The Protect American Fisheries Act of 2024 amends federal fisheries law to allow the government to declare a fishery disaster based on economic causes, not just environmental or natural disasters. Under this bill, the Secretary of Commerce can declare an economic fishery disaster when foreign persons or entities engage in activities that distort markets, disrupt sustainable fishing, or harm the economic viability of American fisheries. The legislation defines economic causes to include illegal fishing, predatory pricing by foreign competitors, and foreign subsidies that artificially lower seafood prices in U.S. and export markets. The bill applies to foreign individuals, governments, corporations, and even U.S. companies controlled by foreign interests. By expanding disaster declarations to cover economic harm, the bill aims to help American fishing communities access federal assistance when they face competition from foreign economic practices rather than only environmental crises.
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