Fishing Quota Standards Act of 2005

H.R. 3278, the Fishing Quota Standards Act of 2005, proposes new federal standards for how the government manages commercial fishing rights through "limited access" or quota systems. The bill would require regional councils to prioritize conservation, historical participation, and the fair distribution of fishing rights as a public resource when deciding who is allowed to fish in specific waters.

For fishing communities, the bill’s most significant impact is the requirement for a referendum; the Secretary of Commerce could not implement a new quota system unless it is approved by a two-thirds majority of eligible permit holders and crew members. Additionally, the legislation would establish new fees for those who hold or transfer fishing quotas and create oversight committees to review the social and economic impacts of these management programs on local coastal economies.