The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held an event to celebrate the world’s first international treaty specifically aimed at tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing on 11 July 2016 in Rome.
At this event Thailand received FAO’s in recognition of the Kingdom of Thailand for its commitment to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems by becoming a party to the Port State Measures Agreement to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (PSMA)
H.E. Mr. Tana Weskosith, the Thai Ambassador to Italy, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, received the recognition document from H.E. Mr. José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the FAO. The accession to the PSMA underlies the commitment of the Royal Thai Government to comply with the international legal standard on combating IUU fishing and to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources. The accession is another milestone for Thailand as the Government continues to advance a comprehensive fisheries reform. It will also provide a critical momentum for the PSMA to enter into force, marking a major step in the international community’s joint effort to combat IUU fishing.
Port State Measures Agreement went into force on 5 June 2016 and more than 30 nations inculding Thailand as well the European Union on behalf of its 28 members have acceded to the treaty. More countries have initiated the accession process.
The PSMA treaty, shepherded by FAO since 2009, requires foreign vessels to submit to inspections at any port of call and for port states to share information on violations. An improvement on prior rules requiring countries to control the activities of their own fishing fleets, the new agreement is designed to raise the cost of IUU fishing as it blocks improperly caught fish from being brought to land and entering markets.
See Press Release on Thailand accedes to the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures
Panalee Choosri
