FISH Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3756
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-29T08:07:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act of 2025) aims to strengthen U.S. efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing worldwide. IUU fishing refers to fishing activities that violate national or international laws, go unreported, or occur without proper oversight, often linked to forced labor (work obtained through coercion or threats), human trafficking, and threats to ocean sustainability. The bill emphasizes preventing IUU fishing at its origins, supporting sustainable fisheries, and addressing related crimes through international partnerships, enforcement, and trade restrictions.
Key Provisions
- Definitions (Section 2): Establishes clear terms, such as "IUU fishing" (based on a 2001 international plan), "beneficial owner" (a person controlling or owning at least 50% of a vessel), "forced labor" (as defined in existing U.S. trade law prohibiting imports made with such labor), and "seafood" (including fish, shellfish, and related products but excluding marine mammals and birds).
- Statement of Policy (Section 3): Directs the U.S. to collaborate with foreign governments, civil society, international organizations, fishing communities, and the private sector to counter IUU fishing and its links to forced labor and maritime threats. It prioritizes source prevention and supports the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement for sustainable Arctic fish stocks.
- IUU Vessel List (Black List) (Section 4): Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to create a public "IUU vessel list" of foreign vessels, fleets, and their beneficial owners involved in IUU activities.
- Inclusion Criteria: Based on evidence like listings by international bodies, exceeding catch limits, use of forced labor, providing support to listed vessels, unauthorized U.S. fishing, or sanctions for related crimes.
- Procedures: Nominations from U.S. agencies, allies, or approved civil groups; 90-day notice and review for owners; annual Federal Register publication and website updates with vessel details (e.g., names, identifiers, owner addresses).
- Consequences: Listed vessels are barred from U.S. ports (except for inspections or emergencies), cannot transit U.S. waters without innocent passage (a basic right under international sea law), and their seafood imports are prohibited. U.S. vessels cannot service them except in emergencies.
- Enforcement and Removal: Subject to seizure and forfeiture like customs violations; removal possible after 5 years of compliance, revocation of forced labor orders, or international delisting. Authorizes $20 million annually (2025–2030) for implementation; regulations due within 12 months.
- Sanctions (Section 5): Authorizes the Treasury Secretary to impose penalties on foreign persons or vessels involved in IUU fishing or trading endangered species (as defined under the Endangered Species Act, which protects threatened wildlife).
- Measures: Block U.S.-based property and transactions; make individuals inadmissible to the U.S., revoke visas, and bar entry under immigration law.
- Scope: Covers leaders, owners/operators, and supporters of IUU activities.
- Implementation: Uses powers from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, a law allowing economic measures during national emergencies); penalties for violations mirror IEEPA fines. Includes waivers for national interest, exceptions for intelligence/law enforcement, humanitarian aid, crew safety, and international obligations.
- International Agreements (Section 6): Encourages the President to negotiate treaties addressing IUU and forced labor; promotes ratification of key U.N. and international pacts (e.g., Port State Measures Agreement, which requires port inspections); and urges multilateral efforts in forums like the G7, G20, U.N., and International Labour Organization to tackle root causes like unregulated transshipment (transferring fish at sea) and "flags of convenience" (registering vessels in lax countries).
- Enforcement Enhancements (Section 7): Directs the Coast Guard to increase high-seas boardings of suspected IUU vessels under the U.N. Fish Stocks Agreement; requires follow-up with international bodies on corrective actions; and mandates a 3-year report to Congress on patrols, incidents, vessel statuses, and enforcement gaps.
- Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) Improvements (Section 8): Amends the Maritime SAFE Act (a 2022 law on maritime security and fisheries enforcement) to expand the Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing's duties, including strategies against IUU in high-risk nations and forced labor using existing reports (e.g., on child/forced labor goods). The State Department must identify RFMOs lacking boarding programs and address barriers.
- Data Optimization (Section 9): Amends the Maritime SAFE Act to require the Working Group, within 3 years, to develop strategies for sharing data on IUU and forced labor seafood to block U.S. imports without harming legitimate trade. Includes recommendations for federal-state collaboration, forensic tools, risk-targeting in trade systems, and an IUU information-sharing center; analyzes foreign policies for U.S. adoption.
- Investment and Assistance (Section 10): Urges State, USAID, and Commerce Departments to boost technical aid, capacity-building, and investments in sustainable fisheries for priority regions and "flag states" (countries where vessels are registered) prone to IUU. The Working Group must assess U.S. expertise for public-private and multilateral partnerships in science, management, and enforcement.
- Forced Labor Import Prevention (Section 11): Requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with NOAA, to create and publicize a strategy using government data to detect and block seafood from forced-labor vessels.
- Reports and Studies (Section 12): Mandates:
- A 1-year study by Homeland Security on technologies (e.g., drones, satellite tracking) to fight IUU and integrate them into enforcement.
- A 2-year study by State on Russian-Chinese fishing ties and their impact on U.S. markets (with classified/unclassified versions).
- A National Academies study (funded at $4 million) on global IUU/forced labor prevalence, economic costs, and response effectiveness, with a 24-month report to Congress.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act: Replaces outdated subsections (c) and (d) with a comprehensive IUU vessel list framework, shifting from limited moratoriums to proactive global listing, enforcement, and permanency with removal options.
- Maritime SAFE Act: Expands the Interagency Working Group's mandate (adding strategies on enforcement, data, and studies); introduces data-sharing optimizations and a National Academies analysis of IUU impacts.
- Builds on laws like the Tariff Act (forced labor bans), Endangered Species Act, and IEEPA by integrating them into fisheries-specific sanctions and import controls, without altering their core structures.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload and coordination for NOAA (list maintenance, regulations), Commerce (funding/implementation), State (diplomacy/RFMOs), Treasury (sanctions), CBP (import screening), and Coast Guard (boardings/reports). Provides dedicated funding ($20 million/year for the list; $4 million for studies) but may strain resources without additional appropriations.
- Citizens and Economy: U.S. consumers and importers face reduced availability of tainted seafood, potentially stabilizing prices for sustainable products but raising costs if supply chains disrupt. Protects U.S. fishers from unfair competition; supports coastal communities through sustainability focus.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S. leadership in global fisheries by pressuring non-compliant nations (e.g., via sanctions/lists) and fostering partnerships, but could strain ties with major fishing powers like China/Russia. Enhances Arctic cooperation and RFMO effectiveness, promoting ocean security without direct military escalation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Agencies: NOAA, Commerce, State, Treasury, CBP, Coast Guard, and the Interagency Working Group—gain tools but face new duties.
- Foreign Entities: Governments (especially flag states for IUU vessels), fishing fleets, beneficial owners, and exporters—subject to lists, sanctions, port bans, and import blocks.
- U.S. Seafood Industry: Importers, processors, commercial/recreational fishers, and artisanal/subsistence communities—benefit from fairer markets but may need to adapt to traceability requirements.
- International and Civil Society: RFMOs, U.N./ILO bodies, environmental/human rights groups, and coastal nations—empowered through data-sharing, aid, and nominations.
- Consumers and Workers: U.S. public (safer seafood supply) and global fishers (potential aid against forced labor).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands IEEPA and customs forfeiture powers to fisheries, enabling swift economic penalties but requiring "clear and convincing evidence" for listings to ensure fairness. Procedures include owner notifications and appeals, reducing arbitrary application risks. Aligns with international law (e.g., U.N. agreements) while allowing exceptions to avoid conflicts.
- Constitutional: Property blocking and visa revocations invoke due process (5th Amendment) via review mechanisms; immigration restrictions (8 U.S.C.) are standard but could face challenges if applied broadly. No direct free speech or equal protection issues, as focus is on foreign actors.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Crenshaw, Magaziner, Begich) signals cross-aisle support for environmental/security priorities. Targets global threats (e.g., Arctic sustainability, Russian/Chinese influences) without naming adversaries explicitly, promoting U.S. soft power through aid/diplomacy. Could influence trade negotiations and elevate IUU as a national security issue, potentially requiring congressional oversight for waivers/sanctions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-21: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- 2025-11-19: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 2025-06-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (35 pages)