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Nigeria has become the latest country to adhere to the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (PSMA), bringing the total number of Parties to the PSMA to 73.

Nigeria is thus the 27th State from Africa to become a Party to the PSMA, thirty days after the deposit of its instrument of adherence. By means of its 73 Parties, the PSMA is now in force in 99 actual States. The European Union, with its 27 Member States, is considered one Party to the Agreement.

The PSMA, which entered into force in 2016, is the first legally-binding international instrument to target the global problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. By establishing minimum requirements for States to follow, it is considered the most cost-effective way to combat IUU fishing and block fish caught through such means from accessing the markets.

FAO encourages remaining States to become a Party to the PSMA by depositing their instrument of accession with the FAO Director-General. For States or regional economic integration organizations that are already signatory to the PSMA, the instrument to be deposited could be that of ratification, acceptance, or approval.

FAO stands ready to provide support as required through [email protected].