China becomes Party to the PSMA
The People’s Republic of China is the latest FAO Member to become a Party to the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA).
The Agreement entered into force for the People’s Republic of China on 16 April 2025, 30 days after the deposit of its instrument of accession with the Director-General of FAO as the Depositary for the PSMA.
The latest adhesion to the PSMA now takes the number of PSMA Parties to 82. This includes the European Union which acts as one Party on behalf of its Member States. Effectively, the number of States that are now covered by the Agreement has risen to 108. The PSMA entered into force in 2016 with 25 Parties.
The PSMA is the most cost-effective means for States to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It sets minimum standards for Parties to follow to restrict fish caught through IUU fishing from entering the national or international markets.
FAO encourages remaining States to become a Party to the PSMA by depositing their instrument of accession, adherence or acceptance with the FAO Director-General. More information on how a State can become a Party is available here. FAO stands ready to provide support as required through [email protected].