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Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-1369| Senate 
| Updated: 2/10/2026
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (4)
Rick Scott (Republican)Bill Cassidy (Republican)John R. Curtis (Republican)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 establishes a policy for the United States to prioritize international collaboration with allies and partners to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing . It directs the Secretary of State to use U.S. influence in international forums to deploy advanced technology for maritime law enforcement and hold accountable those responsible for IUU fishing, specifically highlighting the actions of the People's Republic of China. The President may also urge the United Nations to take greater action on global IUU fishing efforts. A key provision of the bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons or vessels determined to be responsible for or complicit in IUU fishing or the illegal sale, supply, purchase, or transfer of endangered species. These sanctions can include blocking property within U.S. jurisdiction, denying visas and entry to the U.S. for individuals, prohibiting foreign vessels from accessing U.S. ports, and restricting access to U.S. financial institutions and foreign exchange transactions. The President has the authority to waive sanctions if it is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States, and certain exceptions apply for humanitarian aid, vessel safety, and international obligations. The Act requires the President to submit an annual report to Congress on the imposition of these sanctions. Furthermore, it mandates that the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, provide regular briefings and annual reports to Congress. These reports will assess global IUU fishing patterns, particularly those of the People's Republic of China, and evaluate the effectiveness of international forums in addressing these issues, while also recommending ways to bolster maritime law enforcement agreements.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5552
Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2024
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jan 29, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 10, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Feb 10, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5552
    Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2024


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • January 29, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 10, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • February 10, 2026
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

ChinaCongressional oversightEndangered and threatened speciesForeign propertyInternational organizations and cooperationMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsSanctionsVisas and passports

Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-1369| Senate 
| Updated: 2/10/2026
The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 establishes a policy for the United States to prioritize international collaboration with allies and partners to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing . It directs the Secretary of State to use U.S. influence in international forums to deploy advanced technology for maritime law enforcement and hold accountable those responsible for IUU fishing, specifically highlighting the actions of the People's Republic of China. The President may also urge the United Nations to take greater action on global IUU fishing efforts. A key provision of the bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons or vessels determined to be responsible for or complicit in IUU fishing or the illegal sale, supply, purchase, or transfer of endangered species. These sanctions can include blocking property within U.S. jurisdiction, denying visas and entry to the U.S. for individuals, prohibiting foreign vessels from accessing U.S. ports, and restricting access to U.S. financial institutions and foreign exchange transactions. The President has the authority to waive sanctions if it is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States, and certain exceptions apply for humanitarian aid, vessel safety, and international obligations. The Act requires the President to submit an annual report to Congress on the imposition of these sanctions. Furthermore, it mandates that the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, provide regular briefings and annual reports to Congress. These reports will assess global IUU fishing patterns, particularly those of the People's Republic of China, and evaluate the effectiveness of international forums in addressing these issues, while also recommending ways to bolster maritime law enforcement agreements.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5552
Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2024
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jan 29, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 10, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Feb 10, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5552
    Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2024


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • January 29, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 10, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • February 10, 2026
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (4)
Rick Scott (Republican)Bill Cassidy (Republican)John R. Curtis (Republican)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
ChinaCongressional oversightEndangered and threatened speciesForeign propertyInternational organizations and cooperationMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsSanctionsVisas and passports