Senator asked admin. to fight anti-consumer practice, has introduced legislation to protect U.S. industry from foreign fish fraud

 

WASHINGTON (June 17, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today praised the announcement by the Obama administration that they would develop a comprehensive program to fight illegal fishing, seafood fraud, and other illegal fishing practices. In January, Senator Markey along with colleague Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) asked President Barack Obama to direct federal agencies to better coordinate their efforts to fight seafood fraud. Senator Markey has also introduced legislation to battle fish fraud by requiring that fish be traceable from boat to table, and more information given to consumers about their seafood. 

In February, Senator Markey chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Port State Measures Agreement, an international agreement aimed at combatting illegal fishing, along with three other fisheries-related treaties. The Senate ratified these treaties in April.  

 

Below is the statement of Senator Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee and chair of the Foreign Relations subcommittee that handles fishing issues:

 

“Foreign fish fraudsters and illegal fishing don’t just cheat customers at seafood restaurants, they take jobs away from honest, hard-working fishermen in Massachusetts and along our thousands of miles of shoreline. I’ve been pushing to end seafood fraud for years, and I am thrilled that the Obama administration is taking action to protect our fishermen and their way of life.”