100 States endorse FAO Agreement on Port State Measures – Global action to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing intensified as 100 states pledged to FAO agreement UN Food and Agriculture Organization on Port State Measures (PSMA).
The PSMA is the first binding international agreement specifically designed to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by denying port access and use to foreign vessels that engage in or support such fishing. Angola, Eritrea, Morocco and Nigeria are the latest countries to support the PSMA. Now 60 per cent of port states globally are committed to the agreement, which is a binding international instrument to combat IUU fishing.
“Increased consumer demand and the transformation of agri-food systems in fisheries and aquaculture have driven global seafood production to its all-time high, and there is widespread recognition of the need to step up the fight against IUU fishing,” said QU Dongyu , Director-General of FAO. “It is encouraging to see more states supporting the PSMA in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
It is estimated that one in five fish caught worldwide each year comes from IUU fishing, with devastating impacts on the sustainability of fisheries and the livelihoods of those who depend on them, as well as the conservation of marine ecosystems. IUU fishing undermines national, regional and global efforts to achieve sustainable fisheries and its elimination is critical to successfully achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“We have a responsibility to manage and use all aquatic resources sustainably,” said Manuel Barange, director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division. “We must work together to strengthen port controls and adequate information exchange through the implementation of the PSMA. This will help transform aquatic food systems and maximize their role as drivers of jobs, economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability.”
FAO recently launched the PSMA Global Information Exchange System (GIES), which collects and shares official compliance-related information with a focus on port inspection findings, actions taken, and port entry or refusal. With FAO’s Global Record of Fishing Vessel, Refrigerated Transport Vessel and Supply Vessel (Global Record), the platform supports States in their efforts to implement the PSMA and complementary tools that aim to combat IUU fishing.
FAO has so far helped more than 50 countries review their legislation, strengthen their institutional capacity, improve their monitoring, control and surveillance systems and operations, effectively implement port state measures and fulfill their international responsibilities as flag, coastal and market states.
100 States endorse FAO Agreement on Port State Measures
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