Magaziner, Crenshaw, Begich Introduce Bill to Combat Unfair Competition From Illegal Foreign Fishing

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02) joined Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02) and Nick Begich (R-AK-AL) to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act, legislation to confront foreign illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

The legislation, spearheaded in the United States Senate for years by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), strengthens the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement capabilities to better crack down on illegal fishing and directs the executive branch to include provisions to confront illegal foreign fishing in future international treaties and agreements. 

“To support Rhode Island’s coastal economy and Rhode Island fishermen, we need to level the playing field by cracking down on bad actors who break the rules,” said Magaziner. “I am working with Reps Crenshaw and Begich to introduce the FISH Act to confront illegal and unregulated fishing and ensure Ocean State workers have a fair market to compete in.”

“Illegal fishing by foreign vessels isn’t just a commercial issue—it’s a national security threat that undermines American businesses and harms our coastal communities,” said Crenshaw.“The bipartisan FISH Act is a strong step forward in confronting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by holding offenders accountable, enhancing our Coast Guard’s capabilities, and protecting American fisheries. This legislation sends a clear message: America will stand firm against countries like China, Russia, and others who flout international law and threaten our maritime resources.”

“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing poses a national security threat and threatens fair trade. The FISH Act of 2025 gives us the tools to take real action by cracking down on foreign vessels that undermine fair markets and strip Alaska’s waters of our critical resources,” said Begich. “Alaska’s coastal communities know the value of sustainable fisheries better than anyone, and this bill ensures that American fishermen and women aren't forced to compete against bad actors who exploit the system and disregard sustainable harvesting practices. It’s time we protect our waters, our fishermen, and our values that made Alaska the crown jewel of the U.S seafood market.”

“IUU Fishing is a serious challenge for the seafood community. Addressing it with active, aggressive, solution-based strategies is essential to combating it. That is what the FISH Act does. We thank Congressman Magaziner for recognizing the need for real world solutions,” said Ryan Clark, President and CEO of the Town Dock. 

"Where it occurs, illegal fishing harms effective fishery management measures, undercuts harvesters that fish legally and responsibly, and can be associated with unfair treatment of crewmembers. The FISH Act targets bad actors where they are, rather than imposing more costs and regulatory burdens on American companies. NFI applauds Congressmen Crenshaw, Magaziner, and Begich for introducing this important legislation,” said Lisa Wallenda Picard, President and CEO of the National Fisheries Institute.

The bipartisan, bicameral FISH Act combats IUU fishing by doing the following:

• Direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a black list of foreign vessels and owners that have engaged in IUU fishing;
• Direct the administration to address IUU fishing in any relevant international agreements;
• Direct the U.S. Coast Guard to increase its at-sea inspection of foreign vessels suspected of IUU fishing, and coordinate with regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) to determine if a vessel’s flag state is taking corrective action;
• Direct the administration to report to Congress on how new technologies can aid in the fight against IUU fishing, the complexities of the seafood trade relationship between Russia and China, and the success of prosecutions against IUU fishermen operating in U.S. waters.

In May, the Senate counterpart to this bill, sponsored by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), passed unanimously out of the United States Senate Commerce Committee. 

Read the full text of the bill here.