S-759 — Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Transparency & Accountability

One federal map showing where you can fish, boat, and dive in federal waters — closures updated in real time.

Transparency & Accountability

Public data publication — NOAA must post fishing restrictions and access rules on a public site
Public comment process — Users could submit questions and comments on the published data
Disclosure of cultural and archaeological sites — Locations withheld from the public maps
Disclosure of commercial fishing data — Proprietary information withheld from the public maps

The details

Anglers and boaters would get one federal website showing where they can fish and boat offshore. Federal waters run from the edge of state waters out to 200 miles. The map would show fishing closures, no-catch zones, and limits on gear or motors. It would also mark marine sanctuaries and monuments, and list what each one allows. Depth charts and navigation data would sit on the same site. NOAA would have four years to launch the site and 31 months to set data standards. Most layers would refresh twice a year, while closure boundaries update in real time. The public could submit questions and comments about the data. Shipwreck and cultural site locations would stay off the map, as would proprietary commercial fishing data. Tribal waters and treaty fishing rights are left untouched.

Congressional Summary

Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans ActThis bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish geospatial data related to public recreational use of federal waterways (e.g., boating and fishing).Under the bill, NOAA must consult with relevant stakeholders (including state and local governments, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations) to develop and adopt standards for the coordination and dissemination of geospatial data relating to fishing restrictions and recreational vessels' use of federal waterways, including the exclusive economic zone of the United States (EEZ). (The EEZ generally includes waters between 3 and 200 miles seaward from the U.S. coastline.)Within four years after the bill is enacted, NOAA must provide geographic information system data on a public website that identifies and describes the locations where and conditions under which certain recreational activities are restricted in federal waterways. Specifically, the website must identify (1) locations where fishing restrictions are imposed, (2) areas in the EEZ with restrictions on specified recreational vessel types, and (3) federally protected areas (e.g., National Marine Sanctuaries). NOAA must also continue to provide digitized navigation information related to the EEZ and make the information available on the website to the extent practicable.The bill allows NOAA to coordinate and partner with nonfederal entities to carry out this bill. It also directs NOAA to work with other federal agencies to ensure compatibility and interoperability among federal databases with respect to collecting and disseminating geospatial data related to the public outdoor recreational use of the EEZ.

Legislative Subjects

Geography and mappingGovernment information and archivesHunting and fishingInternet, web applications, social mediaNavigation, waterways, harborsOutdoor recreation

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Passed Senate
Action Date: 2025-09-10
Date Added: 2026-07-24
Source: Congress.gov →

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