Contact Congress about S. 688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025

The bill would block seafood from blacklisted foreign vessels from entering the United States. It would also let the U.S. sanction people and companies tied to illegal fishing, forced labor, or trade in endangered fish.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 is a House bill awaiting final action. The latest recorded action: Held at the desk.

Latest action on S. 688: Held at the desk.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects foreign fishing vessels, seafood companies, vessel owners, and U.S. businesses that import seafood. Foreign vessels tied to illegal fishing or forced labor could lose access to U.S. ports, services, markets, and the financial system. U.S. importers, processors, and retailers may need stronger checks on where seafood came from. U.S. fishers could face less unfair competition from seafood caught outside the rules.

Why this matters: Illegal fishing can damage fish populations, hurt ocean ecosystems, and undercut people who follow the rules. Forced labor in fishing also creates serious human rights concerns. This bill tries to reduce demand for seafood caught through those practices by cutting off access to U.S. markets, ports, and financial tools. Its real effect would depend on funding, agency follow-through, and cooperation from other countries.

Key provisions in S. 688

• NOAA and other agencies would create a public blacklist for foreign fishing vessels, fleets, and real owners. The list would cover links to illegal fishing or related abuses.
• The government must warn a vessel’s real owner before adding it to the blacklist. The owner would get 90 days to respond.
• Blacklisted foreign vessels could not use U.S. ports or most services in U.S. waters. U.S. vessels could help them only in emergencies or for enforcement.
• Seafood from blacklisted vessels could not enter the United States. That includes seafood they caught, processed, or transported, and customs officials would enforce the ban.
• The government could seize blacklisted foreign vessels and their cargo. Importers would be protected if they bought the seafood without knowing it was tied to illegal fishing.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 688

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 688

What is S. 688?

The bill would block seafood from blacklisted foreign vessels from entering the United States. It would also let the U.S. sanction people and companies tied to illegal fishing, forced labor, or trade in endangered fish.

How do I support or oppose S. 688?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 688?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 688 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.