H.R. 3340: Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act

H.R. 3340, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act, is a transparency bill for people who use federal ocean waters to fish, boat, and dive. It tells the Commerce Department to build common data standards for offshore fishing restrictions, recreational vessel use, and access to federal waters.

Then it requires NOAA to put that information on a public website. The site would show where fishing is restricted, which areas are open or closed to boating and diving, where harmful algal blooms trigger safety closures, and what limits apply to engines, horsepower, fuel, or vessel type.

The map would also flag federal marine protected areas — national marine sanctuaries, monuments, and other protected waters — and spell out what fishing and recreation each one allows. Navigation basics like depth charts and bathymetric data would live on the same site when practicable.

The timing rules are stricter than a typical study bill. General access and restriction data would be updated at least twice a year, while the geographic boundaries of restricted zones and federal marine protected areas would have to update in real time.

Just as important is what the bill says it does not do. It doesn't create new closures, expand fisheries authority, or change the rules for navigable waters. It bars NOAA from publishing sensitive archaeological and cultural details or proprietary commercial fishing data, and its mapping authorities don't reach Tribal waters or usual and accustomed fishing areas.