April 30, 2026
Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to ensure representation for all fishery user groups on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the North Pacific Fishery Management Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, established under section 302(a)(1)(G) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(a)(1)(G)), plays a critical role in managing fisheries in the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska seaward of Alaska, where diverse user groups—including recreational (sport) fishers, non-industrial commercial fishers, rural subsistence users, and urban subsistence users—depend on sustainable fishery resources.
(2)
Current council composition, while requiring fair and balanced apportionment under section 302(b)(2)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(2)(B)), does not mandate minimum representation for those specific user groups, leading to potential underrepresentation of recreational, non-industrial commercial, and subsistence interests amid dominance by large-scale commercial sectors.
(3)
Subsistence fishing is vital to Alaska’s cultural, economic, and food security needs, with rural residents harvesting an estimated 36.9 million pounds of wild foods annually and urban residents contributing to an additional 13.4 million pounds through personal use and subsistence activities.
(4)
Non-industrial commercial fishing, often involving owner-operated vessels under 160 feet, supports local economies and differs significantly from industrial operations, warranting dedicated representation.
(5)
Recreational fishing, including sport and charter operations, contributes to tourism and community livelihoods but lacks guaranteed voice in council decisions.
(6)
Ensuring minimum appointments for these groups will promote balanced management, address ongoing criticisms of bias toward large-scale commercial interests, and align with the goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) of conservation, sustainability, and stakeholder inclusion-driven policymaking.
Sec. 3. North Pacific Fishery Management Council representation
(a) In general
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in section 3 (16 U.S.C. 1802)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraphs (31) through (50) as paragraphs (32) through (51), respectively;
(B)
by inserting after paragraph (30) the following:
(31)
The term non-industrial commercial fishing interest means a person that is or represents the interests of a commercial fishing operation that—
(A)
is owner-operated;
(B)
utilizes only vessels less than 160 feet in length; and
(C)
is not a participant in large-scale industrial seafood harvesting or processing.;
(C)
by redesignating paragraphs (39) through (51), as so redesignated, as paragraphs (40) through (52), respectively;
(D)
by inserting after paragraph (38), as so redesignated, the following:
(39)
The term recreational fishing interest means a person that is a participant in, or represents a person that is a participant in, recreational fishing activities conducted for noncommercial purposes, including sport fishing, charter fishing, and guided fishing.;
(E)
by redesignating paragraphs (41) through (52), as so redesignated, as paragraphs (42) through (53), respectively;
(F)
by inserting after paragraph (40), as so redesignated, the following:
(41)
The term rural subsistence user group means a person that represents residents of rural areas in Alaska who rely on the noncommercial harvest of fish for purposes such as food, cultural practices, or sharing.;
(G)
by redesignating paragraphs (51) through (53), as so redesignated, as paragraphs (52) through (54); and
(H)
by inserting after paragraph (50), as so redesignated, the following:
(51)
The term urban subsistence user group means a person that represents residents of areas in Alaska that are not rural areas who rely on the noncommercial harvest of fish for purposes such as food, cultural practices, or sharing.; and
(2)
in section 302 (16 U.S.C. 1852)—
(A)
in subsection (a)(1)(G), by adding The 5 voting members of the North Pacific Council appointed by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (b)(2) from the State of Alaska shall include at least 1 representative of each of a non-industrial commercial fishing interest, recreational fishing interest, rural subsistence user group, and urban subsistence user group.
at the end; and
(B)
in subsection (b)(2), by adding at the end the following:
(F) Requirement for lists submitted by Governor of Alaska
With respect to each list of individuals submitted by the Governor of Alaska for appointment to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under subparagraph (C), the Governor shall indicate whether an individual included in the list is a representative of a non-industrial commercial fishing interest, recreational fishing interest, rural subsistence user group, or urban subsistence user group.
(b) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to appointments to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council established by section 302(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(a)) made on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section.