Fifth Meeting of the PSMA Parties opens in Ecuador
Manta – Delegates from around the world together with representatives of intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations are this week meeting in Manta, Ecuador, for the Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (PSMA). The meeting (21 – 25 April) is being hosted by the Government of Ecuador.
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 82 Parties representing 108 States. More Parties are expected to adhere in 2025. Currently, more than 2 out of every 3 coastal States around the world are Party to the Agreement.
The Meeting of the Parties is a biennial forum to discuss and take decisions on the implementation of the Agreement.
“At FAO, we are proud to witness the commitment of countries to the Blue Transformation. Through the establishment of clear goals, public policies, and scientific research, we are confident that the objectives set for the fisheries sector can be achieved”, Gherda Barreto, FAO Representative in Ecuador said during the opening of the Fifth Meeting of the Parties.
Ms Mariella Ivanova Cereceda Jalil, Fifth Meeting of the Parties Chairperson and Ecuador Vice Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries said “only by acting in a coordinated manner can we close the door to illegal activity, protect our fishing resources, and ensure that marine resources benefit our communities today and future generations”.
Matthew Camilleri, Technical Secretary to the PSMA, described the Meetings of the Parties as the workbench for Parties to take decisions on further strengthening the implementation and effectiveness of the Agreement in achieving its objectives at a global level. The strong commitment by so many port States around the world to eradicate IUU fishing through the Agreement is very evident as they come together to safeguard the sustainability of fisheries into the future.
During this week, the Fifth Meeting of the Parties is expected to address key issues including reviewing the implementation and effectiveness of the Agreement and discuss ways to monitor it; revisit the ‘Bali Strategy’ on improving the effectiveness of the Agreement, adopted by the Parties at the previous Meeting of the Parties; the exchange of information between States, in particular between Parties, with a view to keep vessels suspected in engaging in IUU fishing away from ports; and other aspects related to the functioning of the Agreement.
The Fifth Meeting of the Parties is co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Korea.