The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has taken a significant step in the fight against illegal fishing by ratifying the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. The Nitijela, the legislative body of the RMI, passed Resolution No: 13 on April 12, 2024, approving the ratification.
The Agreement on Port State Measures, the PSMA, is the first binding international agreement specifically targeting IUU fishing. Its objective is to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in such activities from using ports and landing their catches. By doing so, the PSMA reduces the incentive for these vessels to continue operating and blocks the entry of fishery products derived from IUU fishing into national and international markets.
Majuro is the most important tuna transhipment port in the world. As such, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA), supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT), has been actively implementing Port State Measures (PSM) best practices since 2018, as a direct result, in 2023, the International MCS Network Organization presented MIMRA with the “Stop IUU Fishing Meritorious Achievement Award”. A complete description of its PSM system is available at MIMRA’s website www.rmimimra.com/index.php/port-entry.
‘MIMRA’s capacity was progressively developed under the guiding principle “act first, formalise later.” This strategy facilitated the establishment of critical systems and procedures that were required not only to fulfil but exceed the requirements of the agreement,’ said Beau Bigler, Chief Fisheries Officer – Oceanic Division
RMI intends to combat IUU fishing through its own IUU-Free Pacific project, which aims to eradicate IUU fishing from the Pacific by 2023. RMI’s accession to the FAO PSMA further demonstrates its commitment and regional leadership in fully implementing measures to combat IUU fishing in the WCPO.
The practical implementation of the PSMA will contribute to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems. It will also strengthen the RMI’s efforts to protect its fisheries and ensure its marine resources’ economic and environmental sustainability.
The ratification process, as outlined in Article 26 of the PSMA, requires the signatories to deposit their ratification, acceptance, or approval instruments with the Depositary at FAO headquarters in Rome.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands urges other nations to ratify and implement the PSMA and fight IUU fishing. Together, with strength through cooperation, we can safeguard our oceans and ensure the future of our marine ecosystems.
Image: @franciscoblaha
