What does Preamble of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This Act aims to combat illegal fishing globally The Act is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives

What does SHORT TITLE. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025

What does DEFINITIONS. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. The term 'Administrator' refers to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or their designee. A 'beneficial owner' of a vessel is a person who exercises substantial control or owns at least 50% of the ownership interests. ’Fish’ is defined as finfish, crustaceans, and mollusks. ’Forced labor’ is defined by reference to section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930. ’IUU fishing’ is defined by reference to the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. ’Regional fisheries management organization’ and ‘RFMO’ are defined by reference to section 303 of the Port State Measures Agreement Act of 2015. ’Seafood’ includes fish, shellfish, processed fish, fish meal, shellfish products, and other marine animal and plant life (excluding marine mammals and birds). The term 'Secretary' refers to the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or their designee.

What does STATEMENT OF POLICY. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a policy for the United States to collaborate with various entities, including foreign governments, civil society, and the private sector. The policy aims to continue efforts to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including its potential links to forced labor and human trafficking. Efforts should prioritize preventing IUU fishing at its sources. The policy supports the implementation of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries agreement and related research to ensure sustainability of fish stocks in Arctic international waters.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF AN IUU VESSEL LIST. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes an IUU vessel list to track foreign vessels engaged in IUU fishing or fishing-related activities. The Secretary, in coordination with other agencies, develops, maintains, and makes public the IUU vessel list. A vessel can be included on the list if there is clear and convincing evidence of IUU fishing or related activities. The list will be published annually in the Federal Register and on a website, and will include information such as vessel name, IMO number, and beneficial owner. The Secretary may take action against a vessel on the IUU vessel list, including its owner and operator. A vessel can be removed from the list if the beneficial owner submits an application that meets the Secretary's standards. The Secretary will issue regulations to establish a process for the IUU vessel list within 12 months of enactment. Funding is authorized for the Department of Commerce to carry out this section.

What does VISA SANCTIONS FOR FOREIGN PERSONS. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section imposes visa sanctions on foreign persons who own or beneficially own vessels on the IUU vessel list. Sanctions include inadmissibility to the United States, ineligibility for visas, and revocation of current visas. The President may waive these sanctions if it is in the national interest of the United States. Exceptions to these sanctions include authorized intelligence and law enforcement activities, compliance with international agreements, and provisions for vessel safety and crew care. Sanctions do not apply to persons who were listed as vessel owners through force, threats, fraud, or coercion.

What does AGREEMENTS. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section addresses agreements related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and fishing involving forced labor. The President is encouraged to consider the impacts of IUU fishing and forced labor when negotiating agreements with foreign nations, provided it doesn't conflict with higher national interests. The Federal Government should encourage other nations to ratify relevant treaties and pursue international initiatives to combat IUU fishing. Bilateral and multilateral initiatives should address the root causes of IUU fishing and fishing involving forced labor, contingent on clear burden-sharing arrangements. Memoranda of understanding and other non-binding instruments furthering the section’s objectives are considered qualifying non-binding instruments for purposes of section 112b of title 1, United States Code.

What does ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes enforcement provisions related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Commandant of the Coast Guard is directed to increase observation and, where practicable, boarding of vessels suspected of IUU fishing. The Administrator, in coordination with the Coast Guard Commandant and the Secretary of State, must coordinate with regional fisheries management organizations regarding corrective measures taken by countries after vessels registered to them are boarded. The Coast Guard Commandant must submit a report to Congress within three years of the Act's enactment. The report will detail bilateral agreements used in counter-IUU patrols, incidents of IUU fishing observed, vessel registration information, and enforcement actions taken or not taken by relevant countries. The report will also include information on boarding refusals and potential enforcement actions to decrease IUU fishing.

What does IMPROVED MANAGEMENT AT THE REGIONAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Maritime SAFE Act to add strategies against IUU fishing and associated abuses. It focuses on nations identified under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. The Secretary of State must identify regional fisheries management organizations without high seas boarding and inspection programs. The Secretary must also identify obstacles to implementing these programs and take action as appropriate.

What does STRATEGIES TO OPTIMIZE DATA COLLECTION, SHARING, AND ANALYSIS. of Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 3552 of the Maritime SAFE Act. The Working Group is directed to identify strategies to optimize data collection, sharing, and analysis related to IUU fishing and forced labor in the seafood industry. The Working Group must complete this identification within three years of the enactment of the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025. The report must identify relevant data streams, barriers to data sharing, and recommend enforcement protocols. Recommendations include collaboration between Federal agencies, States, and forensic resource sharing. The report should also enhance capacity for field investigations, improve data collection and risk-targeting, and disseminate IUU fishing information. An implementation strategy is required, ensuring seafood not linked to IUU fishing is not negatively affected. The report will include an analysis of IUU fishing policies in other countries.

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Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025

Last updated: 3/24/2026 · Introduced: 2/24/2025

Author: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a public IUU vessel list to track foreign vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, allowing for potential sanctions against the vessel, owner, and operator.
The bill imposes visa sanctions on foreign persons who own or beneficially own vessels listed on the IUU vessel list, with potential waivers for national security or humanitarian reasons.
The U.S. government is encouraged to prioritize combating IUU fishing and forced labor in international agreements and bilateral initiatives, emphasizing shared responsibility.
The Coast Guard will increase monitoring of vessels suspected of IUU fishing and report on enforcement actions, including boarding refusals, to Congress.
The bill directs agencies to improve data collection, sharing, and analysis related to IUU fishing and forced labor in the seafood industry, and authorizes funding for the National Sea Grant College Program.

119th Congresspassed senateHR. 3756(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 14 more.

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