President Obama has signed into law the ‘Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act’, H.R. 774.
This bi-partisan legislation will advance US efforts to prevent illegally harvested fish from entering the country’s ports and market and achieve sustainable fisheries globally. It will also help address key priorities in the Administration’s action plan for IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
The United States will now join a global effort to ratify and implement the Port State Measures Agreement, which will prevent vessels carrying fish caught illegally from entering US ports and keep illegal product out of the market.
Twenty five countries are needed for the treaty to enter into force. More than half of this number has been achieved so far, the US says it will continue to work closely with its partners around the world to finalise this important treaty. These measures will benefit US fishermen, seafood buyers, and consumers by protecting domestic fishermen from unfair, illegal competition and ensure consumer confidence in the seafood supply.
The signing of this bill will also enhance the US’s ability to prevent IUU fish and fish product from entering US commerce by strengthening domestic enforcement authorities.
