The "Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025" aims to combat illegal fishing by increasing international collaboration, authorizing sanctions on those involved, and requiring reports on global illegal fishing activities.
Timothy "Tim" Kaine
Senator
VA
The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by increasing international collaboration, authorizing sanctions on foreign individuals and vessels involved in IUU fishing or trade in endangered species, and requiring regular reports to Congress on global IUU fishing activities and efforts to address them. The Act empowers the President to impose measures such as blocking property, denying entry to the U.S., and prohibiting access to U.S. ports for those engaged in these illicit activities. It also prioritizes working with allies and international organizations to deploy technology and hold accountable those involved in IUU fishing, with a particular focus on the actions of the People's Republic of China.
New Bill Targets Illegal Global Fishing with Sanctions: Asset Freezes, Visa Bans, and Port Denials Authorized
The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 aims to tackle illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing and the related trade in endangered species on a global scale. It sets up a framework for the U.S. to collaborate more closely with international partners and authorizes the President to impose significant sanctions on foreign individuals and vessels found engaging in or supporting these activities.
Casting a Wider Net: Diplomacy and Tech
First off, the bill puts a priority on teamwork. Section 3 directs the Secretary of State to lean on friendly nations and international groups to combat IUU fishing. This involves deploying advanced tech (within maritime law agreements) and specifically calls for holding actors accountable, noting the People's Republic of China. It also pushes for greater United Nations involvement in addressing the problem.
The Enforcement Toolkit: Bringing Down the Hammer
The real teeth of this legislation are in Section 4, which gives the President the power to slap sanctions on foreign individuals or vessels caught doing IUU fishing or illicitly trading endangered species (unless it's for conservation). This isn't just for the ones caught red-handed; it extends to those complicit, leaders of involved organizations, vessel owners/operators, and anyone providing material assistance or support.
What kind of sanctions are we talking about?
- Blocked Property: Think asset freezes. Any property or financial interests the targeted person has in the U.S. or held by U.S. persons could be blocked.
- No Entry: Individuals involved (including corporate officers or major shareholders) could be denied visas and barred from entering the United States. Existing visas could be revoked.
- Port Ban: Foreign vessels involved could be denied entry into U.S. ports.
- Credit Cut-Off: U.S. financial institutions would be prohibited from giving loans or credit to sanctioned entities.
- Forex Freeze: Transactions in foreign exchange involving the sanctioned party could be prohibited if they fall under U.S. jurisdiction.
The Fine Print: Waivers and Watchdogs
There's an important caveat: the President can waive these sanctions if deemed in the U.S. "national interest," a term that often allows for flexibility. The bill includes standard exceptions for intelligence activities, international agreements, vessel safety, and genuine humanitarian aid (though not for food obtained via illegal fishing).
To keep things transparent, Section 5 mandates that the State Department brief Congress within 90 days on anti-IUU efforts. It also requires annual reports for four years detailing progress, evaluating China's IUU fishing activities, and assessing how well global forums are tackling the issue. This reporting structure aims to provide ongoing oversight of how the act's powers are being used and whether they're effective.