Protect American Fishers and Stop Illegal Seafood

Illegal fishing undercuts American fishers who play by the rules, threatens our oceans, and is closely connected to forced labor at sea. It’s not hypothetical. It’s happening right now.

But Congress has a chance to change that.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act would take a major step toward stopping illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing — and protecting American fishers, our oceans, and consumers. If passed, this bipartisan bill would crack down on foreign vessels engaged in illegal fishing and forced labor, strengthen enforcement across U.S. agencies, and help stop illegally caught seafood from entering our borders. We must demand more transparency in fisheries and hold bad actors accountable.

American fishers deserve a level playing field. Our oceans deserve protection. Consumers deserve to know their seafood isn’t tied to exploitation. Add your voice today to tell your representatives to support the FISH Act.

petition text

Dear {contact_data~salutation},

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to cosponsor H.R. 3756, the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act. This bipartisan legislation takes a major step forward in defending the U.S. seafood sector by acting against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The FISH Act will increase accountability for foreign fishing vessels and their owners and operators as well as strengthen enforcement against IUU fishing. Supporting this bill means standing with American fishers and reinforcing U.S. authority to more effectively combat foreign fishing practices that harm ocean health, deplete fish populations, threaten global food security, and perpetuate forced labor and human rights abuses — undermining U.S. fishermen who follow the rules.

A central component of the FISH Act is the creation of a public list of foreign vessels and fleets engaged in IUU fishing and/or forced labor. The bill also defines “beneficial owners,” allowing enforcement efforts to target individuals who profit from IUU activities but often evade legal accountability. Vessels placed on the list would be banned from entering U.S. waters and ports, seafood imports from these vessels would be prohibited, and the vessels and their cargo would be subject to forfeiture.

Another important provision of the FISH Act allows sanctions to be imposed against a broad swath of foreign individuals or companies that engage in, support, or profit from IUU fishing. This includes those who operate or control vessels while they are engaged in or materially support IUU fishing. These sanctions may include economic sanctions, such as blocking property transactions, or visa restrictions.

The bill further strengthens U.S. efforts to curtail IUU fishing by establishing a more robust and expansive definition of IUU fishing, one that goes beyond the current definition used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This more comprehensive definition will improve enforcement and coordination among key U.S. agencies, including NOAA, the Coast Guard, the State Department, and Customs and Border Protection. The legislation also encourages the Coast Guard to increase enforcement actions targeting IUU fishing.

The United States must level the playing field so that our fishermen are not forced to compete with cheap imports caught through illicit practices, including forced labor. The House Natural Resources Committee has already advanced this bill. Please demonstrate support by cosponsoring H.R. 3756 and helping prevent seafood caught illegally or by use of forced labor from entering our country, thereby protecting domestic fishermen and U.S. consumers.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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