Red Snapper and Tuna Country of Origin Testing Bill Passes Senate
The Senate passed a bill that directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a methodology to identify the country of origin of imported red snapper and some tuna species. The goal is for CBP to be able to confiscate illegally caught red snapper and tuna at the time of import.
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The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act is a bipartisan bill from Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and the two from Alabama, both Republican.
"Hardworking Texas fishermen in the Gulf of America are being undercut by cartel-backed entities who illegally catch and smuggle red snapper into U.S. markets, using profits to fund other illicit activities. I am proud to lead the fight on this bipartisan legislation to crack down on these corrupt operations, stand up for Texas fishermen, and protect our communities. Now, it’s time for the House to act and help us put an end to this illegality," Cruz said in a July 14 press release.
The concern is that Mexican fishermen catch red snapper in U.S. waters, then export the haul across land borders to the U.S.