4 August 2015
FAO: Ratification of Agreement on IUU Fishing Gains Momentum
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The ‘Agreement on Port States Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing' is moving closer to entering into force, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

The agreement aims to address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by strengthening control procedures and inspections at ports and on vessels.

It will enable improved compliance with the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which promotes long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.

fao_headquarters30 July 2015: The ‘Agreement on Port States Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing’ is moving closer to entering into force, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). The agreement aims to address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by strengthening control procedures and inspections at ports and on vessels. It will enable improved compliance with the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which promotes long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.

Illicit fishing catches, including the harvesting of protected species, using outlawed fishing gear, violating quota limits and operating without authorization, account for more than 15% of global fishing output or more than 26 million tonnes of seafood annually, according to FAO. The agency also notes that IUU fishing impacts the management of fish stocks and strips between US$10-23 billion from the global economy.

The Agreement aims to address these problems by “[harmonizing] port controls in order to prevent illegally caught fish from ever entering international markets through ports,” explained FAO’s Development Law Service Chief, Blaise Kuemlangan. He said the agreement will decrease IUU fishing globally by increasing the ability to turn away vessels taking part in illegal fishing, which in turn will greatly reduce opportunities for selling their catch.

Iceland became the 12th country to ratify the agreement in June 2015. The agreement will enter into force when 25 countries deposit their acceptance of accession documents. In addition to Iceland, Chile, the European Union (EU), Gabon, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Uruguay have completed the ratification process.

FAO has convened workshops around the world to build countries’ capacities to implement the agreement. The sixth workshop in the series, funded by the Government of Norway, convened in Cabo Verde with participants from 16 African coastal countries and the EU as well as international fisheries commissions and international organizations with a focus on Africa’s Atlantic coast. Several African countries are close to completing the ratification process, according to FAO. [UN Press Release] [FAO Press Release] [Port State Measures Agreement]

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