Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act

The method is intended to help federal and state agencies fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud, starting with red snapper and certain tuna species.

What the law does ​

• Directs federal agencies to jointly develop a standard chemical-analysis method that meets law enforcement needs and minimizes processing time.
• Requires a field kit that one person can easily carry and, where practical, can test prepared seafood such as ceviche, sashimi, sushi, and poke.
• Requires pilot studies on red snapper and bigeye, yellowfin, and bluefin tuna.
• Requires a report to Congress within two years on the method, an implementation plan, and any impractical elements or possible alternatives.

Who it affects ​

• Federal and state agencies that enforce fishing, customs, and seafood-fraud laws.
• Seafood importers, sellers, processors, and businesses handling covered fish.
• Fishers and seafood supply chains associated with red snapper and covered tuna species.

Context ​

The initial pilot studies focus on red snapper and bigeye, yellowfin, and bluefin tuna.

Breakdown ​

Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act ​

This law directs federal officials to develop a standard, chemical-analysis method for identifying seafood’s country of origin. The method is intended to help federal and state agencies combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud, beginning with pilot studies on red snapper and certain tuna species.

Key takeaways

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology must jointly develop the methodology in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard.
• The methodology must meet law enforcement needs, minimize processing time, and use a field kit that one person can easily carry.
• To the extent practical, the method must be able to test prepared seafood, including ceviche, sashimi, sushi, and poke.
• Pilot studies must cover red snapper and bigeye, yellowfin, and bluefin tuna.
• Within two years of enactment, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology must report to Congress on the methodology and a plan for putting it into operation.
• If any part of the methodology is impractical, the report must explain why and assess whether more research or a nonchemical approach could work.