Sec. 405. Northeast regional pilot research trawl survey and study
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Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, in coordination with the relevant Councils as determined by the Secretary and the Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program, develop a fishing industry-based Northeast regional pilot research trawl survey and study to enhance and improve the current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel trawl surveys. Under the pilot survey and study— the Secretary— may select fishing industry vessels to participate in the study by issuing a request for procurement; may use the Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Nearshore Trawl Survey or another methodology selected in partnership with the National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science as a model for the pilot survey; shall outfit participating vessels with a peer-reviewed net configuration; and shall ensure the pilot study uses a statistically valid sampling method and spatial coverage that allows for comparison with results from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel trawl surveys; and the National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center shall, in partnership with the relevant Councils and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, collect data for 5 years.
Upon completion of the pilot survey and study, the Secretary and the relevant Councils shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a detailed report regarding the results of the pilot survey and study.