Establishes the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission to foster collaboration among states, federal agencies, and tribes for the sustainable management and conservation of the Mississippi River Basin's fishery resources.
Roger Wicker
Senator
MS
The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act establishes a commission to oversee and coordinate fishery management across the Mississippi River Basin's 31 states, multiple federal agencies, and 2 Canadian provinces. The commission will develop strategies for conserving fishery resources, controlling invasive species, and advising agencies on fishery-related issues. The Act also creates a grant program to fund eligible projects related to interjurisdictional fisheries management and sustainability in the Mississippi River Basin. Finally, the Act authorizes appropriations for the establishment, management, and implementation of the commission's activities.
New Commission Proposed to Manage Massive Mississippi River Basin Fisheries Across 31 States
This bill proposes creating a new body, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission, housed within the Department of the Interior. Its main job, as outlined in Section 4, is to get the 31 states, multiple federal agencies, Indian Tribes, and even Canadian provinces sharing the massive Mississippi River Basin on the same page when it comes to managing fish populations. The goal is better coordination for sustainable fisheries, tackling shared problems like invasive species, and advising agencies on regulations, starting with $1 million authorized for setup in fiscal year 2026.
Corralling Efforts Across a Giant Watershed
Think about how huge the Mississippi River Basin is – Section 2 notes it's the fourth largest watershed globally, covering 41% of the continental U.S. Managing fish that swim across state lines ('interjurisdictional fishery resources' as defined in Section 3) is tricky. This Commission aims to build on existing partnerships like the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA), using its strategic plan as a starting point (Section 6). The idea is to create a unified approach, pooling knowledge and resources to conserve fish stocks and manage threats, particularly invasive species like Asian carp, which Section 3 specifically defines and targets.
Structure, Strategy, and Spending
The Commission itself would be run by voting delegates – typically the head fisheries official from each member state, plus representatives from other member entities like federal agencies or Tribes (Section 5). They'd hire an executive director and staff, meet at least annually, and operate by majority vote, though aiming for consensus. Importantly, Section 8 clarifies the Commission's recommendations aren't legally binding; states still call the shots within their borders. To support the work, the bill sets up a grant program (Section 7) within two years. This includes formula grants for state members and competitive grants open to a wider group (including NGOs, universities, federal agencies) for projects aligned with the strategic plan. Funding authorizations ramp up significantly, reaching $30 million annually from FY2027-2031 and $50 million annually from FY2032-2036 for the Commission's duties and grants (Section 11).
Real-World Ripples: Funding and Fish
So what does this mean on the ground? If you fish, run a business reliant on the river, or just care about the region's environment, this Commission could lead to more coordinated efforts to improve fish habitats, manage popular game fish stocks across borders, and fight invasive species that harm native fish and ecosystems. The grant program (Section 7) could fund practical projects, from researching carp control methods to restoring wetlands. However, the non-binding nature (Section 8) means its real impact hinges on whether all these different players actually follow the coordinated plans. It's designed as a forum for collaboration and shared strategy, backed by significant potential funding, rather than a top-down regulatory body.