Detailed Summary

International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce specified laws concerning fisheries and fish products, including the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, and any other similar law designated by the Secretary. Sets civil and criminal penalties for violations.

Revises specified Acts regarding one or more of the following: (1) enforcement of those Acts under this Act; (2) false labeling or identification of fish or fish products; (3) refusing, resisting, or interfering with various enforcement activities; (4) civil or criminal penalties or forfeiture; (5) unlawful activities; and (6) a rule to implement conservation measures.

Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to take a variety of steps regarding illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing (IUUF) or bycatch of a protected living marine resource.

Requires, subject to appropriations, establishment of an International Fisheries Enforcement Program in the Office of Law Enforcement of the National Marine Fisheries Service to detect and investigate IUUF and to enforce this Act. Requires, on request, that the intelligence community collect information on IUUF outside the United States about individuals who are not United States persons.

Authorizes establishment of an international cooperation and assistance program, including grants, to support international capacity building.

Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to authorize information disclosure to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, international fishery management organizations, or arrangements made under an international fishery agreement.

Amends the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act to remove a provision making a high seas fishing permit valid for five years and to modify conditions that void a permit.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/17/2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1028.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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