The electronic Port State Measures (e-PSM) system of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is the second e-PSMA to be automatically transferring data into the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) Global Information Exchange System (GIES).
Tonga is the first FFA member, Party to PSMA, to transfer port inspection reports into the GIES as a result of this automatic connection. Other FFA members, parties to the PSMA, that are users of the FFA e-PSM system will soon follow.
The FFA e-PSM was officially launched at the FFA 27th regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance Working Group meeting in March of 2024 and is in operation as of 3rd April this year, which connection follows that of IOTC e-PSM in January 2025.
The GIES is an information tool which enhances the effectiveness of the PSMA by facilitating the transfer of confidential information securely among relevant entities, including reports of inspections carried out on relevant vessels. The GIES supports risk analysis States carry out when a foreign vessel seeks to enter its ports or to use its port services.
The PSMA GIES was released by the PSMA Secretariat in December 2023 and currently hosts more than 2800 inspection reports exchanged between States. The GIES has recently added new features to strengthen the global fight against IUU fishing including the supplementary transshipment and landing declarations, direct and secure communication channel (chat function) and the Advance Request for Port Entry (ARPE).
The PSMA Secretariat is working with other regional fishery bodies whose Contracting Parties have expressed interest in connecting the regional electronic systems to the PSMA GIES, allowing an even stronger exchange of information to assist Parties in closing their ports to IUU fishing.
The PSMA, which entered into force in 2016, is the first binding international agreement specifically designed to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by denying entry into and use of port to foreign vessels engaging in such illicit practices. It is a key instrument to block fish products derived from IUU fishing from entering international markets. It is also the Agreement with the highest rate of adherence so far, of all international fisheries and ocean instruments, with 82 Parties representing 108 States.
