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119-s-2883119th Congress

Quantifying Uncertainty and Action to Help Optimize Growth of Shellfish Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Introduced

Summary

East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force would coordinate research and recovery for quahogs and other East Coast bivalves. It focuses on productivity trends, causes of harvest declines, aquaculture support, and economic impacts.

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  • Coastal harvesters and seafood communities — Would get coordinated science and recommendations aimed at understanding and addressing declining quahog and bivalve harvests to inform restoration and management choices.
  • Tribal communities — The task force would include 1 to 3 Indian Tribes and would incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into research and conservation planning.
  • Aquaculture and small businesses — Would get focused study of culture and breeding methods, disease mitigation, restoration techniques, and an assessment of economic value and regulatory barriers to entry for small-scale operators.
  • Researchers and managers — The Secretary of Commerce would convene a 16 to 21 member task force chaired by NOAA. The group would produce an interim report in 1 year and a full report in 2 years to set research priorities and actions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Research group for East Coast shellfish

This bill would require the Commerce Secretary to set up an East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force within 90 days. NOAA would serve as Chair. The Task Force would have 16 to 21 members from federal agencies, fishery councils, states, tribes, industry, and universities. Within 30 days of forming, it would create at least two work groups (one on Rhode Island quahogs and one on climate impacts). Work groups must report to the Task Force within two years. The Task Force must send an interim report after one year and a final report after two years to specified federal agencies and congressional committees, and make them public. Members would not be paid but could get travel pay and per diem at federal rates. The Commerce Secretary would provide administrative support. The bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out these duties.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

RI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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