The Act establishes a standardized methodology, based on chemical analysis, to identify the country of origin of seafood, specifically targeting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. It includes pilot studies on red snapper and tuna, involves key agency leadership, and requires a report to Congress within 2 years. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense is authorized to provide maritime technical assistance to combat illegal fishing and transnational organized crime. This assistance may include observers, shipriders, specialized personnel, remote sensing, and operational intelligence, and applies to various deployments and operations involving the United States Coast Guard and international partners.
Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to jointly develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing). It also authorizes technical assistance to other countries to help combat IUU fishing and transnational organized crime.
NOAA and NIST must consult with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard in developing the methodology, which must use chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood. The methodology must be consistent with the needs of federal and state law enforcement agencies in combating IUU fishing. The methodology must also include a portable field kit and, to the extent practicable, be appropriate for testing prepared food (including raw preparations of seafood such as sushi). The agencies must conduct pilot studies of the methodology on red snapper and tuna.
Within two years after the bill's enactment, NIST must report to Congress regarding the methodology and a plan for operationalizing it. The report must explain any aspects of its methodology that are impracticable, whether additional research would make the methodology practicable, and whether an alternate approach might be practicable.
The bill also authorizes the Department of Defense to use operation and maintenance funds to provide technical assistance to maritime forces of other countries to help combat IUU fishing and transnational organized crime (e.g., by providing observers or data analysis).
