House Committee Advances Bipartisan FISH Act to Crack Down on Illegal Fishing
Press Release Date: April 21, 2026
Location: Washington
Contact:
Megan Jordan | email: mjordan@oceana.org | tel: 202.868.4061
The House Natural Resources Committee today advanced the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act, a bipartisan bill that would give the United States new tools to crack down on illegal fishing and stop bad actors at sea.
The FISH Act, introduced by Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R‑TX) and Seth Magaziner (D‑RI), targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by strengthening enforcement, increasing accountability for foreign fishing vessels and their operators, and preventing bad actors from importing their seafood into the United States. Illegal fishing undermines ocean ecosystems and costs the global economy tens of billions of dollars each year. It also exposes workers to abuse and exploitation.
“Oceana commends the House Natural Resources Committee for advancing the FISH Act. This bill is a positive step toward holding bad actors accountable and leveling the playing field for law‑abiding fishers,” said Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell. “Illegal fishing strips our oceans, exploits workers, and floods markets with illicit seafood products. The FISH Act sends a clear message: the United States will not tolerate bad actors or accept seafood tied to destructive illegal fishing or forced labor. Congress must now pass the FISH Act, which will position the United States as a leader in the fight against IUU fishing and protect domestic fishers, workers at sea, consumers, and our oceans.”
If enacted, the FISH Act would:
- Establish a public list of fishing vessels and owners involved in illegal fishing and forced labor;
- Ban those vessels from U.S. ports and waters, allow the seizure of their ships and cargo, and block imports of their seafood;
- Target individuals who profit from illegal fishing through complex and opaque layers of corporate ownership;
- Align the U.S. definition of IUU fishing with international standards; and
- Strengthen U.S. leadership in combating illegal fishing globally.
Background
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a low-risk, high-reward activity, especially on the high seas where a fragmented legal framework and lack of effective enforcement allow it to thrive. IUU fishing can include fishing without authorization, ignoring catch limits, operating in closed or protected areas, targeting protected wildlife, and fishing with prohibited gear. These illicit activities can destroy important ocean habitats, severely deplete fish populations, and threaten global food security. These actions not only contribute to overfishing but also give illegal fishers an unfair advantage over those who play by the rules.


