- Port State measures are the front line of attack against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, whether it occurs in waters under national jurisdiction or the high seas.
- Implementation of these measures by all port states, using minimum standards agreed at global and regional levels, is of vital importance for the sustainability of the tuna and other fisheries resources occurring in all marine areas.
Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA)
- The Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) is the first binding international agreement to specifically target IUU fishing.
- Its main objective is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches.
- In this way, the agreement reduces the incentive of such vessels to continue to operate while it also blocks fishery products derived from IUU fishing from reaching national and
international markets. - The effective implementation of the Agreement ultimately contributes to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems.
- The provisions of the PSMA apply to fishing vessels seeking entry into a designated port of a State which is different to their flag State.
Ratification and Accession Countries in ASEAN
Since FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) was initiated. Presently, There are six (6) AMSs ratification and accession for the FAO PSMA. These are Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
