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Senator Raises Gulf Red‑Snapper Smuggling, Urges Anti‑IUU Cooperation in 2026 Review

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions · February 13, 2026

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Summary

Senator Cassidy told the committee that seized red snapper volumes rose about 30% last year and that the Coast Guard intercepts roughly one in five incursions, and he urged that the 2026 review incorporate anti‑IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing cooperation with Mexico; a witness said he did not have enough information to answer.

Senator Cassidy told the committee that Mexican vessels were "illegally harvest[ing] red snapper from US waters," citing a letter to NOAA that he said shows seized red snapper volumes "rose almost 30% last year" and that Department of Homeland Security records show the Coast Guard interdicts "1 in 5 detected incursions."

Cassidy asked whether NOAA should use its authority to prevent illegally harvested products from accessing U.S. markets and whether the pending 2026 trilateral review should incorporate anti‑IUU fishing cooperation with Mexico. "Do you agree that [agencies] should prevent illegally harvested products from accessing US markets?" he asked the witnesses.

Mr. Vanderschaef responded, "I don't have enough information," and declined to provide a substantive answer during the hearing. Chairman Brady said he was "not as familiar with the issue" but agreed the review would be an opportunity to raise the matter with the ambassador and administration.

The committee did not vote or adopt any directive on fisheries enforcement in the hearing. Witnesses and committee leaders said the review process would be the appropriate venue to gather more information and pursue cooperation with Mexican authorities if warranted.