Rep. Chris Smith announced on April 14 that he will co-chair a Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing titled “Dark Nets, Illicit Labor—Confronting China’s IUU Fishing and Seafood Supply Chain” scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The hearing will address concerns about the People’s Republic of China’s use of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and related human rights issues in the seafood supply chain. The commission aims to examine how these activities threaten maritime security, distort global seafood markets, harm U.S. economic interests, and involve forced labor.
According to the announcement, this is the CECC’s second hearing focused on China’s fishing practices in less than three years. Witnesses set to testify include Ian Urbina of The Outlaw Ocean Project; Rear Admiral Scott Clendenin (Ret.), owner of Dog Zebra Solutions; and Dean A. Pinkert, former Vice Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Smith has served in the U.S. Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th District since 1981 according to official records. He replaced Frank Thompson in Congress that year as reported by congressional history. Smith was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and currently resides in Manchester Township according to local news sources. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 as noted by his alma mater.
The commission said it will also explore allegations regarding forced labor involving Uyghur and North Korean workers within Chinese seafood processing facilities and distant-water fishing vessels.
Looking ahead, the CECC plans to livestream the proceedings for public viewing through its YouTube channel.
