HARPOON Act

This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct or support capacity-building programs for foreign security forces, specifically to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations . This expands existing authority under Title 10, United States Code, to enhance international efforts against detrimental fishing practices. The bill further directs the Secretary of the Navy and the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish joint patrols with foreign partners to enhance counter-IUU fishing, combat transnational crime, and bolster regional security. Annual reports to Congress are mandated, detailing these engagements, assessing operational effectiveness, identifying resource limitations, and providing recommendations for program improvement.