Saving Seafood

Lawmakers seek to protect US fishermen from low-priced imports

December 31, 2025 — There may be good news on the horizon for U.S. fishermen if Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., can get legislation passed that would add “economic cause” as a trigger for economic relief for industries affected by low-priced imports.

Currently, under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, fishermen affected by natural or manmade disasters like hurricanes or oil spills are eligible for federal relief. But American shrimp fishermen, whose industry has lost half its value since 2021 due to imports, according to the Southern Shrimp Alliance, have no protection as their livelihoods collapse.

If passed, Mace’s “Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025” would expand NOAA’s Fishery Resource Disaster Assistance Program and allow states to formally request a fishery resource disaster determination in cases such as the U.S. shrimp fishery.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Bill lets ‘economic harm’ trigger federal fishery disaster aid

December 29, 2025 — Commercial fishermen who experience unexpected losses from foreign competition would be eligible for federal assistance under a proposal to expand the current relief rules.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act currently provides aid to the seafood industry if is hurt by natural or manmade disasters such as hurricanes or oil spills. A bill from U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., would amend the law to include “economic cause” as an allowable trigger for a disaster declaration when that harm is tied to activities carried out by a foreign person or state.

Mace’s bill targets coastal states where fishermen say they have been undercut by cheap imports and alleged illegal practices abroad. Mace has framed the bill as a way to steer buyers toward domestic seafood and protect the commercial fishing way of life. The bill has eight other cosponsors and bipartisan support.

Read the full article at The Center Square

US House passes military funding bill eliminating Buy American exceptions for seafood

September 15, 2025 — A last-minute amendment to the U.S. House version of the annual defense funding legislation would eliminate any exceptions for seafood from the government’s usual “Buy American” provisions.

Under the Berry Amendment, the federal government is required to purchase American-made products, although exceptions can be made for select products and those for which the government determines a U.S. produced good is unavailable. However, a provision added by U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) would ensure exceptions cannot be issued for seafood, fish, or shellfish purchases.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Rep. Nancy Mace pushes amendment to ensure military buys only American-caught seafood

September 10, 2025 — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is wading into “Shrimpgate” waters.

On Tuesday, the three-term member of Congress introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require the Department of Defense to purchase only American-caught seafood.

“For too long, foreign competitors have undercut American workers, threatened our economy, and exploited loopholes in federal law,” Mace said. “If the Pentagon is buying seafood, it will come from American waters, caught by American hands, not from our adversaries.”

Read the full article at ABC 4

New Legislation Seeks to Amend Magnuson-Stevens Act, Address Economic Causes of Fishery Disasters

October 22, 2024 — Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) introduced the Protect American Fisheries Act of 2024, a law that found the support of various fishing organizations, including the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), along with bipartisan support.

According to a press release from Mace’s office, the bill would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, adding economic causes as allowable grounds for declaring a fishery resource disaster.

“Foreign interference in U.S. fishery markets, particularly through illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, subsidized foreign fleets, forced and child labor, and dumping of contaminated seafood products, is devastating domestic industries.”

“Our domestic fisheries are under assault not only from illegal and subsidized foreign competition but also from bureaucratic red tape failing to protect American industries. The Protect American Fisheries Act takes a stand against these harmful practices and the inefficiencies in our system allowing them to persist. This legislation ensures we can cut through the red tape, defend the livelihoods of hardworking American fishermen, and strengthen our coastal economies by targeting illegal fishing, predatory pricing, and foreign market distortions,” said Mace.

Read the full article at Seafoodnews.com