Mississippi River Overhaul: New Commission to Manage Fisheries, Fight Invasive Carp - Starting 2026

The "Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025" is all about setting up a new group – the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission – to get a handle on managing fish populations and battling invasive species across the entire Mississippi River system. Think of it as a regional team effort, bringing together states, federal agencies, and even tribes to work on shared problems. This isn't just a small section of the river, the basin covers a massive area, 41% of the continental US. (SEC.2)

River Rescue: Coordinating Across State Lines

The core idea here is coordination. Right now, 31 states, multiple federal agencies, and two Canadian provinces all have a piece of the Mississippi River pie. This Commission aims to get everyone on the same page, particularly when it comes to "interjurisdictional fishery resources" – basically, fish that don't respect state borders (SEC. 3). The Commission will be made up of representatives from each state's fisheries department, plus delegates from federal agencies and tribes (SEC. 5). They'll be responsible for overseeing fishery management plans, making sure they're effective, and generally ensuring the long-term health of the river's fish populations (SEC. 6).

Carp Control: Tackling the Invasive Species Threat

One of the Commission's biggest jobs will be dealing with aquatic invasive species, and specifically, invasive carp. These fish are a major problem, outcompeting native species and even causing physical harm to people and property (SEC. 3). The bill tasks the Commission with developing strategies to prevent new introductions and control the spread of these invaders (SEC. 6). For example, imagine coordinated efforts to install barriers in key waterways or targeted removal programs – the specifics will be up to the Commission, but the goal is clear: get these carp under control.

Show Me the Money: Grants for Fisheries Projects

To put some muscle behind the plan, the bill sets up a grant program within two years of enactment (SEC. 7). There are two types of grants: competitive grants open to a wide range of groups (states, private companies, non-profits, universities, etc.) and formula grants specifically for state member entities. The catch? Projects have to align with the "Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Mississippi River Fisheries" – a pre-existing plan adopted by 28 states – or with the Commission's own recommendations (SEC. 7). The money can be used for a variety of things – research, on-the-ground projects, hiring personnel – as long as it's located within a Mississippi River Basin state (SEC. 7). A commercial fisherman could get funding to test out new, carp-resistant gear. A state agency might use the funds to restore habitat critical for native fish. And, thankfully, grant recipients can only use up to 5% of the grant on Admin costs. (SEC. 7)

Funding and Future

The bill authorizes $1,000,000 for the initial setup in fiscal year 2026. Then, it jumps to $30,000,000 annually for 2027-2029 and $50,000,000 annually for 2030-2032 to implement management duties and grants. Plus, $500,000 is authorized annually for the Secretary of the Interior for housing the commission. (SEC. 11). It's also important to note that the Commission's authority is "nonbinding" – meaning it can't force states to do anything they don't want to do (SEC. 8). It's all about cooperation and shared goals. The Commission will also have to report back to Congress every year on its activities (SEC. 10), and re-evaluate its strategic plan within 30 years (SEC. 6).