FISH Act of 2025

H.R. 3756, the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025, would establish federal tools to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign vessels. The bill would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create and maintain a public blacklist of foreign fishing vessels and their beneficial owners engaged in illegal fishing activities. It would also authorize increased Coast Guard inspections at sea and empower the Treasury Department to impose economic sanctions on vessel owners and operators involved in illegal harvesting.

The legislation would enhance international cooperation on fisheries management and require federal agencies to develop strategies to prevent illegally caught seafood from entering U.S. commerce. Supporters argue the bill would protect American fishermen from unfair competition, safeguard coastal communities economically, and address what they characterize as a national security concern. The bill authorizes $20 million annually through fiscal year 2030 for implementation. H.R. 3756 is currently in committee consideration and has not yet been voted on by the full House.