FISH Act Seeks to Restrict Russia and China’s Illegal Fishing in Alaskan Waters – Must Read Alaska

Report on the U.S. Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act

Introduction and Legislative Context

On October 21, the United States Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which incorporates the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Dan Sullivan and Sheldon Whitehouse, aims to strengthen the nation’s capacity to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The act addresses the significant threats IUU fishing poses to marine ecosystems, economic stability, and global food security, aligning U.S. policy more closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Provisions of the FISH Act

The legislation mandates several strategic actions to curtail IUU fishing activities, particularly those conducted by foreign fleets that disregard international regulations. These provisions are designed to enhance transparency, enforcement, and technological capabilities.

1. Establishment of a Public Blacklist: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is directed to identify and list foreign vessels and owners confirmed to be engaged in IUU fishing.
2. Strengthening International Agreements: The act empowers NOAA to more effectively address and integrate countermeasures against IUU fishing within relevant international maritime and fishery agreements.
3. Enhanced Enforcement and Cooperation: It promotes increased partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and allied nations to improve at-sea inspections and the enforcement of sustainable fishing regulations.
4. Technological Advancement: The legislation requires NOAA to identify and report to Congress on new technologies that can be deployed to detect and deter IUU fishing, with a specific focus on activities by Chinese and Russian fleets.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The FISH Act makes significant contributions to several key SDGs by addressing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of illicit fishing.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The act’s primary focus is the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

• Target 14.4: The legislation directly confronts IUU fishing, a primary driver of overfishing and marine ecosystem degradation, thereby working to restore fish stocks to sustainable levels.
• Target 14.6: By penalizing illicit operators, the act helps eliminate the economic incentives that contribute to overcapacity and IUU fishing.
• Target 14.c: It enhances the implementation of international law by strengthening domestic enforcement and fostering international cooperation to protect marine environments.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The act supports sustainable economic models and protects labor rights within the seafood industry.

• Target 8.5 & 8.7: By creating a more equitable market for law-abiding U.S. fishing communities, the act supports decent work. It also helps combat the forced labor and human rights abuses frequently associated with IUU fishing operations.
• Target 8.2: The mandate to seek out new technologies promotes innovation for sustainable economic productivity in the maritime sector.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The legislation strengthens the institutional frameworks required for effective governance and the rule of law at sea.

• Target 16.6: It builds the capacity of effective and transparent institutions like NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard to enforce regulations.
• Target 16.a: The emphasis on international partnerships strengthens global cooperation to combat transnational illicit activities.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaborative nature of the act is central to its design and intended impact.

• Target 17.14: The FISH Act represents a significant step in enhancing policy coherence for sustainable development, integrating economic, security, and environmental objectives.
• Target 17.16: Its bipartisan creation and reliance on international cooperation exemplify the multi-stakeholder partnerships necessary to achieve the SDGs.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article’s central theme is combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to protect marine ecosystems and ensure fishery sustainability.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article discusses protecting the economic viability of American fishing communities and addresses the issue of labor abuses associated with illegal fishing.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The passage of the FISH Act represents the strengthening of national institutions and legal frameworks to combat illegal activities.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights bipartisan political support and international cooperation as key elements in enforcing fishing regulations.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water
  • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices. The entire article is focused on the FISH Act, a legislative tool created specifically to combat IUU fishing, which is described as a practice that “ravage[s] fish stocks.”
  • Target 14.c: Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law. The article states the FISH Act “enables the NOAA to address IUU fishing in relevant international agreements,” directly aligning with the implementation of international law for ocean conservation.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The act aims to “level the playing field for Rhode Island fishermen and processors who play by the rules,” thereby protecting the livelihoods and economic stability of U.S. fishing communities.
  • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking. The article explicitly mentions that the FISH Act helps to enforce against “associated labor abuses in the seafood sector,” directly addressing this target.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The FISH Act strengthens the institutional capacity of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Coast Guard by directing them to establish a blacklist, enhance enforcement, and report to Congress, making the process more effective and accountable.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The article mentions that the act “enhances partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and partner countries to increase at-sea inspections,” which is a clear example of international partnership for a shared goal. The bipartisan support from Senators Sullivan (Republican) and Whitehouse (Democrat) also represents a domestic partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 14.4 (End IUU fishing):
  • Implied Indicator: The number of foreign vessels and owners added to the NOAA’s blacklist. The article states the act directs NOAA to “establish a blacklist of foreign vessels and owners suspected of engaging in IUU fishing.” The size and activity related to this list would be a direct measure of enforcement.
  • Implied Indicator: The number of at-sea inspections. The act calls for an increase in “at-sea inspections and enforcement,” which can be quantified to measure progress.
  • Implied Indicator: The number of new technologies identified and implemented to combat IUU fishing. The bill requires NOAA to “seek out new technologies… and report their solutions to Congress,” making this a trackable outcome.
• For Target 8.7 (End labor abuses):
  • Implied Indicator: A reduction in reported cases of labor abuses linked to the seafood sector. While not explicitly stated as a metric, the act’s goal to enforce against “associated labor abuses” implies that a decrease in such incidents would be a key measure of success.
• For Target 14.c (Implement international law):
  • Implied Indicator: The number of international agreements that are strengthened or newly include provisions against IUU fishing as a result of NOAA’s actions. The article notes the act enables NOAA to “address IUU fishing in relevant international agreements.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mustreadalaska.com