Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Protecting U.S. Fishers from Illegal Foreign Flags Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Protecting U.S. Fishers from Illegal Foreign Flags Act of 2026. It allows the Secretary of Commerce to look at nations with open registries when figuring out which countries are involved in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. Specifically, it targets nations that let vessels operate under their laws without confirming a genuine link between the nation and the people who own or control the vessel. As a result, these nations fail to effectively exercise their flag state responsibilities. The bill also requires the Secretary to change the definition of illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This updated definition must match the Maritime SAFE Act.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by targeting nations with open registries.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Protects law-abiding commercial fishers and seafood businesses from unfair competition.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Benefits coastal and rural fishing communities by protecting local fish stocks from illegal foreign depletion.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2: This part allows the Secretary of Commerce to target nations that let vessels operate without a genuine link to the owners and fail to manage their flag state responsibilities. This is a positive step because it holds foreign countries accountable if they let ships hide behind their flags while engaging in bad fishing practices.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2: The provided text does not mention any negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Protects law-abiding commercial fishers and seafood businesses from unfair competition. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Benefits coastal and rural fishing communities by protecting local fish stocks from illegal foreign depletion.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by targeting nations with open registries.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Improves regulatory clarity by aligning the definition of illegal fishing with the Maritime SAFE Act. Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the Secretary of Commerce expanded authority to identify and penalize nations engaging in harmful fishing practices.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Supports domestic fishers and legitimate businesses by cracking down on unfair foreign competition utilizing open registries.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Strengthens international fisheries management accountability and compliance with maritime conventions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — Enhances oversight of foreign vessels operating near or under international frameworks.
- 8/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi