King, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Ocean Mapping for Fishing and Boating Navigation

March 04, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize mapping information on public oceans in an effort to improve public safety and provide navigation guidance through a user-friendly smartphone app. The bipartisanModernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Actwould require the federal government to standardize and digitize information about ocean recreation and navigation. This would create a one-stop shop that would help to ensure sportsmen and women can recreate in a safe and responsible manner.
“Maine’s Atlantic coastline is an incredible natural treasure and one that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the country. If you want to enjoy the water, there should be an app for that purpose,”said Senator King, Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “The bipartisanMAPOceans Actwould combine all the available information about ocean recreation and navigation into a one-stop resource containing information about ocean recreation and navigation that you can hold in the palm of your hand. From deep-sea anglers to sailors and lobstermen, this legislation ensures that every person seeking adventure in Maine has the opportunity to do so safely and responsibly.”
“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,”said Senator Cruz.“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.”
Senator King is among the Senate’s leading voices for conservation of our nation’s outdoor treasures. In 2022, hisbipartisan MAPLand billto modernize park and public land mapping was signed into law. He also helped lead thepassage theGreat American Outdoors Act (GAOA)into law; the legislation includesthe Restore Our Parks Act—a bill led by Senator King — and theLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Permanent Funding Act. The historic legislative package continues Senator King’s career-long focus on conservation efforts, dating back tohis work prior to running for elected officethrough his years as Governor andhis service in the Senate. Over the course of his time in the Blaine House, Governor King was responsible for conserving more land across Maine than all Governors before him combined.
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