Stop Illegal Fishing Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6338
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-06-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Last Updated: 2026-06-23T02:37:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 6338: Stop Illegal Fishing Act

Purpose

This legislation aims to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by requiring the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and vessels involved in such activities. It emphasizes the global harms of IUU fishing, including damage to marine ecosystems, economic losses for coastal nations, and links to forced labor, while directing U.S. sanctions as a tool to promote maritime security and international rules.

Key Provisions

Sense of Congress: Outlines concerns about IUU fishing as a rising global issue, with the People's Republic of China identified as the main offender; highlights violations of international law, threats to fisheries, and impacts on developing coastal communities.
Sanctions on Foreign Persons: Requires sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that owns a vessel engaged in IUU fishing, serves as a captain or senior crew member, operates an entity primarily involved in IUU fishing, or holds a senior management role in such an entity.
Sanctions on Foreign Vessels: Mandates sanctions on any foreign-registered or foreign-operated vessel that engages in IUU fishing.
Reporting Requirements: Directs the President to submit annual reports to relevant congressional committees for five years, detailing enforcement efforts and listing sanctioned parties.
Sanctions Program: Requires creation of a dedicated IUU fishing sanctions program.
Types of Sanctions:
Blocking of assets and property interests in the U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons.
Denial of U.S. visas, admission, or parole, with revocation of existing visas.
Exceptions: Allows carve-outs for compliance with UN headquarters agreements, humanitarian aid (such as food, medicine, or medical supplies), U.S. intelligence/law enforcement/national security activities, and provisions for vessel/crew safety.
Implementation and Penalties: Authorizes use of existing emergency economic powers for enforcement, with civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Waiver Authority: Permits the President to waive sanctions if deemed important to U.S. national security, with advance notice to Congress.
Definitions: Clarifies terms like "foreign person," "foreign vessel," and references existing law for the meaning of IUU fishing.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces a new, targeted sanctions framework specifically for IUU fishing, expanding on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by creating a dedicated program and applying sanctions to vessels as well as persons.
Establishes mandatory reporting and annual updates to Congress, adding oversight mechanisms not previously required for this issue.
Incorporates definitions and references from the Maritime SAFE Act, linking the new sanctions to prior maritime security legislation.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Requires action by the President and coordination among the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Treasury to identify targets, enforce sanctions, and issue reports; may increase administrative workload for monitoring and compliance.
Citizens: U.S. persons could face indirect effects through restrictions on transactions with sanctioned foreign entities; humanitarian exceptions aim to limit disruptions to aid efforts.
International Relations: Could heighten tensions with nations involved in IUU fishing, particularly China, by targeting their vessels and personnel; supports U.S. efforts to enforce international maritime law and may encourage or strain cooperation with other countries on fisheries management.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Foreign individuals, entities, and vessel operators engaged in IUU fishing.
U.S. executive branch agencies responsible for sanctions enforcement and reporting.
Coastal communities and nations reliant on sustainable fisheries, especially in developing regions.
U.S. persons and entities that might interact with sanctioned parties.
International bodies and agreements, such as those under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Relies on broad executive authority under existing emergency powers laws, raising questions about the balance of power between the President and Congress in foreign policy sanctions.
Politically frames IUU fishing as a national security and economic issue tied to specific foreign actors, potentially influencing U.S. foreign policy priorities and alliances in maritime domains.
Includes safeguards like waivers and exceptions to address humanitarian and diplomatic needs, which may mitigate legal challenges related to overreach.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

Recent Actions

2026-06-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
2026-06-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-06-08: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3968-3969)
2026-06-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3968-3969)
2026-06-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6338.
2026-06-08: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3968-3970)
2026-06-08: Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 2.
2025-12-03: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-12-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
2025-12-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
2025-12-01: Introduced in House
2025-12-01: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Stop Illegal Fishing Act — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (12 pages)
Stop Illegal Fishing Act — issued 2025-12-01 — PDF (9 pages)
Stop Illegal Fishing Act — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (10 pages)