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119-hr-10855119th Congress

QUAHOGS Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

Introduced

Summary

East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force would be created to coordinate science, monitoring, and management of quahogs and other East Coast bivalves to address variable or declining harvests and support sustainable aquaculture.

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  • Fisheries and aquaculture operators would get a coordinated research agenda that seeks causes of harvest declines, evaluates economic impacts, and recommends actions to support sustainable harvests and lower barriers for small operations.
  • Indian Tribes would be included through 1 to 3 tribal representatives and the task force would explicitly consider traditional ecological knowledge when evaluating bivalve management and restoration.
  • Researchers, state managers, and federal agencies would join a 16 to 21 member panel chaired by NOAA to set priorities, form work groups, and align research across regions.
  • Conservation and resource managers would have targeted work groups, including one on quahogs and one on climate impacts, and the panel would produce an interim report in 1 year and a comprehensive report in 2 years covering habitat, disease, restoration, breeding (including genomic techniques), and economic barriers.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New East Coast quahog research task force

If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would have 90 days to form an East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force. The group would have 16 to 21 members from NOAA, EPA, USDA, regional fishery councils, states, Tribes, industry, and academics. A NOAA representative would chair the Task Force. The Task Force would review research and look for ways to address changing quahog and other bivalve harvests.

Quahog and climate research work groups

If enacted, the Task Force would set up at least two work groups within 30 days: one on quahog populations in Rhode Island and across the East Coast, and one on climate-change impacts. Each work group would have at least five members, include at least one Task Force member, and balance fishery and aquaculture stakeholders and scientific experts. Each work group must send its findings to the Task Force within two years of the Task Force start date.

Study causes of declining quahog harvests

If enacted, the Task Force would review bivalve science tied to current and future harvests of quahogs and other important East Coast shellfish. The review would cover habitat, water quality, erosion, climate impacts, disease, breeding techniques and genomic methods, restoration, aquaculture practices, and economic barriers for small operations. The Task Force would identify research gaps and needs to address declining or variable harvests.

Task force funding, support, and travel

If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would provide the administrative support the Task Force needs to meet and work. Task Force members would serve without pay but could be reimbursed for travel and per diem at rates authorized for federal employees. The bill would authorize Congress to appropriate "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the Task Force, but it does not set a dollar amount or guarantee funding.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

RI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 11/2/2026

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 11/2/2026

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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