Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6150

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-02-25T09:06:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025 aims to expand the reasons for declaring a "fishery resource disaster" under federal law. Specifically, it adds economic factors—caused by foreign activities—as a valid trigger for such declarations. This would allow affected U.S. fishing communities to access federal disaster assistance more readily when foreign actions harm the economic viability of domestic fisheries.

Key Provisions

• Definition of Economic Cause: Introduces "economic cause" as a new category for fishery disasters, defined as any activity by a "foreign person" (e.g., non-U.S. individuals, foreign governments, companies, or U.S.-based entities controlled by foreigners) that:
• Distorts the market for a fishery resource.
• Disrupts the sustainable harvest of the resource.
• Hinders the operational or economic viability of the fishery.
• Expanded Application Process: When requesting disaster aid, applicants must provide evidence of foreign activities' negative impacts, including:
• Illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing (e.g., involving forced or child labor).
• Predatory pricing (selling below cost to undercut competitors).
• Subsidies that lower seafood prices in U.S. or export markets or distort trade.
• Assessment and Determination Updates:
• Evaluations of disaster requests must now consider effects on U.S. and export seafood prices, as well as specific foreign actions contributing to economic harm.
• Disaster declarations can now result from economic causes alone or in combination with natural events (like weather) or human-made issues (like pollution).
• Foreign Person Definition: Broadly covers non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, international organizations, foreign businesses, and U.S. entities under foreign control.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill amends Section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (the main U.S. law governing fisheries). Previously, fishery disasters could only be declared due to natural causes (e.g., disease, water temperature changes), man-made causes (e.g., pollution), or other specified factors. This legislation:

• Adds economic causes as a standalone or combined trigger, shifting focus from environmental factors to market and trade disruptions.
• Requires new documentation in aid applications and assessments, emphasizing foreign involvement.
• Redesignates and inserts clauses to integrate these economic elements without altering unrelated parts of the law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, under the Secretary of Commerce) would handle more complex reviews, including economic and trade data analysis. This could increase administrative workload but enable faster aid distribution (up to $75 million per disaster under existing law) for economically damaged fisheries.
• On Citizens: U.S. fishing communities and commercial fishers could gain easier access to federal relief funds for lost revenue, rebuilding efforts, or economic recovery when foreign practices cause harm. This might stabilize jobs and local economies in coastal areas.
• On International Relations: By targeting foreign subsidies, illegal fishing, and market distortions, the law could lead to trade disputes or diplomatic tensions with countries like China or the EU, which provide significant fishery subsidies. It may encourage U.S. advocacy in international forums (e.g., World Trade Organization) for fairer global fishing practices.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Fishing Industry and Communities: Primary beneficiaries, including commercial fishers, processors, and coastal towns reliant on sustainable harvests.
• Federal Agencies: NOAA and the Department of Commerce, responsible for disaster declarations and aid; potentially the Department of State for international aspects.
• Foreign Entities: Governments, companies, and organizations engaged in global fishing or seafood trade, who may face U.S. scrutiny or restrictions if their activities are deemed harmful.
• Consumers and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through potential seafood price stabilization and use of federal funds for aid.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Broadens eligibility for disaster relief under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, potentially increasing litigation over what qualifies as an "economic cause" or "foreign person." The definitions are detailed but could invite challenges on vagueness or enforcement bias.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, including fisheries. No apparent First Amendment or due process issues, as it focuses on economic regulation rather than speech or individual rights.
• Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers from fishing-heavy states (e.g., South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas), it signals growing U.S. concern over unfair foreign competition in fisheries. Could influence trade policy, such as calls for reciprocal measures against subsidized imports, but risks escalating global trade frictions without broader international agreements.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (6 pages)