FAO experts carry out preliminary assessments on the implementation of the PSMA in Sierra Leone and Liberia
Workshops on the implementation of the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, were held in Freetown, Sierra Leone and Monrovia, Liberia from 9-13 and 16-20 September 2019, respectively.
The workshops conducted a needs assessment of Sierra Leone’s and Liberia’s capacities to implement the PSMA, complementary international instruments and regional mechanisms, and were financed by the government of Japan.
Participants were guided through a focused, introspective exercise where they assessed their national provisions, identifying gaps and agreeing on actions to recommend in order to address those gaps, identifying the relevant authorities to act, external support required and agreeing on a tentative timeframe.
The results of the workshops will be drawn up into National Strategy and Action Plans by FAO, and delivered to the respective countries as a basis for driving next activities.
These initiatives fall under FAO’s Global Programme to support the implementation of the PSMA and complementary international instruments, which is providing capacity development support to over 40 countries worldwide to implement the PSMA and complementary international instruments.