What exactly does the amendment say? Will their wages be paid, if they are illegally held in foreign ports, or legal seizures, as well (can't imagine the latter). If it indeed is the former, than this may provide commercial fishermen some protection from illegal seizures conducted for whatever reasons. The first reason that comes to mind is if the U.S. seizes foreign fishing vessels for illegal fishing in U.S. waters. Or illegal fishing in the high seas (drift nets) in which we have agreements with other countries. Or the sometimes nasty political stuff going on between U.S. and Canadian salmon fisheries--interceptions. The foreign nation may do the same to our vessels in retribution or to provide political leverage to get their vessels released.

In this sense, this amendment may ultimately provide protection to our fish resources, if foreign nations know that the seizure of our vessels won't have as great of economic consequences to the fishing industry.