By joining a key UN treaty, the world’s largest fishing nation signals serious intent to crack down on illicit seafood trade
In a significant milestone for the global fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, China—the nation with the world’s largest fishing fleet—has officially joined the United Nations Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA). This landmark treaty is the first legally binding international accord specifically designed to combat IUU fishing and prevent illegally caught seafood from entering global markets.
As reported by Elaine Young from The Pew Charitable Trusts, China’s decision to join the PSMA sends a powerful signal: it is ready to assume a greater leadership role in global fisheries governance and strengthen oversight across its vast fishing operations.
The PSMA, administered by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), came into force in 2016. It requires port states to implement rigorous controls—such as vessel inspections and documentation checks—to ensure that only legally caught fish can be landed and traded. IUU fishing is a massive global problem, valued at up to $23 billion annually, and is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 wild-caught fish worldwide, according to the FAO. Beyond undermining lawful fishers, it damages marine ecosystems, violates labor standards, and robs coastal communities of food and income.
China’s Role: From Risk to Responsibility
China has long been at the center of global fisheries discussions—its ports are among the busiest in the world, and its distant-water fleet is unmatched in scale. Research commissioned by Pew ranked China’s ports among the top 10 globally for fishing and carrier vessel visits, while also identifying it as a high-risk country in terms of its capacity to prevent IUU fishing due to historically low governance.
While PSMA implementation primarily targets foreign vessels entering a country’s ports, the treaty also obliges signatories to investigate and penalize their own vessels when illegal activity is suspected. This aspect is particularly crucial for China, where over 99% of port visits are by domestic vessels, including those returning from distant waters.
If China applies the same scrutiny to its domestic fleet as it does to foreign-flagged vessels, it could transform enforcement standards worldwide—closing a major loophole often exploited by illegal operators who avoid foreign ports to dodge inspections.
Building on the Momentum
China has an opportunity to go even further. By actively participating in the Global Information Exchange System, a platform for real-time data sharing among PSMA members, it can boost international cooperation and improve its own risk assessments. Domestically, coordination between key ministries—fisheries, transport, and customs—will be essential for fully implementing PSMA provisions, from designating compliant ports to training inspection personnel.
Initial steps have already been taken as part of the accession process, but China can now build on that groundwork by standardizing internal procedures, streamlining inter-agency communication, and scaling up capacity.
A New Era for Fisheries Governance
China’s accession to the PSMA is more than symbolic—it’s a pivotal development in efforts to restore declining global fish stocks and protect marine ecosystems. With the right implementation, China’s influence and scale can help shift global fisheries toward greater transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
As Elaine Young of The Pew Charitable Trusts concludes, China’s commitment to combatting IUU fishing has the potential to reshape the future of seafood supply chains—and safeguard the ocean for generations to come.
While PSMA implementation primarily targets foreign vessels entering a country’s ports, the treaty also obliges signatories to investigate and penalize their own vessels when illegal activity is suspected. This aspect is particularly crucial for China, where over 99% of port visits are by domestic vessels, including those returning from distant waters..png)
China has an opportunity to go even further. By actively participating in the Global Information Exchange System, a platform for real-time data sharing among PSMA members, it can boost international cooperation and improve its own risk assessments. Domestically, coordination between key ministries—fisheries, transport, and customs—will be essential for fully implementing PSMA provisions, from designating compliant ports to training inspection personnel.
China’s accession to the PSMA is more than symbolic—it’s a pivotal development in efforts to restore declining global fish stocks and protect marine ecosystems. With the right implementation, China’s influence and scale can help shift global fisheries toward greater transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
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