New Zealand’s government announced it has ratified the Port State Measures Agreement aimed at fighting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.
The country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy explained that the measure, promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), sets standards for port accessing by foreign flagged fishing vessels and related support vessels.
In other words, the ratification of the agreement aims at preventing illegal fishers from using New Zealand’s ports.
According to the Agreement, foreign vessels would have to give advance notice and request permission to enter ports, and member countries would conduct inspections to ensure that standards are met.
“For New Zealand, it will mean our fishers can operate in high value international fisheries with less threat of IUU fishers, while ensuring sustainability of our oceans,” Guy stressed.
Both officials pointed out that New Zealand has become the ninth country to ratify the international agreement.
This ruling will enter into force after 25 countries sign it.
“Supporting an international framework that enables long-term sustainable use of fisheries resources is important for New Zealand,” Minister Guy said.
Widespread application of his practice will turn each time more difficult and less profitable to carry out IUU fishing worldwide.
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