Bill · S. 688· Senate(119-S-688)
Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/24/2025
- Last activity
- 3/24/2026 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Sullivan
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 4
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at its global sources. The bill establishes an IUU vessel list maintained by the Secretary of Commerce to identify foreign vessels and beneficial owners involved in these activities. It imposes visa sanctions on foreign persons associated with vessels on this list, making them inadmissible to the United States. Additionally, the act directs the Coast Guard to increase observations and boardings of suspected vessels on the high seas. The legislation also promotes international cooperation, technical assistance, and data-driven strategies to address the links between IUU fishing and forced labor.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill promotes the sustainability of fish stocks and combats illegal harvesting.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The act requires the creation and publication of an IUU vessel list.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill expands federal oversight and enforcement capabilities regarding maritime activities.
The opposite
Would immigrants be better off under this?-5
The bill imposes strict visa sanctions and ineligibility for certain foreign persons.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-1
The bill includes processes for challenging vessel placement on the IUU list, but imposes strict visa sanctions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency of Illegal Fishing: The creation of a public IUU vessel list including vessel names, identifiers, and beneficial owner information helps track those engaging in illegal activities (Section 4).
-
Visa Sanctions against Bad Actors: Foreign persons who own or have substantial control over vessels on the IUU list will be considered inadmissible to the United States and have existing visas revoked (Section 5).
-
Increased Maritime Oversight: The Coast Guard is directed to increase its observation of vessels suspected of IUU fishing and consider boarding them to the greatest extent practicable (Section 7).
-
Support for Sustainable Fisheries: The policy encourages partnering with various groups, including artisanal or subsistence fishing communities and fishers, to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks (Section 3).
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Technological Integration: A study will be conducted to assess how new technologies, such as drones and satellite Wi-Fi, can be integrated into global fisheries enforcement and management (Section 12).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Visa and Entry Restrictions: Foreign persons identified as owners or beneficial owners of vessels on the IUU list will face ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole into the United States (Section 5).
-
Revocation of Documentation: Any current visa or entry documentation held by a foreign person described in the sanctions may be canceled with immediate effect (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3Improves Due Process-1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+2Improves Diplomatic Engagement+1Improves International Trade+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Immigrants-5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months ago | In the nature of a substitute. |
- 3/24/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 3/22/2026
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1496-1503)
- The committee amendment withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1500-1503)
- 2/3/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment. With written report No. 119-101.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 313.
- 12/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island