This bill addresses a real problem in commercial fishing: bycatch, which is when fishing equipment accidentally catches and kills fish, marine mammals, or sea turtles that aren't the target species. The bill does two main things to help reduce this waste and harm.

First, it provides $10 million per year from 2025 through 2029 to fund research and development of better fishing technologies and methods that catch fewer unwanted species. This money goes toward engineering solutions that make fishing gear more selective.

Second, the bill creates a special fund called the Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund that accepts donations and uses that money to help fishing companies, especially smaller ones, buy new equipment and technology to reduce bycatch. At least 60% of the money from this fund must go to small fishing vessels (those 65 feet or smaller), recognizing that smaller operations often have fewer resources to upgrade their gear. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will manage this fund and must report publicly every two years on how the money is being spent, ensuring transparency and accountability. Overall, this bill aims to make commercial fishing more sustainable by reducing the number of unintended catches while supporting the fishing industry's transition to better practices.