ISSF 2021-09: Port State Measures in Tuna RFMOs: Benchmarking RFMO Port State Measures Against the 2009 FAO PSMA and Identifying Gaps
Date of Publication
2021 12:00 AM
Security Theme
IUU Fishing
Keywords
IUU Fishing, IUU fishing, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, Port state measures, RFMOs, Tuna, WCPFC
Description
The adoption and subsequent entry into force of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures was a ground-breaking achievement for global efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and those that support such activities. The Agreement established the framework for port States to, inter alia, seek specific information from foreign-flagged vessels seeking entry to ports under their jurisdiction, priorities for inspections of such vessels, when port entry and/or use should be denied and reporting and exchange of information among States and RFMOs. This report analyzes port State measures adopted by four of the five tuna RFMOs against the implementing principles and operating standards provisions of the PSMA. The results of the analysis identify several serious gaps in these existing tuna RFMO measures, including requirements for advance notice of port entry, denial of port entry or use, minimum inspections levels, minimum standards for training of inspectors and/or inspection reports, and the scope of the measures. This paper recommends priorities for advocacy on improving RFMO port State measures for each of the tuna RFMOs.
ISSF 2021-09: Port State Measures in Tuna RFMOs: Benchmarking RFMO Port State Measures Against the 2009 FAO PSMA and Identifying Gaps
The adoption and subsequent entry into force of the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures was a ground-breaking achievement for global efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and those that support such activities. The Agreement established the framework for port States to, inter alia, seek specific information from foreign-flagged vessels seeking entry to ports under their jurisdiction, priorities for inspections of such vessels, when port entry and/or use should be denied and reporting and exchange of information among States and RFMOs. This report analyzes port State measures adopted by four of the five tuna RFMOs against the implementing principles and operating standards provisions of the PSMA. The results of the analysis identify several serious gaps in these existing tuna RFMO measures, including requirements for advance notice of port entry, denial of port entry or use, minimum inspections levels, minimum standards for training of inspectors and/or inspection reports, and the scope of the measures. This paper recommends priorities for advocacy on improving RFMO port State measures for each of the tuna RFMOs.
