Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate have reintroduced the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act, legislation that would create a digital map of fishing restrictions in federal waters.
First introduced in 2024, the legislation mirrors the 2022 Modernizing Access to our Public Lands (MAPLand) Act, which enhanced access to public lands by digitizing maps and records and allowing users to easily discover hunting and fishing boundaries. The MAPOceans would apply that approach to mapping fishing restrictions in federal waters.
“Many Texans and Americans enjoy recreational fishing and boating, but it can be difficult to find reliable information about access to waterways and restricted areas,” U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who co-sponsored the legislation alongside U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), said in a statement. “I am proud to lead the effort to ensure anglers, boaters, and other users have easy access to accurate information on fishery area closures, so they can focus on appreciating what America’s beautiful waterways have to offer instead of wading through confusing agency websites.”
“Whether it’s recreational boating or commercial fishing, Maine’s beautiful Atlantic coastline attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the country and around the world – meaning a lot of unfamiliar waters for seafarers,” King added. “The bipartisan MAPOceans Act would digitize and combine all the available information about ocean recreation and navigation into a centralized hub you can hold in the palm of your hand. From deep-sea anglers to sailors, this legislation will ensure every person seeking adventure in Maine’s waters can do so safely.”
The bill does not appropriate any federal spending for its purpose.
Though introduced last year, the legislation was not voted on by either the U.S. House or Senate before the current Congress concluded at the end of the year. The original bill was backed by fishing and conservation groups, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the American Sportfishing Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, BoatUS, and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas.
“Access for anglers isn’t just about where you can launch your boat,” said Chris Horton, the senior director of fisheries policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). “With our complicated system of federal fisheries management and with our network of marine protected areas, it can be especially challenging to know which waters are open for fishing and what type of gear you can use.”
