DESCEND Act of 2019
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (2 Dec 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The DESCEND Act of 2019, if passed, would require commercial and recreational fishermen to carry a tool designed to help released fish survive when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico's Exclusive Economic Zone. This tool would be either a venting tool or a descending device, rigged and ready for use. The bill also mandates that the Department of Commerce study discard mortality in Gulf reef fish fisheries, with the National Academy of Sciences conducting the research.
This legislation would affect individuals who fish for Gulf reef fish. It would require them to possess specific gear and potentially change how discard mortality is studied and managed. The bill also directs the Department of Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to create new guidance for reporting discards and develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of devices that reduce barotrauma, a condition affecting fish brought up from deep water.
The bill was introduced in the Senate in December 2019 by Senator Bill Cassidy and currently has no further actions listed. If it moves forward, it would need to be considered and passed by the Senate and then sent to the House of Representatives. If both chambers pass it, it would then go to the President to be signed into law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019 or the DESCEND Act of 2019
This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. (A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.)
Specifically, the bill requires
• commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone,
• the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries, and
• Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices.
Timeline
2 Dec 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 2960 do?
- The DESCEND Act of 2019, if passed, would require commercial and recreational fishermen to carry a tool designed to help released fish survive when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico's Exclusive Economic Zone. This tool would be either a venting tool or a descending device, rigged and ready for use. The bill also mandates that the Department of Commerce study discard mortality in Gulf reef fish fisheries, with the National Academy of Sciences conducting the research. This legislation would affect individuals who fish for Gulf reef fish. It would require them to possess specific gear and potentially change how discard mortality is studied and managed. The bill also directs the Department of Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to create new guidance for reporting discards and develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of devices that reduce barotrauma, a condition affecting fish brought up from deep water. The bill was introduced in the Senate in December 2019 by Senator Bill Cassidy and currently has no further actions listed. If it moves forward, it would need to be considered and passed by the Senate and then sent to the House of Representatives. If both chambers pass it, it would then go to the President to be signed into law.
- Has S. 2960 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2960. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2960?
- S. 2960 was sponsored by Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (R-LA), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2960?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (2 Dec 2019).
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