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4.110. In recent years, the United States has worked domestically and internationally to promote sustainable fisheries. It has improved domestic management schemes to prevent overfishing and promoted sustainable fishing. (...). The United States joined the Port State Measures Agreement in 2016 and has taken other measures to combat IUU fishing. Some examples include the establishment of the Interagency Working Group on IUU fishing under the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement (SAFE) Act [105], the inclusion in FTAs of provisions to deal with IUU fishing, the use of Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements to cooperate with foreign customs administrations in combating IUU fishing, and the implementation of SIMP, a traceability program.
[105] The Maritime SAFE Act, passed in 2019, calls for the establishment of an interagency working group to strengthen coordination on maritime security and combat IUU fishing.

4.111. Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) was implemented on 1 January 2018 and aims to deter IUU fish and fish products and misrepresented seafood from entering U.S. commerce and to support the identification of such products while complementing existing NMFS traceability programs for imported seafood products. SIMP requirements apply to 13 single species and species groups that were determined to be the most vulnerable.[106] These species are some of the most popular fish products, thus SIMP covers about half of all U.S. seafood imports. NMFS developed SIMP under the constraint that lawful trade should not be stopped and the volume of imports is too large to inspect every shipment; however, it is possible to prohibit or stop the importation of IUU fish shipments pursuant to the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). (...)
[106] Since inception it has applied to abalone, Atlantic cod, blue crab (Atlantic), dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi), grouper, king crab (red), Pacific cod, red snapper, sea cucumber, sharks, shrimp, swordfish, and tuna (Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, Yellowfin, and Bluefin); however, for the initial period until 31 December 2018, there was a stay on the implementation for abalone and shrimp.

4.113. The USMCA [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement] contains provisions on fisheries, marine conservation, and IUU fishing, including articles on IUU fishing, sustainable fisheries management, and conservation of marine species. As part of USMCA implementation, USD 8 million was allocated to NOAA to combat IUU fishing and enhance the implementation of the SIMP.

4.114. E.O. 13921 of 7 May 2020, known as the Seafood Competitiveness Executive Order, made several changes with the aim of improving the competitiveness of the U.S. seafood industry. [111] The main action points included: (i) removing barriers to U.S. fishing, to this end the Order instructed the USDOC to prepare a prioritized list of recommended actions to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production within sustainable fisheries, including a proposal for initiating each recommended action within one year of the date of the order; (ii) combating IUU fishing; (...). As at March 2022, NOAA had identified potential areas in federal waters off of southern California and the Gulf of Mexico to establish the first two AOAs, and was developing an Environmental Impact Statement for each region to identify the specific areas to be included in each AOA.
[111] The Order stated that it is "the policy of the Federal Government to: (...); (b) combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; (...); (e) safeguard [U.S.] communities and maintain a healthy aquatic environment; (...)

4.117. The United States manages fisheries stocks and combats overfishing through the MSA, which is its long-standing and main legislation on fisheries management. There have been several significant amendments or additions to the MSA including the Sustainable Fisheries Act, (...)

Table 4.12 Key fisheries legislation, 2022
Legislation/Reference - Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Overview - Primary law on fisheries management, i.e. preventing overfishing

Table 4.12 Key fisheries legislation, 2022
Legislation/Reference - High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (P.L. 102-582)
Overview - Addresses IUU fishing

Table 4.12 Key fisheries legislation, 2022
Legislation/Reference - Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544
Overview - Prevents extinction of endangered species

Table 4.12 Key fisheries legislation, 2022
Legislation/Reference - Marine Mammal Protection Act (P.L. 92-522)
Overview - Establishes protections to protect marine mammals

Table 4.12 Key fisheries legislation, 2022
Legislation/Reference - National Environmental Policy Act (P.L. 91 190)
Overview - Environmental impacts assessment