GOP Lawmakers Try to Stop Illegal Poaching, Introduce 'Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act'

U.S. Representatives Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Katie Britt (R-AL) recently introduced the Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act. According to their statement, the bill would “require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper imported into the United States.”

The bill would develop a test kit for Coast Guard members so that they could track the origins of where the fish are caught, thus preventing the U.S. from buying and selling smuggled and illegally poached fish.

“Cartel-backed criminal entities are poaching red snapper in American waters and importing it for unwitting consumers to buy, while the profits help fund other illicit activities like drug smuggling and human trafficking. We can crack down on illegal fishing by dangerous criminal gangs with new technology that can identify the geographic origin of red snapper.,” stated Se. Cruz regarding the bill.

Cruz continued, “I am glad to join my colleagues, Senators Tuberville and Britt, in introducing this common-sense legislation and I am hopeful our Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act will quickly become law to protect the livelihoods of Texas fishermen.”

Sen. Tuberville gave similar statements to Cruz as he called for the protection of the fish against illegal poaching.

“Alabama lands 34 percent of all recreationally caught Red Snapper in the Gulf. Unfortunately, our domestic Red Snapper industry is being undermined by Mexican fishermen who are illegally catching these fish in the Gulf, smuggling them into Mexico, and then reselling the same fish back to Americans,” said the current Alabama senator.

“In addition to taking business away from Alabamian fishermen, many of the profits from these illegal fishing operations are funding the cartels. I’m proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing the Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement Act to stop illegal Red Snapper from flooding our markets and bankrupting our great fishermen,” concluded Tuberville. 

Sen. Britt rounded off the comments by attempting to cement her stance against illegal poaching as well as protecting U.S. fishermen.

“I will always fight to protect our incredible U.S. fishermen and food producers. Red snapper is a core component of Coastal Alabama’s economy. As I continue to fight to empower the State of Alabama to manage our own reef fisheries, it’s also vital to combat malicious, illegal activity by cartel-backed poachers who are endangering the livelihoods of hardworking Americans and encroaching on our territorial sovereignty,” said Britt.

The Alabama senator continued, “I raised this issue directly to the Mexican government last year, and I’m proud to now join my colleagues in bringing forward this commonsense legislation to ensure fairness for U.S. fishermen and families.”

It will be interesting to see if the bill moves forward and is able to help fishermen in the region.