FISH Act of 2023

The FISH Act of 2023 establishes a U.S. "black list" of foreign fishing vessels engaged in Illegal, Unreported, or Unregulated (IUU) fishing, including those using forced labor. Vessels on this list would be denied access to U.S. ports, services, and transshipment in U.S. waters, with sanctions imposed on their beneficial owners. The bill requires coordination between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, State Department, and Customs and Border Protection to implement the list, verify seafood imports, and share data to combat IUU fishing. It also authorizes $20 million annually for enforcement and includes provisions for technical assistance to help nations improve fisheries management. The law directly affects foreign fishing vessels, their owners, and U.S. agencies responsible for enforcement and import verification.