)</enum><text>ensuring that any Federal workforce or laboratory activities are fully interoperable with the national standards and protocols developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d) for sampling, reporting, and analytical consistency, supporting shared reference materials, proficiency testing, and calibration across Federal agencies and private partners.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>