Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 aims to improve fisheries stock assessments by incorporating environmental DNA (eDNA) methods.

The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 seeks to enhance fisheries stock assessments by integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) methods. The bill mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a multi-year pilot study evaluating the applicability of eDNA-based abundance estimation for commercial fish stocks and validating eDNA use in federal fishery stock assessments. It also establishes the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network to develop national standards for eDNA use across various aquatic environments.

Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 aims to improve fisheries stock assessments by incorporating environmental DNA (eDNA) methods.

The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 seeks to enhance fisheries stock assessments by integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) methods. The bill mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a multi-year pilot study evaluating the applicability of eDNA-based abundance estimation for commercial fish stocks and validating eDNA use in federal fishery stock assessments. It also establishes the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network to develop national standards for eDNA use across various aquatic environments.