Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) have introduced the bipartisan Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, aimed at curbing illegal fishing practices. The legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standardized methodology to identify the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States.
Currently, technology exists to chemically test and determine the geographic origin of various foods, but no such method is available for red snapper and tuna. The proposed bill seeks to develop a field test kit that would enable federal and state law enforcement officers to accurately determine whether these fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters. This measure would help prevent illegally caught red snapper and tuna from entering the U.S. market.
Senator Britt highlighted the impact of illegal fishing on Alabama’s economy, stating, “Red snapper is a core component of Coastal Alabama’s economy, and our hardworking fishermen and food producers deserve fairness when fishing in the Gulf. This legislation will help protect Alabama’s fishermen and send a strong message against illegal activities in the Gulf.”
Illegal fishing operations, particularly by Mexican fishermen using small boats known as “lanchas,” have been a persistent issue. These vessels cross the U.S.-Mexico maritime border to catch red snapper in American waters before returning to Mexico. Once there, the illegally caught fish are sold locally or mixed with legally caught fish and then exported to the United States. Such activities undermine U.S. seafood producers and create an unfair competitive landscape.
Senator Cruz emphasized the broader implications of the issue, stating, “Cartels and other criminal entities are illegally catching, importing, and selling red snapper and tuna, using these profits to fund illicit activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking. This bipartisan legislation is a necessary step in protecting American fishermen and consumers.”
Senator Tuberville echoed these concerns, noting that Alabama lands 34% of all recreationally caught red snapper in the Gulf. He stressed that illegal fishing operations not only impact Alabama’s fishing industry but also contribute to cartel financing.
The introduction of this bill follows a similar effort by Sens. Britt, Cruz, and Tuberville during the 118th Congress, which passed the Commerce Committee in July of last year. Lawmakers hope this renewed bipartisan push will lead to swift congressional action to bolster enforcement against illegal fishing and support the U.S. seafood industry.
