FAO Agreement on Port State Measures binding international law as of today

Figure: A fisheries worker unloading the morning's catch.

FAO 5 June 2016, Rome - A groundbreaking international accord aimed at stamping out illegal fishing went into effect today and is now legally binding for the 29 countries and a regional organization that have adhered to it.

The Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) - adopted as an FAO Agreement in 2009 after a years-long diplomatic effort - is the first ever binding international treaty that focuses specifically on illicit fishing.

The threshold to activation of the treaty- official adherence by at least 25 countries - was surpassed last month, triggering a 30-day countdown to today's entry-into-force.

"This is a great day in the continuing effort to build sustainable fisheries that can help feed the world," said FAO Director-General Graziano da Silva. "We hail those countries that have already signed on to the agreement and who will begin implementing it as of today. We invite governments who have yet to do so, to join the collective push to stamp out illegal fishing and safeguard the future of our ocean resources."

Currently, the parties to the PSMA are: Australia, Barbados, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, the European Union (as a member organization), Gabon, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palau, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Tonga, the United States of America, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

The Organization has been informed that additional formal instruments of acceptance of the Agreement should be received shortly.

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