This bill, titled the Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025, aims to implement the international Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. It establishes a comprehensive framework for the protection of these species, defined as Procellariiformes listed under Annex I of the Agreement, whether dead or alive, including their parts, eggs, nests, or products. The Act applies to covered albatrosses and petrels within U.S. jurisdiction and to U.S. vessels and nationals operating abroad. The legislation mandates various conservation measures, including activities to reestablish species and manage nonnative species through prevention, eradication, and control efforts. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to undertake habitat conservation and restoration , utilizing existing authorities for breeding sites and marine environments. This includes ensuring the sustainability of living marine resources that serve as food for these birds. The bill addresses the management of human activities by authorizing research into the effects of pollutants and marine debris , and implementing measures to minimize their impact. Crucially, it empowers the Secretaries to develop and implement measures, including regulations, to prevent, minimize, or mitigate the take and disturbance of covered albatrosses and petrels. This extends to addressing bycatch in fisheries through regional assessments, data collection via observer programs, and research into mitigation techniques. The Act establishes prohibited acts , making it unlawful to take or disturb covered albatrosses and petrels or interfere with enforcement, though it allows for the authorization of take through permits or regulations for specific purposes like propagation, scientific study, or incidental take under certain conditions. Exemptions are granted for military activities, Coast Guard emergency responses, and incidental bycatch in lawful fishing activities that adhere to mitigation measures. Enforcement is shared among the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Coast Guard, with penalties aligning with existing environmental laws. The bill designates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service as the "United States Authority" for the Agreement, responsible for monitoring and enforcing its provisions. It requires regular reporting to Congress on the status of covered albatrosses and petrels and conservation actions taken. Furthermore, the Act promotes international cooperation through data exchange, shared management approaches, education programs, and financial support to the Agreement's Secretariat and other countries to achieve conservation objectives.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Animals
Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3189| House
| Updated: 5/5/2025
This bill, titled the Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025, aims to implement the international Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. It establishes a comprehensive framework for the protection of these species, defined as Procellariiformes listed under Annex I of the Agreement, whether dead or alive, including their parts, eggs, nests, or products. The Act applies to covered albatrosses and petrels within U.S. jurisdiction and to U.S. vessels and nationals operating abroad. The legislation mandates various conservation measures, including activities to reestablish species and manage nonnative species through prevention, eradication, and control efforts. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to undertake habitat conservation and restoration , utilizing existing authorities for breeding sites and marine environments. This includes ensuring the sustainability of living marine resources that serve as food for these birds. The bill addresses the management of human activities by authorizing research into the effects of pollutants and marine debris , and implementing measures to minimize their impact. Crucially, it empowers the Secretaries to develop and implement measures, including regulations, to prevent, minimize, or mitigate the take and disturbance of covered albatrosses and petrels. This extends to addressing bycatch in fisheries through regional assessments, data collection via observer programs, and research into mitigation techniques. The Act establishes prohibited acts , making it unlawful to take or disturb covered albatrosses and petrels or interfere with enforcement, though it allows for the authorization of take through permits or regulations for specific purposes like propagation, scientific study, or incidental take under certain conditions. Exemptions are granted for military activities, Coast Guard emergency responses, and incidental bycatch in lawful fishing activities that adhere to mitigation measures. Enforcement is shared among the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Coast Guard, with penalties aligning with existing environmental laws. The bill designates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service as the "United States Authority" for the Agreement, responsible for monitoring and enforcing its provisions. It requires regular reporting to Congress on the status of covered albatrosses and petrels and conservation actions taken. Furthermore, the Act promotes international cooperation through data exchange, shared management approaches, education programs, and financial support to the Agreement's Secretariat and other countries to achieve conservation objectives.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.