Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026

This bill seeks to significantly improve and modernize fisheries stock assessments by incorporating environmental DNA (eDNA) and other biomolecular methods. It directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a multi-year pilot study to evaluate and validate eDNA-based abundance estimation for commercial fish stocks across at least three diverse federally managed fisheries. This study will compare eDNA with existing fishery-independent surveys, assess potential for cost reductions, integrate emerging technologies like autonomous samplers, and engage various partners including regional councils, tribes, and academic institutions. Building on the pilot study's results, the Administrator must develop an implementation plan for integrating eDNA methods into federally managed fisheries. This plan will include a process for evaluating eDNA suitability, a prioritization framework for fisheries, and an identification of workforce and laboratory capacity needs. To support this, the bill mandates expanding the National Marine Fisheries Service's workforce and field capacity, training personnel, and fostering cooperative research partnerships with fishermen for broader sample collection. Furthermore, it requires the routine collection of eDNA samples in ongoing surveys, ensuring data improves assessments or reduces costs without disrupting core operations. A central component of the bill is the establishment of the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network , a multi-agency initiative led by NOAA, to improve the reliability and operational use of eDNA across all aquatic environments. This Network will be responsible for developing national standards for eDNA sampling, laboratory workflows, and data formats, ensuring compatibility and joint analysis across programs. It will also coordinate research, innovation, and technology transfer activities, including developing species detection markers and promoting bidirectional technology transfer among federal agencies, academia, and the private sector. Finally, the Act amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to mandate the incorporation of eDNA methods into fisheries research, surveys, and stock assessments, guided by the new implementation plan and national standards.