U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

For Immediate Release
April 24th, 2008

INOUYE AND STEVENS INTRODUCE MEASURE TO HELP PREVENT ILLEGAL SEAFOOD FROM ENTERING U.S.
Bill Would Close Gaps in Law that Still Allow IUU Fish Products to Be Sold in U.S.

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.

“The problems of IUU fishing, coupled with global overfishing in general, have had a significant impact on our marine environment and on our economy,” said Senator Inouye. “Marine science tells us that many fish stocks know no boundaries, and in fact traverse across national maritime borders and into the high seas. We therefore need responsible, cooperative, balanced and enforceable international conservation and management agreements for fisheries. This measure will help ensure a sustainable supply of fish both within our Exclusive Economic Zone and on the high seas.”

“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:

Strengthens and harmonizes U.S. fisheries law enforcement authority in IFSEA and makes all regional fishery management organization (RFMO) implementing legislation consistent with IFSEA;

Strengthens civil and criminal penalties;

Makes the IUU vessel list permanent and allows the Secretary of Treasury to deny port access to IUU fishing vessels;

Creates an interagency “International Fisheries Enforcement Program” that extends law enforcement authorities across Federal agencies and authorizes better coordination and resource sharing in investigations; and

Creates an “International Cooperation and Assistance Program” to authorize assistance to developing countries on fisheries monitoring and enforcement.

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For Immediate Release April 24th, 2008

INOUYE AND STEVENS INTRODUCE MEASURE TO HELP PREVENT ILLEGAL SEAFOOD FROM ENTERING U.S. Bill Would Close Gaps in Law that Still Allow IUU Fish Products to Be Sold in U.S.

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. “The problems of IUU fishing, coupled with global overfishing in general, have had a significant impact on our marine environment and on our economy,” said Senator Inouye. “Marine science tells us that many fish stocks know no boundaries, and in fact traverse across national maritime borders and into the high seas. We therefore need responsible, cooperative, balanced and enforceable international conservation and management agreements for fisheries. This measure will help ensure a sustainable supply of fish both within our Exclusive Economic Zone and on the high seas.” “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: Strengthens and harmonizes U.S. fisheries law enforcement authority in IFSEA and makes all regional fishery management organization (RFMO) implementing legislation consistent with IFSEA; Strengthens civil and criminal penalties; Makes the IUU vessel list permanent and allows the Secretary of Treasury to deny port access to IUU fishing vessels; Creates an interagency “International Fisheries Enforcement Program” that extends law enforcement authorities across Federal agencies and authorizes better coordination and resource sharing in investigations; and Creates an “International Cooperation and Assistance Program” to authorize assistance to developing countries on fisheries monitoring and enforcement. ###