Commonwealth and G20 declarations point to the PSMA and other treaties as keys for the long-term sustainability of fisheries

Commonwealth countries consider the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) and other FAO international instruments as part of the solution to collectively improve the sustainability of fisheries.
In the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, adopted in Samoa at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last week, the Heads of Government of 56 Commonwealth States, representing a third of the world’s population, underlined the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and marine resources, and reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable ocean governance.
Under “Sustainable Fisheries”, which is one of six specific areas covered by the declaration, the 56 Heads of State collectively committed themselves to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through the promotion of the “full implementation of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures, the FAO Compliance Agreement, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries”. Other commitments to improve the sustainability of fisheries included enhancing transparency and traceability of fish and fishery products, in line with guidance provided by FAO.
The declaration by CHOGM follows an earlier declaration by Ministers representing agriculture and the fisheries and aquaculture sectors from G20 countries, who met in Brazil last month. The G20 declaration also underpinned the urgent need to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, calling for “the strengthening of the implementation of existing regional and international commitments including agreements such as the PSMA and promoting inclusive governance and management of fisheries” which the Ministers considered essential to ensuring long-term sustainable management of aquatic living resources.