Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025
Summary
The Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025 amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It introduces 'economic cause' as a basis for declaring a fishery resource disaster. This allows for consideration of foreign activities that negatively impact the economic viability of American fisheries.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to provide relief to American fishermen and fishing communities facing economic hardship due to foreign competition. It broadens the criteria for disaster declarations to include situations where foreign entities distort markets or disrupt sustainable harvesting.
Potential Benefits
- Provides economic relief to fishing communities affected by foreign actions.
- Addresses unfair trade practices like predatory pricing and subsidies.
- Supports the sustainability of American fisheries.
- Protects the livelihoods of American fishermen.
- Offers a mechanism to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for disputes over what constitutes an 'economic cause'.
- Possible retaliatory actions from foreign countries.
- Increased administrative burden in investigating foreign activities.
- Risk of misuse for protectionist measures.
- May not address underlying environmental issues affecting fisheries.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with Congress's power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution (the Commerce Clause). It also relates to the general welfare clause, as it aims to promote the economic stability of American fishing communities. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or freedoms.
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).