Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

The Parties to this Agreement,

Deeply concerned about the continuation of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and its detrimental effect upon fish stocks, marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of legitimate fishers, and the increasing need for food security on a global basis,

Conscious of the role of the port State in the adoption of effective measures to promote the sustainable use and the long-term conservation of living marine resources,

Recognizing that measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing should build on the primary responsibility of flag States and use all available jurisdiction in accordance with international law, including port State measures, coastal State measures, market related measures and measures to ensure that nationals do not support or engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,

Recognizing that port State measures provide a powerful and cost-effective means of preventing, deterring and eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,

Aware of the need for increasing coordination at the regional and interregional levels to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through port State measures,

Acknowledging the rapidly developing communications technology, databases, networks and global records that support port State measures,

Recognizing the need for assistance to developing countries to adopt and implement port State measures,

Taking note of the calls by the international community through the United Nations System, including the United Nations General Assembly and the Committee on Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, hereinafter referred to as ‘FAO', for a binding international instrument on minimum standards for port State measures, based on the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and the 2005 FAO Model Scheme on Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing,

Bearingin mind that, in the exercise of their sovereignty over ports located in their territory, States may adopt more stringent measures, in accordance with international law,

Recalling the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Convention',

Recalling the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 December 1995, the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas of 24 November 1993 and the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,

Recognizing the need to conclude an international agreement within the framework of FAO, under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution,

Have agreed as follows on port State measures.