New Bill Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor: Seafood Supply Chain Gets a Major Overhaul

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025, or FISH Act, is setting out to tackle illegal fishing and human rights abuses in the global seafood industry. It's a big deal because it targets both environmental damage and forced labor, aiming to make sure the seafood you buy isn't contributing to either. The core idea is to stop illegally caught fish from ever reaching U.S. shores.

Hook, Line, and Sinker: How the Bill Works

The main weapon in this bill is a "black list" of vessels and companies caught engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, or using forced labor. Think of it like a no-fly list, but for fishing boats. If you're on the list, you're banned from U.S. ports and services, and your seafood can't be imported. (Section 4). The bill also authorizes the Treasury to impose sanctions, like blocking property and revoking visas, on individuals and entities involved in IUU fishing or the sale of endangered fish species. (Section 5). The US government will create a strategy to find seafood imports harvested on foreign vessels using forced labor (Section 11).

Reeling in the Changes

This bill isn't just about punishing bad actors. It also pushes for more international cooperation. The U.S. will be working with other countries and organizations to strengthen fishing agreements and enforcement. (Section 6). For example, imagine a scenario where a U.S. Coast Guard patrol spots a foreign vessel fishing illegally in international waters. Under this bill, the Coast Guard can board and inspect the vessel, and any violations will be reported to the vessel's home country for action. (Section 7). The bill also requires better data sharing among agencies to track down illegally caught seafood. (Section 9). It's like giving law enforcement better tools to connect the dots between illegal fishing and the products that end up on our shelves.

Navigating the Waters: Challenges and Opportunities

While the bill is a step forward, making it work won't be easy. One major challenge is getting other countries to fully cooperate. The bill encourages international agreements (Section 6), but enforcing them globally is a complex task. The bill also authorizes $20 million annually from 2025-2030 to implement the blacklist, so there are resources behind it, but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem. (Section 4).

Another key point is the focus on forced labor. By linking IUU fishing to human trafficking, the bill tackles a serious human rights issue. This means companies will need to be much more careful about where their seafood comes from. For example, a restaurant owner might need to start asking tougher questions of their suppliers to make sure they're not unknowingly buying fish caught with forced labor. The bill also requires a study on the collaboration between the Russian and Chinese fishing industries, the role of Chinese seafood reprocessing, and the impact on U.S. businesses and consumers. (Section 12).

The Big Picture

The FISH Act fits into a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on global supply chains. Whether it's clothing, electronics, or seafood, there's growing pressure to ensure products are made ethically and sustainably. This bill is a clear signal that the U.S. is getting serious about cracking down on illegal fishing and the human rights abuses that often go with it. It's not just about protecting fish; it's about ensuring fair practices and a level playing field for legitimate businesses.