(a) Bycatch reduction engineering programNot later than 1 year after January 12, 2007, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Councils and other affected interests, and based upon the best scientific information available, shall establish a bycatch reduction program, including grants, to develop technological devices and other conservation engineering changes designed to minimize bycatch, seabird interactions, bycatch mortality, and post-release mortality in Federally managed fisheries. The program shall—
(2)
be coordinated with projects conducted under the cooperative research and management program established under this chapter;
(3)
provide information and outreach to fishery participants that will encourage adoption and use of technologies developed under the program; and
(b) IncentivesAny fishery management plan prepared by a Council or by the Secretary may establish a system of incentives to reduce total bycatch and seabird interactions, amounts, bycatch rates, and post-release mortality in fisheries under the Council’s or Secretary’s jurisdiction, including—
(2)
measures to promote the use of gear with verifiable and monitored low bycatch and seabird interactions, rates; and
(3)
measures that, based on the best scientific information available, will reduce bycatch and seabird interactions, bycatch mortality, post-release mortality, or regulatory discards in the fishery.
(c) Coordination on seabird interactionsThe Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of [1] Interior, is authorized to undertake projects in cooperation with industry to improve information and technology to reduce seabird bycatch, including—
(3)
actions at appropriate international fishery organizations to reduce seabird interactions in fisheries.
(d) ReportThe Secretary shall transmit an annual report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Resources that—
(Pub. L. 94–265, title III, § 316, as added Pub. L. 109–479, title I, § 116(a), Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3605.)