Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Introduced
Summary
Treats economic harm by foreign actors as a valid cause for fishery resource disasters. It creates an "economic cause" category and requires documentation of foreign actions that distort markets or harm a fishery's operational or economic viability, including illegal or unreported fishing, forced or child labor, predatory pricing, and harmful subsidies.
Show full summary
- Fishing families and coastal communities: Economic damage to local fisheries and community economies can now be cited when requesting a fishery resource disaster declaration.
- Commercial fishermen and fishery managers: Officials must consider market distortions, price impacts, and foreign activities such as illegal fishing, forced or child labor, predatory pricing, and subsidies when evaluating disasters.
- U.S. companies with foreign ties and foreign entities: The bill defines "foreign person" broadly to include foreign governments, international financial institutions, foreign businesses, and U.S. entities owned or controlled by foreign persons.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Broader disaster relief for fishing businesses
If enacted, this bill would add an "economic cause" as a reason to declare a fishery disaster. The Secretary could count foreign actions that distort markets, disrupt harvests, or harm a fishery’s ability to operate. It would define "foreign person" to include non‑U.S. individuals, foreign governments, foreign companies, and U.S. firms they control. It would also allow any combination of causes to be considered together. Fishing businesses and towns could have a better chance to qualify for disaster aid.
New proof rules for foreign market harm
If enacted, the Secretary would need to review U.S. and export prices for the fishery’s seafood when judging disaster requests. To have foreign actions considered, requesters would need to submit documents that link those actions to harm. Proof could include illegal or unreported fishing (including forced or child labor), predatory pricing, or subsidies that lower prices or distort markets. This could help petitions that show clear market harm, but it could also add time and cost to gather evidence.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
FL • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Gonzalez, V.
TX • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
LA • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
NC • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov