Commerce secretary would gather a team to study East Coast shellfish

The Commerce secretary would form an East Coast shellfish research group. The group would study East Coast clams and other shellfish, including oysters, mussels, and scallops. Members would include state officials, Tribal representatives, fishing industry representatives, and academic experts. The secretary would form the group within 90 days after enactment.

The group would review shellfish research and publish its findings. The review would cover East Coast shellfish that matter to communities or businesses. The final report would recommend research and include findings from the group's smaller teams. The progress report would be due within one year, and the final report within two years after the group forms.

The research group would form two smaller teams. One team would study hard clams in Rhode Island and across the East Coast. The other would study how climate change may affect East Coast shellfish. The group could add teams focused on other regions or shellfish populations. Congress could provide money for this work later, but the bill itself sets aside no money. Both required teams would form within 30 days after the research group is established and report their findings within two years.