Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is an insidious problem which causes significant harm to the global economy and the marine environment. Its effects can be severe, particularly for developing coastal States and non-high income Small Island Developing States dependent on fisheries. Countries unable to fulfil international obligations for fisheries management and governance also risk being unable to have their fisheries products enter international markets.
In 2007, FAO’s Committee on Fisheries recognized the need for a legally binding instrument on Port State Measures (PSMs) to combat IUU fishing. In 2009, the FAO Conference approved the Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (PSMA).
The PSMA aims to prevent fish caught through IUU fishing from entering national and international markets by preventing the entry into and use of ports by foreign vessels engaged, or believed to be engaged, in IUU fishing. The Agreement entered into force on 5 June 2016. As of January 2022, there were 70 Parties to the Agreement.[1]
The purpose of this workshop is to develop a national strategy and action plan to review and align, as appropriate, national policies, legislation and monitoring, control and surveillance systems and operations to the provisions set forth in the PSMA and complementary international instruments and regional mechanisms.
For more informartion, please contact [email protected]
[1] The updated status of Parties to the PSMA is available here.