Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to address the issue of illegal Chinese fishing in Caribbean and Latin American waters, Congressman Carlos A. Giménez and Rep. Scott Peters have introduced the bipartisan Caribbean and Latin America Maritime Security Initiative Act. This legislation aims to combat Communist China's Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices that threaten marine ecosystems, fishery stocks, and global food security.
Rep. Gimenez expressed concern over Communist China's continuous pillaging of the oceans and its disregard for the sovereignty of neighboring countries and allies through IUU fishing. He stated, "Communist China continues to pillage our oceans and undermine the sovereignty of our neighbors and allies by pursuing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in their territorial waters." Rep. Gimenez further emphasized the importance of protecting sensitive fisheries in South Florida and across the nation.
Rep. Peters, highlighting the significance of strong relationships with countries in Latin America and a well-regulated marketplace, explained, "Every day, San Diego benefits from a strong relationship with countries throughout Latin America and a vibrant commercial fishing industry that benefits from a well-regulated and rules-based marketplace." He stressed the need to prioritize America's relationships with states in the Caribbean and Latin America to ensure the protection of ecosystems, food supply, political ties, and the international trade system.
The legislation introduced by Reps. Gimenez and Peters has garnered appreciation from environmental organizations. Tom Cors, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs at The Nature Conservancy, commended their leadership in combatting illegal fishing in Latin America and the Caribbean. Cors emphasized that unchecked IUU fishing threatens critical ecosystems and undermines regional efforts to conserve marine species. He highlighted the importance of expanding the use of electronic monitoring and other technologies to verify compliance with fishery regulations.
This is not the first time Reps. Peters and Gimenez have taken action to address the issue of IUU fishing. In October 2023, they joined 12 bipartisan lawmakers in a letter urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to take immediate action against IUU fishing.
The Caribbean and Latin America Maritime Security Initiative Act aims to strengthen the commitment to neighboring countries and protect sensitive fisheries. By addressing the threat posed by IUU fishing, this legislation seeks to ensure the national and economic security of the United States and its regional partners, while also upholding international law.
As the bill progresses, Congress will consider this proposal, taking into account the importance of sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine species in the region.
Alerts Sign-up