WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), today introduced legislation to close the gaps in United States law that currently allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated  (IUU) fish products to enter the country.  The International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act of 2008 would strengthen United States’ fisheries law enforcement programs and would assist developing countries with fisheries monitoring and enforcement.

 

 

“We must send a strong message to the world that fish products harvested through IUU fishing are not welcome in the United States,” said Senator Stevens.  “This measure will strengthen our ability to enforce fisheries laws and help other nations do the same.  IUU fishing steals billions every year from those fishermen who obey the law. The U.S. and other nations that rely on sustainable fisheries for jobs and food must take a stand and say ‘no more’ to these fish pirates.”

 

IUU fishing accounts for nearly $9 billion annually.  Currently, the United States has a limited patchwork of law enforcement provisions created through individual statutes that implement international fisheries agreements.  The Inouye-Stevens bill introduced today would combat IUU fishing by consolidating those powers, increasing the fines and penalties for civil and criminal violations, clarifying the prosecutorial system, and harmonizing all related statutes. 

 

This bill would have the following key provisions:

 

 

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