FISH Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would build a statutory framework to suppress _illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing_ and seafood harvested with forced labor by linking a public vessel list, visa-based sanctions, enhanced Coast Guard actions, data strategies, and international capacity building. It combines enforcement tools, diplomacy, and new studies to improve supply-chain transparency and target abusive fishing practices.
Show full summary
- Creates a public IUU vessel list with required vessel identifiers, ownership and registration details, and public explanations for listings. Agencies must maintain the list and provide a 90-day response window plus a hearing process for owners and beneficial owners.
- Targets people and entities tied to listed vessels with visa-related consequences including denial and revocation while expanding Coast Guard boarding of suspected IUU vessels. It also requires cross-agency reporting on High Seas Boarding and Inspections and enforcement outcomes.
- Funds diplomacy, technical assistance, and partner capacity building to strengthen regional fisheries management organizations and foreign fisheries. It mandates a technology study within 1 year and a Russia–China fishing collaboration study within 2 years and adds a National Academies review tied to the Interagency Working Group.
*If enacted and funded, the bill would authorize about $10 million per year for 2026–2031 and a $2 million National Academies study, increasing federal spending by roughly $62 million over that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger enforcement and data tools
If enacted, an interagency working group would plan stronger enforcement, data sharing, and risk-targeting to stop illegal fishing and fishing with forced labor. The group must report within 3 years and map data streams, legal barriers, and joint enforcement steps. Commerce would build a public data strategy to identify seafood caught with forced labor. Homeland Security and NOAA would finish a 1-year study on new technology like drones and satellites. The Coast Guard would be asked to increase observations and consider more boardings, and to report to Congress within 3 years. The State Department would identify regional fishery groups lacking high seas boarding programs.
List of illegal fishing vessels and bans
If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would publish a public list of foreign vessels, fleets, and beneficial owners tied to illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. The bill would define who counts as a vessel's "beneficial owner": someone who controls the vessel or owns at least 50%. Owners must get 90 days to respond and may request a hearing. The agency would write rules within 12 months and update the online list whenever vessels are added. The bill would let Commerce seek $10 million per year for 2026–2031 to run the list. The bill would also make listed foreign owners ineligible for U.S. visas and entry, with narrow exceptions and a possible presidential waiver.
Studies and Sea Grant funding
If enacted, NOAA would fund a National Academies study on illegal fishing and forced labor and send Congress a report within 24 months. The bill would authorize $2,000,000 for that study. The State Department and Commerce would do a 2-year study of Russia–China fishing links and China reprocessing, which may include classified parts. The bill would also extend Sea Grant funding authorizations through fiscal year 2032 to support coastal research and outreach.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov