Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators, including Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, Tim Kaine from Virginia, John Curtis from Utah, and Martin Heinrich from New Mexico, have put forward the Protecting Global Fisheries Act. This legislation targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with a spotlight on the activities of Chinese fishing operations. These practices disrupt international trade and pose risks to maritime security, ecosystems, and both food and economic stability. Forced labor, human trafficking, and unsafe working conditions are among the serious issues linked to IUU fishing. The bill aims to curb these activities that impact the U.S., a key player in global seafood markets, by fostering fair competition for law-abiding fishermen.

Senator Cassidy highlighted the threat to local industry, stating, “Louisiana produces the best seafood in the world. Competitors abroad outprice us with illegal practices. It hurts our jobs, economy, and national security. Let’s protect our way of life.”

IUU fishing is defined by violations of fishing laws, such as fishing without proper licensing, failure to report catches, using banned fishing gear, and unauthorized fish transfers to cargo vessels. The Western Hemisphere faces significant challenges from these activities, resulting in an estimated $2.7 billion in lost revenue yearly. Illegal fishing in Latin America represents over 20 percent of the total catches, with Chinese vessels largely contributing to this increase.