Sec. 103. Assistance by Federal agencies to improve law enforcement within priority regions and priority flag states
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/bill/115/s/3400/is/section-103A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of State, in collaboration with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, if merited, shall provide assistance, as appropriate, in accordance with this section. The officials referred to in subsection
(a)shall provide assistance, as appropriate, to countries in priority regions and priority flag states to improve the effectiveness of IUU fishing enforcement, with clear and measurable targets and indicators of success, including— by assessing and using existing resources, enforcement tools, and legal authorities to coordinate efforts to combat IUU fishing with efforts to combat other illegal trade, including weapons, drugs, and human trafficking; by expanding existing IUU fishing enforcement training; by providing targeted, country- and region-specific training on combating IUU fishing; and by supporting increased effectiveness and transparency of the fisheries enforcement sectors of the governments of such countries. The officials referred to in subsection
(a)shall provide assistance, as appropriate, to countries in priority regions and priority flag states to implement programs related to port security and capacity for the purposes of preventing IUU fishing products from entering the global seafood market, including support for implementing the Port State Measures Agreement. The officials referred to in subsection (a), in collaboration with the governments of priority flag states and key countries within priority regions, shall design and implement programs in such countries, as appropriate, to increase the capacity of IUU fishing enforcement and customs and border security officers to improve their ability— to conduct effective investigations, including using law enforcement techniques such as undercover investigations and the development of informer networks and actionable intelligence; to conduct vessel boardings and inspections at sea and associated enforcement actions; to exercise existing shiprider agreements and to enter into and implement new shiprider agreements, as appropriate; to conduct vessel inspections at port and associated enforcement actions; to assess technology needs and promote the use of technology to improve monitoring, enforcement, and prosecution of IUU fishing; to conduct DNA-based and forensic identification of seafood used in trade; to conduct trainings on techniques, such as collecting electronic evidence and using computer forensics, for law enforcement personnel involved in complex investigations related to international matters, financial issues, and government corruption that include IUU fishing; to assess financial flows and the use of financial institutions to launder profits related to IUU fishing; and to conduct trainings on the legal mechanisms that can be used to prosecute those identified in the investigations as alleged perpetrators of IUU fishing and other associated crimes such as trafficking and forced labor. The officials referred to in subsection
(a)shall provide assistance, as appropriate, to key countries in priority regions and priority flag states in the form of training, equipment, and systems development to build capacity for information sharing related to maritime enforcement and port security.