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

For Immediate Release
June 24th, 2008

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

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation (S. 2907) sponsored by Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) 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 (IFSEA) would strengthen United States’ fisheries law enforcement programs and would assist developing countries with fisheries monitoring and enforcement.

“In Hawaii, and other ocean states, we understand that the enforcement of fisheries laws is key to sustaining our marine environment and our fisheries-related industries,” said Senator Inouye. “The International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act of 2008 will increase our nation’s role in combating IUU both at home and on the high seas. The measure is a step toward responsible, cooperative, balanced and enforceable international conservation and management agreements.”

“This measure will strengthen our ability to enforce our international fisheries laws and help other nations do the same,” said Senator Stevens. “IUU fishing accounts for billions of dollars in illegal seafood products globally, much of which enters the United States. America and other responsible nations that rely on sustainable fisheries for jobs and food must work to end this destructive practice, and this bill is a strong start.”

IUU fishing accounts for nearly $9 billion in lost revenue annually. Currently, the United States has a limited patchwork of law enforcement provisions created through dozens of individual statutes that implement international fisheries agreements. The Inouye-Stevens bill approved by the Committee 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 related statutes.

The IFSEA would:

Strengthen and harmonize U.S. fisheries law enforcement authority and makes the enforcement language of regional fishery management organization (RFMO) implementing statutes consistent with the enforcement provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act;

Strengthen civil and criminal penalties for violating international fisheries laws;

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

Create an interagency “International Fisheries Enforcement Program” to extend law enforcement authorities across government agencies and authorize better coordination and resource sharing in investigations; and

Create an “International Cooperation and Assistance Program” to authorize assistance to developing countries to increase their capacity for fisheries monitoring and enforcement.

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For Immediate Release June 24th, 2008

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

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation (S. 2907) sponsored by Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) 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 (IFSEA) would strengthen United States’ fisheries law enforcement programs and would assist developing countries with fisheries monitoring and enforcement. “In Hawaii, and other ocean states, we understand that the enforcement of fisheries laws is key to sustaining our marine environment and our fisheries-related industries,” said Senator Inouye. “The International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act of 2008 will increase our nation’s role in combating IUU both at home and on the high seas. The measure is a step toward responsible, cooperative, balanced and enforceable international conservation and management agreements.” “This measure will strengthen our ability to enforce our international fisheries laws and help other nations do the same,” said Senator Stevens. “IUU fishing accounts for billions of dollars in illegal seafood products globally, much of which enters the United States. America and other responsible nations that rely on sustainable fisheries for jobs and food must work to end this destructive practice, and this bill is a strong start.” IUU fishing accounts for nearly $9 billion in lost revenue annually. Currently, the United States has a limited patchwork of law enforcement provisions created through dozens of individual statutes that implement international fisheries agreements. The Inouye-Stevens bill approved by the Committee 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 related statutes. The IFSEA would: Strengthen and harmonize U.S. fisheries law enforcement authority and makes the enforcement language of regional fishery management organization (RFMO) implementing statutes consistent with the enforcement provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; Strengthen civil and criminal penalties for violating international fisheries laws; Make the IUU vessel list permanent and allows the Secretary of Treasury to deny port access to IUU fishing vessels; Create an interagency “International Fisheries Enforcement Program” to extend law enforcement authorities across government agencies and authorize better coordination and resource sharing in investigations; and Create an “International Cooperation and Assistance Program” to authorize assistance to developing countries to increase their capacity for fisheries monitoring and enforcement. ###