Saving Seafood

Bill to combat illegal foreign seafood harvest passes Senate

March 25, 2026 — Legislation to keep illegal foreign seafood from entering U.S. ports and waters has passed the U.S. Senate, and now awaits similar action on a companion bill before the U.S. House.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act takes a strong stand against foreign illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by blacklisting offending vessels, bolstering the U.S. Coast guard’s enforcement capabilities and partnerships and advancing international and bilateral negotiations to achieve enforceable agreements and treaties.

Read the full article at The Cordova Times

US Senate passes FISH Act, again

March 23, 2026 — The U.S. Senate has once again voted to pass the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act, legislation that would give the federal government more tools to crack down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing conducted by foreign fleets.

The FISH Act directs the U.S. government to create a blacklist of vessels banned from U.S. waters due to their participating in IUU fishing. The bill also supports increased at-sea inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard and requires a report on what technologies can be used to better combat IUU fishing.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

RHODE ISLAND: Federal officials look to stop illegal fishing fleets near RI coast

August 11, 2025 — In the weeks since the Senate Commerce Committee passed the bipartisan Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act in May, its momentum continues to build.

Spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the bill is now primed for a full Senate vote, as lawmakers use summer hearing information to press their case against foreign fishing fleets that threaten American waters, jobs, and sustainability.

“Our bill cracks down on illegal pirate fishing operations to level the playing field for Rhode Island fishermen and processors who play by the rules, and will help nurture the fisheries that keep our oceans and coastal communities so healthy and vibrant,” Whitehouse said.

Read the full article at The Independent