H.R. 3706: Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification Act

This bill, known as the Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification Act or SUSHI Act, mandates the development of a standardized method for identifying the country of origin of seafood. The primary aim is to help combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. Here is a breakdown of the main components of the bill:

Definitions

• Administrator: Refers to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• Key Agency Leadership: Includes the Administrator and the Under Secretary, in consultation with officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard.
• Initial Seafood Species: The bill specifies red snapper and several species of tuna (bigeye, yellowfin, and bluefin) for pilot studies of the methodology.

Methodology Development

Key agency leadership (NOAA and related officials) will work together to develop a standard methodology that is:

• Based on chemical analysis.
• Aimed at identifying the country of origin of seafood to assist in enforcement against IUU fishing.
• Designed to meet the needs of federal and state law enforcement agencies.
• Efficient, with minimized processing time.
• Portable, utilizing a field kit that can be easily carried by one person.
• Capable, when feasible, of testing various seafood preparations like ceviche, sashimi, sushi, and poke.

Initial Pilot Studies

The bill requires the development of this methodology to include pilot studies focusing on:

• Red Snapper: Representing a stationary fish stock.
• Tuna: Serving as an example of highly migratory fish stocks.

Reporting Requirements

After the methodology is developed, the Under Secretary must submit a report to Congress within two years of the law's enactment that includes:

• A summary of the developed methodology.
• A plan for how to operationalize this methodology.
• An explanation if any aspect of the methodology is deemed impractical, including potential alternative approaches and the need for additional research.

Goals of the Bill

The overarching goals of the SUSHI Act are to enhance the traceability of seafood products, reduce the incidences of IUU fishing, and ultimately protect marine biodiversity and sustainable fishing practices.

Relevant Companies

• TSN (Tyson Foods, Inc.): May be impacted due to its interest in seafood sourcing and compliance with new identification standards.
• GIS (Grubhub Inc.): Could be affected in terms of seafood ingredient sourcing and menu compliance with the identification standards.