Senators Address Illegal Chinese Fishing Practices
Last Thursday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt from Alabama signed a letter aimed at the U.S. Department of Commerce, specifically directed to Howard Lutnick. The message calls for action against illegal fishing practices by Chinese boats.
In collaboration with another senator from Florida, the letter highlights concerns that Chinese fishermen—significant seafood suppliers to the U.S.—are involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which adversely affects the American seafood industry.
The letter references a report from the U.S. International Trade Commission in 2021, which stated that nearly 11% of U.S. seafood imports in 2019 were linked to IUU fishing activities. Additionally, it notes a 2017 survey by a nonprofit organization indicating that IUU fisheries can generate global profits estimated between $15.5 and $36.4 billion annually.
In their correspondence to Lutnick, the two senators urged decisive action, suggesting the imposition of strict sanctions on seafood from communist regimes like China and calling for the full enforcement of the High Seas Drift Net Fisheries Moratorium Act.
“IUU fishing isn’t just about the fish; it’s an attack on our economy, our values, and the rule of law,” the senators assert. They argue that the presence of Chinese IUU fishermen is overwhelming in U.S. markets.
Britt articulated serious concerns regarding the human rights violations associated with Chinese fishing operations, such as forced and child labor reportedly involving persecuted groups like Uyghur Muslims and individuals from North Korea. The senator emphasized that these practices harm marine ecosystems and undermine legitimate American businesses, leading to economic distress for U.S. fishermen and uncertainty for families reliant on ethically sourced seafood.
Additionally, the letter references a 2023 article from Politico detailing how fish processing plants in China have used forced labor from North Korean and Uyghur workers. This situation contravenes the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act of 2021, which mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection block imports associated with forced labor practices in New Jiang Province. There are also violations stemming from the 2017 sanctions against North Korean labor.
The senators also pointed out environmental damage caused by IUU fishing as noted in a study from the U.S. Security Project, which highlighted national security concerns related to these activities.
They criticized the Biden administration’s handling of laws intended to restrict access to U.S. ports for certain fishing vessels, labeling their efforts as inadequate. The senators feel there should be a more proactive approach to managing these imports.
“We need to take meaningful steps and hold accountable those responsible for these infractions,” the letter concluded. They stressed that all seafood imports from China and similar nations should be scrutinized more closely.
Britt’s office also mentioned the “Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act,” aimed at combating IUU activities linked to Mexican fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, an initiative led by Senator Ted Cruz. This legislative effort involves collaborating with other senators to ensure the tracking of red snapper and tuna imports’ origins, a process that is currently awaiting final approval from the House committee.
Overall, the senators’ letter underscores a broader push for stricter enforcement against illegal fishing practices that not only impact the economy but also risk violating human rights standards.
