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The FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) was the focus of a series of events taking place in Brazil this week as the country’s government sought to further familiarize itself with the benefits of the implementation of the Agreement and its contribution in supporting sustainable fisheries.

FAO Senior Fisheries Officer and Technical Secretary to the PSMA, Matthew Camilleri, addressed various national agencies attending a high-level event organized by the country’s authorities, which was also addressed by, amongst others, Rivetla Edipo Aruajo Cruz, Vice Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Luiz Nishimori, Federal Deputy and President of the Joint Parliamentary Front for Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Sergio Bustamante, from the FAO Representation office in Brazil.

Various agencies representing the navy, the environment, foreign affairs, labour, science and technology, maritime and fisheries, which are part of an Interministerial Commission for a Legal, Sustainable and Responsible Fisheries, attended and participated.

The high-level event was followed by a workshop, which addressed specific areas of interest of the country’s authorities including the international fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through the implementation of the PSMA.

The week also included a visit at the port of Cabedelo including meetings with port authorities and agencies related to port operations, about the requirements for implementation of port State measures.