Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) has reintroduced the Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025, aiming to strengthen protections for U.S. fisheries and coastal communities against illegal foreign fishing and economic harm from foreign actors.
The proposed legislation seeks to update the Magnuson-Stevens Act by allowing economic harm caused by foreign activity to be recognized as grounds for federal disaster declarations. This would enable the federal government to intervene when American fishing communities are threatened by unfair competition or market disruptions.
According to Congresswoman Mace, “South Carolina’s fishing industry is the backbone of our coastal economy and our way of life. For far too long, foreign actors have cheated the system with illegal fishing, forced labor, and this bill finally brings real accountability. It defends the livelihoods of hardworking American fishermen instead of leaving them to pay the price.”
The bill is particularly relevant for South Carolina’s coastal communities, where local fishermen have faced challenges from foreign competitors and alleged mislabeling of imported shrimp as “local.” South Carolina’s Lowcountry fisheries support thousands of jobs in various sectors including shrimping, processing, and marine services.
The legislation expands what qualifies as a fishery disaster by including market distortion by foreign producers, disruptions to sustainable harvests, and threats to operational or economic viability caused by international activities. The Secretary of Commerce would also be directed to consider evidence such as illegal or unregulated foreign fishing—including those using forced labor—predatory pricing from abroad, and subsidies that undercut U.S. seafood prices.
Industry leaders across multiple states expressed support for the bill:
“This is a common-sense bill that provides a critical support to our industry when we need it most. Our fishermen are some of the hardest working small business owners in the country, and they shouldn’t be forced out of business because of the actions of bad actors on the other side of the world. We wholeheartedly support Congresswoman Mace in her fight to get this bill passed and signed into law. To support this bill is to support the preservation and continuity of the American Dream,” said Rocky Magwood, President of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association.
“Fishermen are, by nature, a community that comes to the aid of anyone in trouble on the water. This bill isn’t a handout, but a lifeline for our industry when we find ourselves in stormy economic seas. It’s a matter of economic justice, and we appreciate Congresswoman Mace for her tireless efforts to support the American seafood industry,” said Bryan Jones, Vice President of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association.
“When we lose our fishing industry to unethically produced supply chains, we lose our food security. Representative Mace understands that supporting American fishermen in a crisis means protecting America’s ability to feed itself. We’re grateful she’s fighting for our food independence and the hardworking families that support coastal economies by sustainably harvesting wild-caught shrimp,” said John Williams, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
“No other U.S. fishery has suffered greater harm from having to compete in the U.S. market with illegal and unfairly traded imports than the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. NOAA needs to recognize that the failure to effectively enforce U.S. trade laws has enabled imports from IUU fisheries, through the abhorrent use of forced labor, and with the benefit of foreign government subsidies, to continue to enter our market placing our fishermen at a severe competitive disadvantage. It’s become a total disaster for our fishery. We really need help and thankfully Rep. Mace’s bill would provide it,” said Marty Scanlon, President of Blue Water Fishermen’s Association.
“Currently the only way fishermen and seafood support businesses can get disaster relief assistance is when there is a resource disaster…We need to protect American seafood food producers for people in United States or we will have no domestic food,” said Mike Merrifield from Southeastern Fisheries Association.
Other leaders highlighted how over-importation has affected domestic markets: “More shrimp was imported over last few years than this country can consume…This leaves wild-caught American shrimp industry very little market space at prices too low…” he added.
Support came from organizations representing regions across New England down through Texas: “For far too long domestic seafood producers have been harmed by anti-competitive practices…the Protect American Fisheries Act…is timely lifeline,” said Ryan Bradley (Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United).
“The Protect American Fisheries Act strengthens protections for U.S. fishermen against unfair foreign practices,” added Acy Cooper (Louisiana Shrimp Association).
Nancy Mace has served as representative for South Carolina’s 1st district since 2021 after replacing Joe Cunningham in Congress. Before joining Congress she served in South Carolina House between 2018–2020 as state legislator. Born at Fort Bragg in 1977 and now living in Charleston, she graduated with a BS from The Citadel in 1999.
The full text provides further details about how stakeholders believe expanding eligibility criteria could improve stability within domestic fisheries industries.
