This bill amends federal law to strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing by allowing the Secretary of Commerce to identify and penalize nations that operate "open registry" or "flag of convenience" shipping systems. Open registries allow foreign vessels to register under a nation's flag without a genuine connection to that country, making it difficult to hold ship owners accountable for illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing activities. The bill targets countries that fail to effectively monitor and control these vessels, which often engage in high-seas fishing violations. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Commerce must update the regulatory definition of illegal fishing to align with existing maritime safety laws. The legislation protects U.S. fishermen by closing loopholes that allow foreign fishing operations to evade international fishing regulations and compete unfairly in global waters.
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