SHIFT Act

The SHIFT Act requires federal fishery managers to account for climate change impacts, such as shifting fish populations and habitat changes, when setting fishing quotas and managing coastal fisheries. It establishes a process for regional fishery councils to coordinate management when fish stocks move across state lines, including deadlines for councils to agree on a lead council or joint planning, with the Secretary stepping in if they fail to reach consensus. The bill also mandates that new fisheries or fishing gear can only be added to official management lists after councils analyze potential environmental and community impacts, and requires councils to review these lists every five years. These changes aim to improve adaptive management of fisheries in response to climate shifts while ensuring consistent oversight across state boundaries.