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Image: FOA / FIS
Seafood sector leaders urge government action to close the net on illegal fishing in the Pacific
(WORLDWIDE, 5/18/2023)
Groups working with over 150 companies call for collective efforts in advance of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
Each year, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing strips an estimated $26-50 billion USD from the global economy. Accounting for one in every five fish caught around the world, IUU fishing undermines sustainable fisheries management and the livelihoods of fishers who are playing by the rules. Governments have agreed on a robust set of measures to end IUU fishing. In a statement out this week, a coalition of leaders in the seafood sector call on governments to turn those commitments into action, and reaffirmed their 2021 statement on traceability and port state measures.
Photo: ISSF
Members of the coalition—the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI), Global Tuna Alliance (GTA), International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), Sea Pact and Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS) —are working with their supply chain partners to identify and combat IUU fishing. These efforts are hindered, however, by the failure of governments to provide basic information about the identities and activities of vessels in their fleets. Governments must do their part by sharing the information that both companies and other governments need to identify vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and establishing robust port controls that prevent those vessels from unloading and selling their catch.
Fortunately, there are already mechanisms by which governments can take action. The Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), for instance, is a binding international agreement that works to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels fishing illegally from entering ports and landing their catch. Since entering into force in 2016, 74 States and the European Union are now Parties to the Agreement.
 “By ratifying the PSMA, governments send a powerful message that they are committed to safeguarding our ocean and protecting the livelihoods of those who depend on sustainable fisheries,” said Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of Friends of Ocean Action. “Now, we need robust, coordinated, and consistent implementation of the PSMA to achieve the Agreement’s goals. Regional cooperation, in particular, can be a key strategy to deter those who exploit marine fisheries unlawfully.”
Specifically, the coalition recognizes the significant opportunities for action in Pacific waters, particularly among the economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). With 21 member economies representing over 60% of global GDP, APEC holds immense potential to drive change in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Currently, 14 APEC Economies have ratified the PSMA, and China has expressed its intention to do so by 2025. By uniting their efforts, these countries can affect change at a scale that ensures regional fisheries management organizations and all ports are equipped with the necessary tools and resources to effectively implement the PSMA.
The statement highlights specific actions that APEC nations can take. These actions include sharing vessel and port information through established global and regional platforms, as well as collaborating with regional fisheries management organizations to operationalize consistent Port State Measures across the Pacific.
The upcoming G7 Hiroshima Summit in Japan, taking place next week, serves as a significant opportunity to initiate a dialogue. Regional coordination, strong commitments to transparency and Port State Measures, and efforts by the seafood sector can help eliminate illegal fishing from the Pacific.
Source: Friends of Ocean Action
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