SUSHI Act

This bill directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood. This initiative is designed to bolster enforcement efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing . These key agency leaders will consult with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Commandant of the Coast Guard in this development. The methodology must be based on chemical analysis and tailored to meet the needs of Federal and State law enforcement agencies. Key requirements include minimizing processing time, utilizing a portable field kit , and being capable of testing various prepared seafood dishes, such as sushi and ceviche. Initial pilot studies for this methodology will focus on two specific species: red snapper, representing a stationary stock, and tuna, as an example of a highly migratory stock. Within two years of the bill's enactment, the Under Secretary must submit a comprehensive report to Congress. This report will summarize the developed methodology, outline a plan for its operationalization, and provide explanations if any aspect is deemed impractical, suggesting further research or alternative approaches.