EU hosts meeting on the Port State Measures Agreement to reinforce the global fight against illegal fishing

The PSMA is the first binding international agreement targeting specifically illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Commissioner Sinkevičius will open the high level event together with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu as a sign of the joint determination of the EU and FAO to promote this important agreement and to ensure its full implementation. The opening will be followed by the meeting of the parties and consultations at technical level.

PSMA seeks to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing through the adoption and implementation of effective port state measures. By regulating how fishing and fishing related vessels can accede and use ports of countries being parties to the PSMA as well as their rights and obligations, the agreement reduces opportunities to land and introduce into markets products stemming from IUU fishing. The agreement contributes to promote compliance and long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems.

The agreement was negotiated in the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) of which the EU is a member. It was adopted in 2009 and entered into force in 2016. The EU was one of the first parties to ratify the agreement, and has consistently promoted its ratification and implementation by the largest number of countries. Nowadays, the agreement counts 69 parties, and the coming meeting will be the first review of the implementation of the agreement since its entry into force half a decade ago.

By hosting and chairing this third meeting of the parties, the EU demonstrates its unwavering commitment to multilateral cooperation and reinforces its zero tolerance policy towards IUU fishing.

Follow the opening speeches of the PSMA on Monday 31/5, 9.00-11.00 CEST