Updates online maps with accurate data on federal saltwater fisheries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine)  reintroduced the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act, which would standardize, digitize, and map fishing restrictions in federal waters. The legislation is similar to a law that provides reliable information about hunting on public lands.

“Many Texans and Americans enjoy recreational fishing and boating, but it can be difficult to find reliable information about access to waterways and restricted areas,” said Chairman Cruz. “I am proud to lead the effort to ensure anglers, boaters, and other users have easy access to accurate information on fishery area closures, so they can focus on appreciating what America’s beautiful waterways have to offer instead of wading through confusing agency websites.”

“Whether it’s recreational boating or commercial fishing, Maine’s beautiful Atlantic coastline attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the country and around world -- meaning a lot of unfamiliar waters for seafarers,” said Senator Angus King, co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “The bipartisan MAPOceans Act would digitize and combine all the available information about ocean recreation and navigation into a centralized hub you can hold in the palm of your hand. From deep-sea anglers to sailors, this legislation will ensure every person seeking adventure in Maine’s waters can do so safely.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

Background:

In the 117^th Congress, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Lands Act (or MAPLand Act), led by Sens. Angus King (I-Maine) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and cosponsored by Chairman Cruz, was signed into law, requiring the federal government to standardize and digitize information showing access boundaries for hunting and fishing. This allowed the public to better understand where and when they could access public lands for hunting and fishing. However, the MAPLand Act did not include data on America’s federal ocean fisheries.

The MAPOceans Act does not authorize or appropriate any federal spending.

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