August 6, 2026
Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Merkley, Mr. King, Mr. Schiff, and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To improve fisheries stock assessments by incorporating eDNA, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) eDNA
The term eDNA means DNA or genetic material contained in samples of water or other environmental media.
(3) Fishery-independent
The term fishery-independent means observations not taken in the course of pursuing commercial fisheries activity.
(4) Indian Tribe
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 Network
The term National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network means the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network established by section 201.
(6) Native Hawaiian organization
The 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).
Sec. 3. Categorical exclusion for water, air, and sediment collection
The 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.).
Title I Improving fisheries stock assessments by incorporating eDNA
Sec. 101. Pilot study on use of eDNA in stock assessments
(a) In general
The Administrator, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service, shall carry out a multi-year pilot study—
(1)
to evaluate the applicability of eDNA-based abundance estimation for a range of commercial fish stocks; and
(2)
to validate the use of eDNA in Federal fishery stock assessments.
(b) Locations
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.
(c) Elements
In carrying out the pilot study required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall—
(1)
conduct comparisons of eDNA sampling and data from existing fishery-independent survey approaches (such as trawl, acoustic, longline, and optical systems);
(2)
incorporate eDNA sampling into ongoing surveys to evaluate the potential for cost reductions and reduced uncertainty associated with stock assessments;
(3)
integrate emerging technologies, as feasible, including autonomous or artificial intelligence-enabled eDNA samplers or processing platforms to increase survey efficiencies;
(4)
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;
(5)
engage with the partners described in subsection (d) throughout study design, sampling, or analysis, as appropriate; and
(6)
ensure transparency by documenting sampling protocols, laboratory workflows, reporting practices, and quality-assurance and quality-control procedures used at each fishery.
(d) Partners
The partners described in this subsection are—
(1)
the Regional Fishery Management Councils established under section 302(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(a));
(2)
the Marine Fisheries Commissions, as defined under section 3(28) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(28));
(3)
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;
(4)
fishermen, including cooperative research partnerships;
(5)
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 (16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(1));
(6)
academic institutions and cooperative institutes;
(7)
private-sector eDNA laboratories, service providers, and technology developers; and
(8)
State agencies and Federal agencies outside of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(e) Annual report
Not less frequently than annually until the pilot study required by subsection (a) concludes, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing—
(1)
the activities, findings, and challenges of the pilot study; and
(2)
next steps.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.
Sec. 102. Implementation plan for evaluating and integrating eDNA methods in federally managed fisheries
(a) In general
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.
(b) Elements
The implementation plan required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1)
A process and timeline for evaluating eDNA suitability for fishery-independent abundance estimation in Federal stock assessments.
(2)
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.
(3)
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.
(4)
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.
(5)
Support for cooperative research with fishermen to expand sampling opportunities and reduce operational costs.
(6)
Ongoing engagement with partners described in section 101(d), as appropriate.
(7)
Alignment with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d).
(8)
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.
(9)
Appropriate safeguards for the use of genetic information, including guidance on the use of genetic stock identification.
(c) Report
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.
Sec. 103. Fisheries workforce and field capacity for eDNA-enabled stock assessments
(a) In general
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.
(b) Activities
In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall—
(1)
train and deploy survey technicians to collect eDNA samples during fishery-independent surveys;
(2)
expand cooperative research partnerships with fishermen to broaden spatial and temporal coverage of sample collection and analysis, where feasible;
(3)
develop field protocols aligned with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d);
(4)
coordinate with the partners described in section 101(d) for cost-effective processing and sample analysis;
(5)
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
(6)
evaluate emerging technologies, including autonomous eDNA samplers or processing platforms, to increase methodological efficiencies.
Sec. 104. Routine collection of eDNA samples in ongoing surveys
(a) In general
The Administrator shall incorporate, in accordance with subsection (b), the routine collection of eDNA samples into ongoing fishery surveys to the extent—
(1)
such additional data improves fisheries assessments or reduces costs; and
(2)
does not disrupt core operations.
(b) Elements
The collection of eDNA samples carried out under subsection (a) shall—
(1)
use standards or best practices developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d);
(2)
be integrated into existing surveys;
(3)
support the development of long-term eDNA time series across regions and fisheries;
(4)
include robust archival bio- and data-repositories, fisheries and ecosystem relevant reference voucher databases, and end-to-end data management systems; and
(5)
enable the evaluation of potential survey efficiencies and expanded coverage of surveys at minimal additional cost.
Sec. 105. Amendments to Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(a) In general
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
409. Environmental DNA and other environmental nucleic acids-based methods
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—
(1)
based on the best scientific information available; and
(2)
guided by—
(A)
the implementation plan required by section 102 of the Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026; and
(B)
the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d) of that Act.
(b) Clerical amendment
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:
Title II Enhancing United States competitiveness through eDNA
Sec. 201. National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network
(a) Establishment
There is established a coordinated, multi-agency initiative, to be known as the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network (in this section referred to as the Network
), to improve the reliability and operational use of eDNA across freshwater, estuarine, coastal, and marine environments.
(b) Governance and structure
(1) Lead agency
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall serve as the lead agency of the Network.
(2) Co-chairs
The Network shall be co-chaired by the Administrator and a representative of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(c) Participating agencies
The Network shall include one or more representatives from each of the following:
(1)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2)
The United States Geological Survey.
(3)
The Environmental Protection Agency.
(4)
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(5)
The National Science Foundation.
(6)
The Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service.
(7)
The Office of Naval Research.
(8)
The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior.
(9)
The Smithsonian Institution.
(10)
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
(11)
The National Institutes of Health.
(12)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(13)
The Council on Environmental Quality.
(14)
The Regional Fishery Management Councils.
(15)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(16)
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.
(d) Responsibilities
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—
(1)
developing national standards for the use of eDNA across freshwater, estuarine, coastal, and marine environments;
(2)
developing a standardized approach for eDNA sampling, laboratory workflows, reporting practices, and analytical consistency;
(3)
ensuring agencies use compatible methods and data formats, enabling eDNA results to be compared, combined, and jointly analyzed across programs and regions;
(4)
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;
(5)
establishing means of quality assurance and quality control training, method verification, proficiency testing, shared reference materials, and interagency calibration;
(6)
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;
(7)
developing open-access data practices with appropriate protections for Tribal data sovereignty;
(8)
identifying opportunities to reduce duplication, integrate monitoring efforts, and align Federal investments in DNA-based monitoring tools; and
(9)
coordinating with existing national and international frameworks, including observing systems, communities of practice, and established data-sharing and delivery systems.
(e) Annual meeting To gather information
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.
(f) Annual report
(1) In general
Not less frequently than once each year, the Administrator shall submit a performance report to the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(2) Elements
Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A)
Progress on standards and protocols.
(B)
Updates on interagency coordination.
(C)
Results from testbeds and method validation.
(D)
Recommendations for future research and monitoring priorities.
(E)
Identified gaps or resource needs.
(F)
Identified non-aquatic applications of eDNA and eRNA methods as described in section (e).
Sec. 202. Research, innovation, and technology transfer
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—
(1)
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);
(2)
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;
(3)
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;
(4)
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;
(5)
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;
(6)
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
(7)
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.
Sec. 203. Strengthening the capabilities of the laboratory and analytical workforce
(a) In general
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.
(b) Activities
Activities carried out under subsection (a) may include—
(1)
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 (33 U.S.C. 1123(a)) and other academic institutions to build expertise in eDNA sampling, genomics, molecular ecology, and bioinformatics;
(2)
establishing partnerships and cooperative agreements with private-sector eDNA laboratories, equipment manufacturers, bioinformatics firms, and technology developers—
(A)
to facilitate technical skill transfer;
(B)
to train personnel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be informed and capable clients;
(C)
to ensure interoperability between public and private workflows; and
(D)
to develop fit-for-purpose uncrewed aquatic sampling technologies;
(3)
expanding the in-house laboratory capacity of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—
(A)
to receive and process samples at a basic operational level;
(B)
to support method development and benchmarking aligned with the national standards developed by the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network under section 201(d); and
(C)
to maintain internal quality assurance and quality control expertise sufficient to verify vendor performance;
(4)
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
(5)
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.