Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act

This bill modifies provisions related to fishery management activities.

Among other things, the bill

• authorizes fishery management councils to use alternative measures as part of management plans at recreational fisheries and for recreational portions of mixed-use fisheries;
• revises the annual catch limit requirements, including by allowing councils to consider changes in an ecosystem changes and the economic needs of the fishing communities when establishing limits;
• directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish every three years a plan to conduct stock assessments for any species subject to a fishery management plan;
• requires NOAA to develop a plan for implementing cooperative research with fisherman and outside groups;
• prohibits feeding sharks in federal waters off the coast of Florida; and
• sets forth requirements under which a state may encourage the elimination of lionfish.