HR 3756119th CongressIn Committee

FISH Act of 2025

Introduced: Jun 5, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2] (R-Texas)

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act) is a comprehensive US effort to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at its source globally. The bill creates a public IUU Vessel List (a “black list”) of foreign vessels, fleets, and beneficial owners tied to IUU fishing or related forced-labor concerns, and it empowers the Executive Branch to impose broad sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on those tied to IUU activities or forced-labor abuses. It also strengthens enforcement at US ports and on the high seas, expands international coordination and data-sharing, and promotes capacity-building and data-driven strategies to prevent IUU fishing from entering US commerce. The act sets up reporting requirements, investigative enhancements, and funding to support these efforts, including a dedicated appropriation to run the IUU vessel list and related enforcement activities, plus a National Academies study on IUU fishing and forced labor. In short, the bill aims to deter IUU fishing by (1) publicly naming violators, (2) enforcing penalties and import restrictions, (3) boosting on-water enforcement and international cooperation, and (4) building data, capacity, and research to prevent IUU fishing and forced-labor practices from affecting US markets.

Key Points

1Establishment of an IUU Vessel List (Black List)
2- The Secretary, with State and other agencies, must create and maintain a public list of foreign vessels, fleets, and beneficial owners engaged in IUU fishing or related forced-labor activity.
3- Inclusion can be based on clear and convincing evidence, including ties to IUU actions, violation of international conservation measures, or links to forced labor, with specific triggers (e.g., vessels on other IUU lists, vessels in US EEZ without a permit, vessels with forced-labor ties, or those supporting IUU vessels).
4Consequences for Listed Vessels and Related Imports
5- Vessels on the IUU List are, with limited exceptions, barred from US ports, port services, and from operating in US waters (including innocent passage constraints).
6- US-servicing of listed vessels is generally prohibited.
7- Imports of seafood harvested, processed, or transported by listed vessels are prohibited, subject to enforcement provisions and certain knowledge-based exceptions for importers who did not know of IUU origins.
8- The US will push for international treaty provisions mirroring these safeguards.
9Sanctions and Penalties
10- The Treasury may impose broad sanctions on individuals, vessels, or entities linked to IUU fishing or forced labor, including asset blocking and visa bans.
11- Sanctions cover not only conduct directly tied to IUU fishing but also leaders, owners, or entities that materially assist or sponsor such activity.
12- There are waivers and humanitarian exceptions, with rules and procedures for implementation and enforcement.
13Enforcement Enhancements
14- The Coast Guard is directed to increase high-seas boarding and inspections of suspected IUU vessels, in line with international agreements.
15- The Administrator and State Department will coordinate with regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) to track corrective actions after boarding or seizure.
16- A Congress-directed report, within three years, will detail enforcement actions, bilateral agreements, boarding outcomes, and potential further actions to reduce IUU fishing.
17International Cooperation and RFMO Improvements
18- The Act calls for strengthening US engagement with RFMO and bilateral/multilateral fisheries treaties, including promoting enforcement provisions and addressing drivers of IUU fishing (e.g., flags of convenience, subsidies).
19- It adds strategic goals to leverage enforcement capacity and compliance across import-control programs and data-sharing frameworks.
20Data, Strategy, and Capacity Building
21- The Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing will develop strategies to optimize data collection, sharing, and analysis, focusing on preventing IUU and forced-labor seafood from entering US commerce without unduly hindering compliant imports.
22- There are explicit aims to improve data streams, resolve barriers to data sharing, enhance field enforcement capabilities, and consider an information-sharing center for IUU-related analysis.
23- The Act encourages investment and technical assistance to improve fisheries management and enforcement capacity, prioritizing regions and flag states identified as high risk.
24Technology, Research, and Reporting
25- A Homeland Security-led study will assess how new technologies (drones, remote sensing, data analytics, containerization, satellite communications) can combat IUU fishing and related crimes, with recommendations for adoption.
26- A State Department-led study (within two years) will examine the influence of Russian and Chinese fishing activities on global markets and US interests.
27- The National Academies will study the occurrence and costs of IUU and forced-labor fishing, producing a report with policy recommendations; the bill authorizes funding for this research.
28Investment and Import Safety
29- The bill promotes US government support for capacity-building in other nations’ fisheries sectors to sustain reforms and fight IUU and forced labor.
30- It requires a strategy by US Customs and CBP to identify and publicize efforts to prevent imports involving forced labor, including sharing related findings publicly.
31Required Reports and Timelines
32- The Coast Guard will report within three years on enforcement actions, bilateral agreements, and IUU incidents observed during high-seas operations.
33- Various studies and reports are required within 1–24 months of enactment, detailing technology impacts, international influence, and knowledge gaps for future action.
34Funding
35- Authorization of $20 million per year from FY2025–FY2030 to implement Section 4 (IUU Vessel List) and its enforcement framework.
36- An additional $4 million authorized for the National Academies study under Section 12(d).

Impact Areas

Primary groups/areas affected- Foreign vessels, fleets, and beneficial owners engaged in IUU fishing or connected to forced labor.- United States importers and consumers of seafood, especially those relying on imports from high-risk flag states or regions.- US Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and federal law enforcement agencies responsible for enforcement and seizures.Secondary groups/areas affected- Foreign governments and RFMO members, which could face increased scrutiny, port-entry restrictions, and negotiation leverage in bilateral and multilateral agreements.- Global seafood supply chains, including processors, exporters, and distributors who may need enhanced due diligence to avoid IUU-linked shipments.- Companies and individuals involved in sanctions, asset freezes, or visa restrictions under the Treasury and State authorities.Additional impacts- Increased transparency about IUU fishing may affect markets, trade policy discussions, and international diplomacy.- Potential short-term disruption for compliant fishing operations in certain regions as enforcement and compliance tighten.- Encouragement of domestic and international capacity-building to improve sustainable fisheries management and labor standards.

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