Congress·Reported·S. 1369

Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025

Senate Committee Advances Bill to Sanction Foreign Vessels and Companies Behind Illegal Fishing

Jan 29·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Part of: Congress Moves to Sanction Foreign Vessels for Illegal Fishing and Labor Abuses

This bill is one vehicle in a longer effort. See the full story across every version.View effort →

Next up: The Senate

The Senate must act next: a Senate floor vote.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

How we got here

This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.

Reintroduced
Reintroduced from S. 5552 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
S. 5552 (118th) →

Key Points

Gives the President the option to sanction foreign people, companies, or vessels tied to illegal fishing or trafficking in endangered species.
Possible penalties include freezing property tied to the U.S., blocking certain money and foreign-exchange deals, and cutting off loans from U.S. banks.
Foreign individuals linked to these activities could be denied U.S. visas or have visas revoked; foreign vessels could be turned away from U.S. ports.
Directs the State Department to push allies and international groups to use newer tech and cooperation to catch and hold violators accountable, with a focus on China’s role.
Requires briefings and yearly reports to Congress on progress, including how global efforts are working and what more the U.S. should do.

National Security Foreign PolicyEnergy Environment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works

The bill authorizes the President to revoke visas or deny entry to foreign individuals connected to illegal fishing or endangered species trafficking. This wouldn't affect most visa holders, but anyone with ties to entities involved in these activities — particularly those linked to Chinese fishing operations — could lose their ability to enter or stay in the United States.

ImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Broader Impacts

DomainScoreShort-termLong-termReversibilityConfidence

Score

Scores: -5 (harmful) to +5 (beneficial)Short-term: 0-2 yearsLong-term: 10-30 years

Milestones

4 milestones5 actions

Feb 10, 2026Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 322.

The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.

Feb 10, 2026Senate

Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Jan 29, 2026Senate

Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

Apr 9, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced in Senate

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Related News

3 articles

SeafoodSource·Feb 2

US Senate committee advances Protecting Global Fisheries Act

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Protecting Global Fisheries Act, which gives the president authority to sanction foreign persons or vessels involved in illegal fishing. The bill specifically targets China as a major perpetrator of IUU fishing violations.

Center

SeafoodSource·Apr 18, 2025

US lawmakers reintroduce bill tackling IUU fishing

Senators Tim Kaine and Bill Cassidy reintroduced the Protecting Global Fisheries Act to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The bill authorizes sanctions on foreign entities and requires regular briefings to Congress on enforcement strategies.

Center

Utah Policy·Jan 30

Curtis bills to protect alliances, combat China advance

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Protecting Global Fisheries Act, co-led by Senator John Curtis. The legislation authorizes targeted sanctions to counter illegal fishing, which the lawmakers say China systematically engages in to the detriment of marine ecosystems.

Center Right

No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.