WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) touted House passage of the MAPOceans Act, which he introduced in February 2025 with Senator Angus King (I-Maine). Advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee in March 2025 and passed by the Senate last September, the legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
This legislation standardizes and digitizes information about federal fisheries and recreational boating so that it can be easily accessed and used by the public. By providing fishermen with a reliable source of information on where they can fish and what restrictions may be in place, the bill will reduce confusion and make it easier to safely enjoy America’s federal waters.
The bill is similar to the MAPLand Act, a 2022 law cosponsored by Chairman Cruz expanding access to information for those hunting on public lands. The MAPOceans Act builds on that model by making federal ocean fisheries and recreational boating available for modern digital mapping tools.
Upon House passage, Chairman Cruz said: “Fishing is one of America’s greatest pastimes. A father teaching his children to cast a rod is a core memory that many Texans share. The MAPOceans Act will give fishermen reliable, up-to-date information and will make it possible to incorporate data into smartphone apps and mapping tools they already use. Instead of sorting through confusing or conflicting data, fishermen will be able to spend more time enjoying America’s waters with their families. I applaud my House colleagues for passing this legislation and look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon.”
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