Bordallo’s IUU Fishing Bill Reported Out of Natural Resources Committee

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that H.R. 774, the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Act of 2015 has been favorably reported out of the Committee on Natural Resources. The measure passed by unanimous consent earlier today.  If enacted, the bill would enhance the enforcement authority of the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to regulate illegal fishing. The bill also increases capacity for inspection, identification, and monitoring of illegal foreign vessels, amends several international agreements to incorporate civil and criminal penalties, and broadens data sharing authority with foreign governments in order to identify and penalize nations that do not comply with fisheries management regulations. 

Today’s Committee action builds off progress on this legislation in the 113th Congress.  The same legislation was favorably reported out of the House Committee on Natural Resources on December 22, 2014 but was not able to be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives before the end of the 113th Congress.

“I thank my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee for their support and passage of H.R. 774,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing place significant burdens on legitimate fishermen and it damages our fishing industry. This bill will provide the Coast Guard and NOAA with important enforcement tools to combat IUU fishing and it will help to ensure that local fishermen compete on a level playing field.  Passage of the bill today reasserts American leadership in this important national security issue.  Other countries in the Asia-Pacific region like Palau and Papua New Guinea have already taken steps to address IUU fishing.  I am encouraged that we have taken action to provide the tools to curb these actions and to demonstrate U.S. leadership on this matter.  I will work with my colleagues to further advance this legislation in the House.”