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A group of bipartisan senators, including Katie Britt, R-Ala.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Chairman of the Commerce Committee; Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., have introduced the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act. This legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a standard methodology to identify the country of origin for red snapper and certain tuna species imported into the United States.
The proposed law seeks to leverage advancements in technology to chemically test and determine the geographic origin of fish. While such testing exists for other foods, no reliable field test currently exists for red snapper and tuna. The bill aims to create a portable field test kit, enabling federal and state law enforcement to identify the origins of fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper and tuna before it enters the U.S. market.
“Cartel-backed poachers need to face consequences for their illicit activities in the Gulf of America,” said Senator Britt. “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. Senator Cruz’s and my Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act will help protect Alabama’s fishermen. This is yet another message to Mexico that illegal actions cannot and will not stand.”
The issue of illegal fishing has significantly impacted Gulf Coast fisheries. Mexican fishermen, using small boats known as “lanchas,” frequently cross into U.S. waters to catch red snapper illegally. These fish are either sold in Mexico or mixed with legally caught snapper and exported to the U.S., undermining American fishing operations.
“Cartels and other criminal entities are illegally catching, importing, and selling red snapper and tuna to unwitting consumers then using such profits to fund other illicit activities like drug smuggling and human trafficking,” Senator Cruz stated. “I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to support U.S. fishermen, and I am hopeful Congress will act quickly to stop these dangerous criminal gangs.”
Red snapper, a highly profitable and well-managed fish in the Gulf of Mexico, has been a significant economic driver for Alabama and the broader Gulf region. According to Senator Tuberville, illegal fishing activities not only harm the domestic fishing industry but also contribute to funding cartels involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking.
“Alabama lands 34 percent of all recreationally caught red snapper in the Gulf,” said Senator Tuberville. “Unfortunately, our domestic red snapper industry is being undermined by Mexican fishermen who are illegally catching American snapper in the Gulf, smuggling them into Mexico, and then reselling the same fish back to American consumers. In addition to taking business away from Alabama’s fishermen, many of the profits from these illegal fishing operations are funding the cartels. I’m proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act to stop illegal red snapper from flooding our markets and bankrupting our great fishermen.”
The legislation builds on efforts made during the 118th Congress, when similar measures passed the Senate Commerce Committee in July. Lawmakers hope that the bipartisan support for this initiative will expedite its passage through Congress.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing activities, including those detailed in this legislation, violate both national and international regulations. As cartels increasingly use illegal fishing as a profitable enterprise alongside drug and human trafficking, senators assert the need for immediate action to curb these activities and protect U.S. fishermen.
The bill underscores the importance of strengthening enforcement measures to safeguard American waters, fisheries, and the livelihoods of law-abiding fishermen.
