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HD 3256

An Act relative to fisheries conservation gear grant program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeff Turco

Establishes a state-funded Fisheries Conservation Gear Grant Program to fund gear research, development, and acquisition that reduce juvenile mortality and harm to protected specie

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 3256

Summary: An Act relative to fisheries conservation gear grant program (HD 3256)

Overview

  • Bill number: House Docket No. 3256 (HD 3256)
  • Title: An Act relative to fisheries conservation gear grant program
  • Purpose: Establish a state-funded grant program to support research, development, and acquisition of commercial fishing gear that reduces mortality of juvenile or non-harvestable fish and minimizes harm to protected species (e.g., Northern Right Whale), while promoting sustainability and productivity of affected fisheries.
  • Status: Senate concurred; referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee (2025 session). The bill appears in the 2025-2026 General Court as a proposed measure.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025 (House docket shows an accompanying bill filed January 16, 2025; overall action taken later in February 2025).

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of the Fisheries Conservation Gear Grant Program

    • Created, subject to appropriation, to fund gear-related research, development, and acquisition aimed at:
    • Reducing mortality of juvenile or other non-legally harvestable fish
    • Reducing harm or mortality to protected species (e.g., Northern Right Whale)
    • Maximizing sustainability and productivity of affected fisheries
    • Administered by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

  • Program Administration and Accountability

    • The Division must conduct regular hearings at least once per year to determine grant size, type, and scope required to achieve program goals.
    • Grantmaking decisions should emphasize equity across geography, fishery type, gear type, and demographic factors.

  • Eligibility

    • Eligible applicants:
    • Massachusetts-domiciled fishing industry participants with a valid state or federal commercial fisheries permit
    • Institutions of higher learning or research organizations located in Massachusetts

  • Intellectual Property

    • The Division may retain all or part of the ownership of IP developed through the program (including patents and registrations).
    • Any IP held by the Commonwealth must be made available to eligible grant recipients through licensure or other reasonable terms and conditions, for purposes of this act.

  • Funding and Subsidy Terms

    • Funding is contingent upon appropriation; no assurance of funds without a specific appropriation in the state budget.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Commercial fishermen and fishing cooperatives active in Massachusetts, particularly those engaged in gear technologies or practices designed to reduce bycatch, juvenile mortality, or harm to protected species.
  • Massachusetts-based research institutions and universities partnering with industry on gear development and conservation research.
  • Gear manufacturers and service providers involved in developing or supplying conservation-oriented gear.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Referred to the House committee on Environment and Natural Resources upon filing.
  • Senate concurred with House action (status shown as Senate concurred).
  • Regular hearings are mandated at least annually to guide grant size and scope.
  • Funding is contingent on future appropriations; specific fiscal details would be determined during the budget process.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes equity considerations in grant allocation to address geographic, fishery, gear, and demographic factors.
  • The program envisions collaboration between commercial fishery participants and scientific or research institutions.

This summary captures the bill’s core goals, mechanism, eligibility, IP provisions, and funding conditions to help readers understand its potential impact on Massachusetts fisheries and conservation efforts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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