Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025; FISH Act of 2025
Summary
The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025, or FISH Act of 2025, aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing globally. It establishes a "black list" of foreign vessels engaged in IUU fishing or related activities, imposing sanctions and import prohibitions. The Act also encourages international cooperation and provides resources for technical assistance to improve fisheries management in other nations.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased scrutiny of foreign fishing vessels and seafood imports. It could also result in sanctions against individuals and entities involved in IUU fishing and forced labor. The establishment of the IUU vessel list and associated enforcement measures will likely disrupt IUU fishing operations.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced IUU fishing and associated environmental damage.
- Protection of endangered species.
- Improved labor conditions in the fishing industry by combating forced labor.
- Enhanced international cooperation on fisheries management.
- Increased food security by promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential trade disputes with countries whose vessels are blacklisted.
- Increased costs for seafood importers due to enhanced scrutiny and potential supply chain disruptions.
- Possible unintended consequences for legitimate fishing operations.
- The need for significant resources to implement and enforce the Act.
- Risk of retaliatory measures from other countries.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) by regulating international trade and preventing unfair competition from IUU fishing. The Act's provisions regarding sanctions and enforcement are subject to due process requirements, as outlined in the Fifth Amendment. The Act also aligns with the Treaty Clause (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2) by encouraging international agreements to combat IUU fishing.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).