The FISH Act of 2025 shifts authority over anadromous and catadromous fish species from the Department of Commerce to the Department of the Interior.
Ken Calvert
Representative
CA-41
The FISH Act of 2025 transfers authority over anadromous and catadromous fish species from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior. It redefines anadromous and catadromous species within the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Act allows for reconsideration of certain past administrative decisions and addresses administrative and legal details related to the transfer, ensuring continuity in existing legal documents, proceedings, and lawsuits. It also defines key terms like "function" and "office" to clarify the scope and implementation of the transfer.
FISH Act of 2025: Flipping the Scales on Fish Management
The Federally Integrated Species Health Act of 2025, or "FISH Act" for short, does one big thing: it shifts who's in charge of certain types of fish. Specifically, we're talking about anadromous species (think salmon, which are born in freshwater, head to the ocean, and come back to freshwater to spawn) and catadromous species (like certain eels that do the opposite). Currently, the Secretary of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) handle these fish. This bill hands that responsibility over to the Secretary of the Interior. (Sec. 2)
Shifting Tides: Who's In Charge?
The core of the FISH Act is this jurisdictional swap. It moves authority from one big federal department to another. Why does this matter? Well, it can affect everything from fishing regulations to conservation efforts for these species. The bill also amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to include definitions for "anadromous species" and "catadromous species" (Sec. 2). The bill also includes a mechanism to allow for reconsideration of decisions made by NMFS for up to three years prior, if requests are made within a year of the transfer. The Secretary of the Interior can then decide whether to grant or deny those requests, and the decisions will be made public. (Sec. 2)
Reeling in the Details
Beyond the main shift, the FISH Act clarifies a bunch of legal and administrative stuff. Think of it as the fine print to make the transfer smooth. For instance, any existing permits, contracts, or legal documents related to these fish under the Department of Commerce will still be valid. (Sec. 3) Ongoing lawsuits or legal proceedings won't be disrupted, either. (Sec. 3) It basically ensures a smooth handover, keeping things running while the new department takes over.
Real-World Ripples
So, how might this affect, say, a commercial fisherman in Alaska who relies on salmon runs? Or a small business owner whose property borders a river where these fish spawn? It's hard to say definitively right now. It really depends on how the Department of the Interior chooses to manage these species. They could implement stricter or looser regulations, change conservation priorities, or alter how they interact with local communities. The bill does allow for reconsideration of past decisions, which could mean a shift in how things have been done. This could lead to some uncertainty in the short term, but the requirement for public decisions by the Secretary of the Interior also means more transparency. (Sec. 2)