Stop Illegal Fishing Act
Sponsored By: Representative Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
In Committee
Summary
Targeted sanctions to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This bill would focus penalties on foreign persons and foreign vessels and would require a sanctions program plus periodic reports to Congress.
Show full summary
- Foreign persons and vessels: The President would have to block assets under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and impose visa or admission restrictions on foreign people who knowingly own, captain, operate, or manage vessels that engage in IUU fishing, and on foreign vessels that engage in IUU fishing.
- Presidential program and reporting: The President would be required to create and run an IUU fishing sanctions program and to report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee within 180 days and annually for five years.
- Limited exceptions and oversight: Sanctions would not apply when needed to meet international obligations, provide humanitarian assistance, support authorized intelligence or law enforcement activities, or protect vessel or crew safety. The President could waive sanctions for national security reasons with advance notice to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Visa bans for illegal fishing actors
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security make noncitizens who meet the foreign-person rules inadmissible and ineligible for visas or other Immigration and Nationality Act benefits. Any visa or entry document issued to such an alien would be revoked immediately and that revocation would automatically cancel other valid visas or entry documents in the person's possession. This would sharply limit the affected person's ability to enter or remain in the United States.
New sanctions program for illegal fishing
If enacted, the bill would direct the President to create a sanctions program targeting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The program would require sanctions on foreign people who own, captain, manage, or operate vessels or entities that engage in IUU fishing, and on foreign vessels that engage in IUU fishing. The bill would define key terms like "foreign person," "foreign vessel," and "IUU fishing." It would also require reports to Congress within 180 days and then every year for five years listing sanctioned people and vessels and describing enforcement efforts.
Asset blocks and penalties for IUU
If enacted, the bill would let the President use broad IEEPA powers to block and prohibit transactions in the property and interests of sanctioned foreign people and vessels. The blocking could cover property in the United States, property that comes into U.S. jurisdiction, or property in the possession or control of a U.S. person. Civil and criminal penalties aligned with IEEPA would apply to violations. The President could waive sanctions for national security but must certify to Congress at least 15 days before the waiver takes effect.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov