Why It Matters: Access for anglers and boaters is not only about being able to reach the water, but also knowing where, when, and how they can recreate. The MAPOceans Act will help remove uncertainty on federal marine waters by making information on fishing and boating restrictions easier to find and use. The bipartisan bill has been a longstanding priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF).
Highlights:
- On September 14, the House passed the MAPOceans Act (S. 759), sending the bill to the President’s desk.
- CSF has supported MAPOceans throughout its development and advancement in Congress as part of broader efforts to improve access for sportsmen and women.
- MAPOceans directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to standardize, digitize, and make publicly available information on fishing, boating, and other recreational use restrictions in federal marine waters.
On September 14, the House of Representatives passed the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act, better known as the MAPOceans Act, sending the bipartisan legislation to the President’s desk. The Senate previously passed S. 759 unanimously, and House passage marks the final congressional step before the bill can be signed into law.
CSF has consistently supported MAPOceans throughout the legislative process and has remained engaged with congressional offices as the bill advanced through both chambers. The legislation aligns with CSF’s broader efforts to improve access to clear, reliable information for sportsmen and women and reduces unnecessary barriers when recreating on public waters.
“Final passage of the bipartisan MAPOceans Act marks an important step toward making federal fishing regulations clearer and more accessible for America’s anglers and boaters,” said Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “By bringing information about fishing boundaries and restrictions into modern mapping technology, this legislation will give anglers greater confidence on the water. We thank the Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus who have championed this legislation in both chambers for their leadership and look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
Federal marine waters are subject to a wide range of regulations that can vary by location, season, species, and allowable fishing gear. For anglers and boaters, determining where they can recreate and which rules apply can be cumbersome, particularly when that information is spread across different sources or is not available in a consistent digital format.
MAPOceans seeks to address that problem by directing NOAA to standardize, consolidate, and publish geospatial information related to recreational use of the marine waters under its jurisdiction. This includes information on waters that are open or closed to fishing and boating, seasonal fishing closures, vessel and propulsion restrictions, and allowable fishing gear. Making this information readily available in modern mapping formats will provide anglers, boaters, and navigation platforms with clearer information about access and applicable regulations.