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The Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas (The Compliance Agreement), aims to enhance the role of flag States and ensure that a State strengthens its control over its vessels to ensure compliance with international conservation and management measures.

It notes the special responsibility of flag States to ensure that none of their vessels are fishing on the high seas unless authorized, and that they can effectively exercise their responsibilities to ensure their vessels comply with international measures.

The Compliance Agreement also seeks to prevent the “re-flagging” of vessels fishing on the high seas under the flags of States that are unable or unwilling to enforce international fisheries conservation and management measures.

The maintenance of records of fishing vessels, international cooperation, and enforcement are covered extensively by the provisions of the Agreement.

The Compliance Agreement was approved by the FAO Conference at its 27th session in November 1993 and entered into force on 24 April 2003, after the twenty-fifth instrument of acceptance was deposited with the FAO Director-General.

The status of The Compliance Agreement is available here and the Agreement itself is available here.