This bill would strengthen U.S. efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing around the world by targeting the networks, supply chains, and facilitators that enable it. It is aimed at foreign fishing operations, seafood traffickers, and entities that move illicit catch into legitimate markets. The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, along with the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees for review of provisions within their jurisdictions. No cosponsors are listed so far.
What This Bill Does
- Targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing worldwide
- Referred to the House Natural Resources Committee
- Also sent to Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure
- No cosponsors listed
- No hearings or markups recorded yet
Who This Bill Affects
For a typical American, this bill would mainly matter through seafood supply chains rather than day-to-day life. It could make imported fish harder to launder into U.S. markets, which may improve conservation and level the playing field for lawful fishermen, but it can also raise compliance burdens for seafood importers, distributors, and retailers. Consumers may see modest benefits in traceability and market integrity, with some risk of slightly higher costs if enforcement adds expenses to the chain.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Domestic fishermen and seafood harvesters They argue illegal foreign fishing suppresses prices, steals market share, and rewards operators who ignore conservation rules. Stronger enforcement abroad can protect lawful harvesters and improve fairness in seafood markets.
- Conservation and marine resource advocates They see illegal fishing as a driver of overfishing, habitat damage, and weakened fisheries management. Targeting the sources of illegal catch can help rebuild fish stocks and support long-term ocean sustainability.
- Seafood importers seeking clean supply chains They often support clearer tracing and enforcement because it reduces fraud and gives reputable businesses a way to prove their products are legal. Better source controls can also reduce reputational and legal risk.
- Seafood importers and brokers facing new compliance costs They may worry that tougher sourcing rules will require more paperwork, audits, and delays at ports. Smaller businesses in particular can be burdened by added verification costs.
- Foreign fishing interests and trading partners They may argue that aggressive U.S. enforcement could be used to pressure overseas competitors or create trade friction. Some could view the bill as complicating market access without fully solving the underlying enforcement problem.
- Port operators and logistics companies They may be concerned that expanded inspections and documentation requirements could slow cargo movement. Even small delays can raise costs in tightly scheduled shipping networks.
Key Implications
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““combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing at its sources globally””
This points to a strategy that reaches beyond U.S. waters and tries to stop illegal catch before it enters commerce. In practice, that can mean more scrutiny of foreign harvesters, traders, and shipping links tied to seafood moving into U.S. markets.
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““Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources””
The bill is being reviewed by the committee most directly tied to fisheries and marine conservation policy. That suggests the measure is expected to address resource management as well as enforcement.
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““in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure””
Multiple committees are involved because the bill likely touches enforcement, international cooperation, and shipping or port operations. That breadth can broaden the bill’s reach but also complicate passage because several policy areas must align.
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““for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction””
Different parts of the bill will be examined by different committees based on subject matter. For real-world implementation, that means enforcement tools, diplomatic provisions, and transportation-related rules may be shaped separately before any final package advances.
Official Source & Bill Facts
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- Bill
- HR 9507
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Official title
- To combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing at its sources globally.
- Policy area
- Environment & Energy
- Latest action
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (June 29, 2026)
- Last updated
- June 30, 2026
Latest Status
June 29, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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