Senate lawmakers will probe federal efforts this week to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in U.S. waters.
Witnesses called to testify before a Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee Thursday will offer perspectives on how encroachment on U.S. fishing grounds by rival countries like China and Russia, as well as imports of illegally harvested seafood by foreign fleets, is undermining the nation’s $321 billion fishing economy.
“Foreign illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing … ignore basic seafood harvest rules and best practices, and ravage fish stocks without regard for any other users or future generations,” Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries, which will host the hearing, said in a statement.
The hearing, titled “Finding Nemo’s Future: Conflicts Over Ocean Resources,” will also evaluate current legislative authorities to counter illegal fishing from U.S. waters and the efficacy of international treaties aimed at reducing such activities.
