Senate Bill 317 Summary

• Repeals existing fishery management process and establishes new Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) prepared by the Division of Marine Fisheries and adopted by the Marine Fisheries Commission based on scientific, technical, and economic data for sustainable harvest of significant marine and estuarine species.

• Requires FMPs to specify timeframes not exceeding 2 years to end overfishing and 10 years to achieve sustainable harvest, with rebuilding schedules and adaptive management measures; allows timeframe adjustments when biological or environmental conditions warrant.

• Establishes Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committees composed of commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and scientists to assist in plan development, and requires Division consultation with regional advisory committees before legislative review.

• Modifies proclamation authority to ensure emergency declarations and proclamations comply with adopted management measures; adds supermajority requirement (6 members) to override Division recommendations regarding overfishing or stock rebuilding.

• Expands Marine Fisheries Commission's ability to recommend limited-entry fisheries and allows Secretary of Environmental Quality to authorize temporary Fishery Management Plan Supplements for emergency situations affecting sustainable harvest; effective July 1, 2021 for new plans.