H.R. 6338: Stop Illegal Fishing Act

The Stop Illegal Fishing Act aims to address the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses significant risks to marine ecosystems, global fisheries, and economic security. Below are the key components of the bill:

Purpose and Background

The bill asserts that:

• IUU fishing is an increasing global problem, primarily driven by countries such as China.
• This practice leads to overfishing, harms marine environments, and negatively impacts resource conservation.
• IUU fishing violates international laws, undermines maritime sovereignty, and exploits resources to the detriment of coastal nations.
• The practice often involves poor working conditions, including human trafficking and forced labor.
• Coastal communities in developing nations, reliant on fishing for their livelihoods, suffer greatly from IUU fishing activities.
• This illegal fishing threatens U.S. economic security and affects maritime security globally.
• The U.S. government should employ sanctions to deter such activities.

Sanctions Against Individuals and Vessels

The bill outlines that:

• The President must impose sanctions on any foreign person engaging in IUU fishing, which includes those who:
1. Own vessels involved in IUU fishing.
2. Work as captains or senior crew members on such vessels.
3. Operate businesses predominantly focused on IUU fishing.
4. Hold senior management roles in companies engaging in IUU fishing.
• Foreign vessels engaged in IUU fishing are also subject to these sanctions.

Reporting Requirements

The President is required to submit a report to Congress within six months of the Act’s enactment, and annually for five years thereafter. This report must include:

• Details of the actions taken to enforce the Act.
• A list of foreign persons and vessels that have been sanctioned.

Establishing Sanctions Program

The bill mandates the creation of an IUU fishing sanctions program to implement the outlined sanctions effectively.

Details of Sanctions

The sanctions include:

• **Asset Blocking**: The President may block all transactions concerning the assets of individuals or vessels engaged in IUU fishing within U.S. jurisdiction.
• **Visa Restrictions**: Foreign nationals involved in IUU fishing may be deemed inadmissible to the U.S., and any existing visas may be revoked immediately.

Exceptions to Sanctions

There are specific exceptions where sanctions will not apply, such as:

• Complying with international obligations (e.g., United Nations agreements).
• Providing humanitarian assistance including food, medicine, and agricultural commodities.
• Conducting national security, law enforcement, and intelligence activities.
• Provisions necessary for the safety and care of vessels and their crews.

Implementation and Penalties

The President has authority under existing laws to implement these sanctions. Penalties will be enforced for violations of the regulations derived from this bill, similar to those applied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Waivers

The President may waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis if it aligns with national security interests, provided Congress is notified 15 days prior to the waiver's effect.

Definitions

The bill includes definitions for key terms such as:

• **Foreign Person**: An individual or entity not classified as a U.S. person.
• **Foreign Vessel**: A ship registered in another country or operating under foreign authority.
• **IUU Fishing**: Refers to the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities addressed by the Act.

Relevant Companies

• None found