All 131 countries attending a high level FAO meeting on world fisheries in Rome agreed to start a process leading to the adoption of a legally binding international agreement establishing control measures in ports where fish is landed, transhipped or processed in order to combat illegal fishing. The decision came during the 27th meeting of FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI).
Additional consultations will be held in 2007 and 2008 to generate a draft version of the agreement, which will then be presented to COFI for final approval at the body’s next meeting in 2009.
The proposed agreement will be based on a voluntary FAO model scheme which outlines recommended ‘Port State’ control measures.
Port state controls include measures such as running background checks on boats prior to granting docking privileges and undertaking inspections in port to check documentation, cargos and equipment. They are widely viewed as one of the best ways to fight illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing (IUU).
FAO’s model scheme on port state controls also recommends training inspectors to increase their effectiveness and improving international information sharing about vessels with a history of IUU activity in order to help authorities turn away repeat offenders.
Other issues discussed during the meeting included responsible fish trade; the importance of the aquaculture sector and the need for its sustainable growth in a responsible manner; social problems adversely affecting fishing communities, such as illness and poverty; the implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries; and the strengthening of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) and regional fishery bodies (RFBs).
