Senate Bill 554: Marine Fisheries Reforms

• Repeals existing fishery management process and establishes new Fishery Management Plans developed by Division of Marine Fisheries based on best available scientific, technical, and economic data for adoption by Marine Fisheries Commission.

• Requires management plans to include stock assessments, habitat considerations, social and economic impacts, measures to end overfishing within 2 years, and achieve sustainable harvest within 10 years, with exemptions allowed by Fisheries Director based on fish biology or insufficient data.

• Establishes Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committees composed of commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and scientists; requires Division consultation with regional advisory committees and Joint Legislative Oversight Committee review within 30 days.

• Amends Marine Fisheries Commission composition to require two scientists (one habitat/water quality specialist, one fisheries biology specialist) with special training and expertise, and establishes disclosure statements and conflict-of-interest voting restrictions for all Commission members.

• Reduces standing advisory committees from four to three and regional committees from four to two; creates temporary Fishery Management Plan Supplements for emergencies affecting sustainable harvest, exempt from normal advisory and legislative review processes.