Wicker’s bipartisan bill protects national security by fighting illegal fishing

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) last week introduced a bipartisan bill to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that threatens the national security of the United States.

Sen. Wicker on May 1 sponsored the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement (SAFE) Act, S. 1269, with U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), which also would prevent the illegal trade of seafood and seafood products, among other purposes, according to the congressional record.

“The Maritime SAFE Act would give federal agencies greater tools to protect maritime security, lawful fishing and the global seafood supply chain,” Sen. Wicker said on Wednesday.

Sen. Wicker pointed out that bad actors involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing also have been known to conduct other illicit activities, including weapons, drugs and human trafficking.

“We cannot let illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing jeopardize the livelihoods of America’s honest fishermen or fund other criminal activities,” said Sen. Wicker, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

If enacted, the senator said the bill would authorize the creation of an interagency working group that would provide federal agencies with a coordinated framework for effectively stopping IUU fishing.

Additionally, the legislation would authorize numerous activities among agencies, such as law enforcement and port security capacity building; bolstering transparency and traceability in the seafood supply chain; and encouraging technology use and improved information sharing across all involved stakeholders.

S. 1269 has been referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for consideration.