Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, Brian Schatz, Katie Britt, and Tommy Tuberville have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at combating illegal fishing operations affecting the red snapper and tuna markets in the United States. The proposed legislation, named the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, seeks to establish a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of these fish species imported into the U.S.

The bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a field test kit capable of determining whether red snapper and tuna were caught in U.S. or foreign waters. This tool would enable law enforcement to identify and confiscate illegally caught fish before they enter U.S. markets.

Senator Cruz highlighted the criminal activities linked to illegal fishing: "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 Schatz emphasized consumer protection: "Seafood that’s caught illegally or intentionally mislabeled rips off consumers and makes it harder for law-abiding U.S. fishermen to compete."

Senator Britt focused on local economic impacts: "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 Tuberville pointed out specific issues faced by Alabama's fishing industry: "Alabama lands 34 percent of all recreationally caught Red Snapper in the Gulf... many of the profits from these illegal fishing operations are funding the cartels."

The background information provided highlights that Mexican fishermen often cross into U.S. waters using small boats known as “lanchas” to catch red snapper illegally. These fish are then sold in Mexico or mixed with legally-caught fish before being exported back into the United States.

This legislative effort follows similar proposals made during the 118th Congress, which successfully passed through the Commerce Committee last year.