A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025, or the "FISH Act of 2025," aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing globally. The bill establishes an "IUU vessel list" to identify and blacklist foreign vessels, fleets, and beneficial owners involved in illegal fishing or forced labor. Vessels on this list face various restrictions, including being prohibited from accessing U.S. ports and importing seafood into the United States. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions, such as blocking property and revoking visas, on entities participating in IUU fishing or the sale of endangered species. The legislation also promotes international cooperation, increased Coast Guard observations, and studies on the economic impacts of illegal fishing.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill protects marine resources and ensures the sustainability of fish stocks by combating illegal fishing.
- Scored +6
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill enhances maritime security and import controls to prevent illegal goods from entering U.S. waters.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill protects consumers from seafood products linked to illegal fishing and forced labor through strict import prohibitions.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill does not directly address digital cybersecurity defenses.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Combating Forced Labor: The bill seeks to counter links between IUU fishing and forced labor, human trafficking, and other maritime security threats (Section 3 de Policy).
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Protecting Marine Resources: The policy prioritizes preventing IUU fishing at its sources and supporting the sustainability of fish stocks in Arctic international waters (Section 3 de Policy).
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Targeting Illegal Vessels: The establishment of an IUU vessel list provides a way to identify and penalize foreign vessels, fleets, and beneficial owners engaged in illegal fishing (Section 4(c)(1)).
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Strict Import Controls: The bill prohibits the import of seafood caught, processed, or transported by vessels on the IUU list, which helps ensure the legality of seafood entering the country (Section 4(d)(3)).
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Economic Accountability: The bill authorizes studies to evaluate the economic costs of IUU fishing and fishing involving forced labor to the United States and global economies (Section 12(c)(1)(B-C)).
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Support for Sustainable Fisheries: The legislation encourages increased support for programs that provide technical assistance and investment to help other nations manage their fisheries sustainably (Section 10(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Trade Restrictions and Prohibitions: Foreign vessels on the IUU vessel list are prohibited from accessing U.S. ports, using port services, or traveling through U.S. territorial seas (Section 4(d)(1)).
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Sanctions and Financial Burdens: The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to block the property and interests of foreign persons or entities involved in IUU fishing (Section 5(b)(1)).
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Travel Restrictions: Foreign persons identified under the sanctioning authority are considered inadmissible to the United States and are ineligible to receive visas (Section 5(b)(2)(A)).
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Seizure of Goods: The cargo of a vessel on the IUU list may be subject to seizure and forfeiture to the United States (Section 4(e)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill enhances maritime security and import controls to prevent illegal goods from entering U.S. waters. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill addresses human rights abuses such as forced labor which disproportionately affect marginalized populations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill protects marine resources and ensures the sustainability of fish stocks by combating illegal fishing.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill protects the sustainability of fish stocks that support coastal and rural fishing communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By combating forced labor, the bill targets exploitative practices often found in low-income labor markets. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill may have minor indirect impacts on urban seafood markets by ensuring product legality.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects consumers from seafood products linked to illegal fishing and forced labor through strict import prohibitions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes studies on the impact of new maritime technologies and ecological sustainability.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of an IUU vessel list and various transparency reports to the public.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill encourages increased international cooperation and technical assistance to manage fisheries sustainably. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill does not directly address digital cybersecurity defenses.
- 4/27/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/21/2026
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/19/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 11/12/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 10/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/6/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 6/5/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Nancy MaceRepublican · South Carolina
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Aumua Amata RadewagenRepublican · American Samoa
Christopher SmithRepublican · New Jersey
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia