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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) set up a training hub in the Republic of Korea from where, from October 2024, it is providing up to sixteen courses under a global training programme to assist developing countries in complying with the requirements of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) and complementary international instruments that support sustainable fisheries. 

Through this hub, supported by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Pukyong National University, and the Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Center, different fisheries professionals from countries in Asia and the Pacific will, in the next three years, travel to Busan to benefit from a variety of training opportunities provided by FAO and collaborating institutions.

The PSMA, which entered into force in 2016, is the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It is also the Agreement with the highest rate of adherence so far of all international fisheries and ocean instruments, with 79 Parties representing 105 States. The Republic of Korea became a Party to the PSMA in 2016.

In order to assist countries to improve their capacity to carry out their responsibilities, FAO developed a global programme which provides, amongst others, international technical assistance and training. To date, this FAO global programme has supported 51 States with funding of almost USD 34.3 million, with the support of 9 resource partners including the Republic of Korea.

The financial support from the Republic of Korea has made it possible for FAO to deliver courses at the PSMA training hub in Busan together with up to 11 additional courses in the next three years, in other training facilities elsewhere. The course modalities range from international fisheries law, PSMA inspection training, enforcement, and monitoring, control and surveillance. The first training course delivered in Busan is the fifth edition of the FAO international course on fisheries port inspections in support of the Agreement on Port State Measures, between 21 October – 8 November 2024.

During the launch of the training hub, the Deputy Minister for Fisheries of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Hyun-tae Kim, said that “Busan is one of the most visited ports by fishing and fishing-related vessels. Therefore, it is very timely and meaningful to launch a PSMA training hub in Busan.”

The FAO Representative, Mr Shengyao Tang, added that “training is the core of capacity development, and this intensive fisheries training initiative will greatly strengthen Asia-Pacific countries’ capacities in implementing the PSMA and fighting IUU fishing.”

The launch of the new PSMA training hub took place during the opening session of the Second meeting of the PSMA Strategy ad hoc Working Group. During the week 21 – 25 October, Parties and non-parties to the PSMA are looking at aspects related to the implementation and effectiveness of the Agreement and are discussing initiatives to be agreed upon. During the same week, PSMA Parties and non-parties are discussing funding matters related to capacity development requirements of developing States, in the Fifth meeting of the Part 6 Working Group. Both meetings are hosted by the Republic of Korea.