Global action to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has intensified, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the United Nations body noting that 100 states have now signed on to the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA).
PSMA is the first internationally binding instrument specifically designed to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing by denying port access to foreign vessels that engage in or support such practices.
“Rising consumer demand and transforming agrifood systems in fisheries and aquaculture have driven global fish production to its highest levels and there is broad recognition of the need to step up the fight against IUU fishing,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said.
It’s now estimated that one in every five fish caught around the world each year originates from IUU fishing. However, with Angola, Eritrea, Morocco, and Nigeria being the latest countries to back the agreement, 60% of port states globally are now committed to the agreement to combat IUU fishing.
“It is encouraging to see more states support the PSMA in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Dongyu said.
According to FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division Director Manuel Barange countries have a responsibility to manage and use all aquatic resources sustainably, which necessitates working together to step up port controls and an adequate information exchange through implementation of the PSMA.
“This will contribute to transforming aquatic food systems and maximise their role as drivers of employment, economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability,” he said.
FAO recently launched the PSMA Global Information Exchange System (GIES), which collects and shares official compliance-related information with a focus on port inspection results, actions taken and port entry or denials.
Along with the FAO Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels, the platform supports PSMA nations, and complementary instruments aim to combat IUU fishing.
To-date, FAO has assisted more than 50 countries in reviewing their legislation; strengthening their institutional capacity; and improving their monitoring, control and surveillance systems and operations, to effectively implement the agreement, and fulfil their international responsibilities.
