Bottom Trawl Clarity Act of 2024

The Bottom Trawl Clarity Act of 2024 requires regional fishery councils to define "substantial bottom contact" (how often fishing gear touches the seafloor) and create monitoring plans for trawling gear. It directs councils to map areas where bottom trawling occurred between 2017-2024 and propose "Bottom Trawl Zones" where such fishing may continue, excluding areas with deep-sea corals or existing protected zones. After public comment periods, the Secretary of Commerce will designate these zones, restricting bottom trawling to only these approved areas. The bill directly affects commercial fishing operations using bottom trawl gear and regional fishery management councils under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.