Bill would sanction foreign vessels and crews tied to illegal fishing
Passed one chamberH.R. 6338Latest action
Sponsor: Gregory W. Meeks · Representative · NY
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Stop Illegal Fishing Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Stop Illegal Fishing Act requires U.S. sanctions on foreign people and vessels involved in illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill requires the president to impose sanctions on foreign people and fishing vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Sanctioned individuals would have U.S. assets frozen, lose visa eligibility, and have existing visas canceled immediately. The bill allows humanitarian, food, medicine, and emergency safety exceptions, plus a national security waiver, and requires annual reports to Congress for five years.
Who does it affect?
Foreign fishing companies, ship owners, captains, senior crew members, and executives engaged in illegal fishing, particularly those tied to China, which Congress identifies as the largest source of the problem. Everyday U.S. residents are not directly regulated.
Why does it matter?
Illegal fishing harms ocean ecosystems, violates international law, and is often linked to poor treatment or forced labor of fishing crews.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Based on the “Referred in Senate” text of Jun 9, 2026.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedDec 1, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Jun 9, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.