H.R. 6338 — Stop Illegal Fishing Act, as amended
Executive Summary
H.R. 6338, the 'Stop Illegal Fishing Act,' mandates the President to impose asset-blocking and visa-revocation sanctions on foreign persons, entities, and vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Explicitly calling out the People's Republic of China as the primary global perpetrator, the bill aims to curb overfishing, protect marine ecosystems, and combat associated human rights abuses like forced labor. The legislation provides standard humanitarian, national security, and maritime safety exceptions, alongside a national security waiver, and requires an annual enforcement report to Congress.
Arguments For
- Tough on China: Directly targets the PRC's aggressive maritime militia and distant-water fishing fleets, providing members with a strong, bipartisan anti-CCP voting record.
- Unlikely Coalition Builder: Unites environmental conservationists concerned with marine ecosystem degradation and human rights advocates fighting forced labor on the high seas.
- Protects Domestic Industry: Shields U.S. coastal communities and the domestic commercial fishing industry from unfair, subsidized, and illicit foreign competition.
Likely Supporters
Arguments Against
- Diplomatic Friction: Mandatory sanctions could complicate broader diplomatic negotiations with China or other nations with large distant-water fleets.
- Enforcement Challenges: Identifying beneficial ownership of foreign vessels and tracking high-seas IUU fishing requires significant intelligence and enforcement resources, risking a 'paper tiger' sanctions regime if underfunded.
Likely Opponents
📋 Key Provisions
- Mandates asset blocking and visa revocation for foreign individuals, entities, and vessels knowingly engaged in or primarily operating for IUU fishing.
- Requires the President to establish a dedicated IUU fishing sanctions program and submit an annual report to Congress detailing enforcement efforts and sanctioned entities for five years.
- Includes statutory exceptions for humanitarian assistance, UN obligations, U.S. national security/intelligence activities, and the safety of vessels and crew.
- Grants the President a national security waiver to bypass sanctions, requiring a 15-day advance certification to appropriate congressional committees.
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Verification Guide
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Identifies the People's Republic of China as the primary perpetrator of IUU fishing.
"the People’s Republic of China is the pri-"
Mandates asset blocking under IEEPA for sanctioned entities.
"ASSET BLOCKING.—Notwithstanding the re-"
Provides an exception for the safety of vessels and crew.
"EXCEPTION FOR SAFETY OF VESSELS AND"
Allows a presidential waiver for national security interests with 15 days notice.
"later than 15 days before such waiver"