The US (finally!) ratifies the FAO Port State Measures Agreement / by Francisco Blaha

The treaty, which the United Nations adopted in 2009, applies to foreign-flagged vessels calling on ports in any country that is a party to the agreement. Under its provisions, port officials who conclude that a vessel has a known or suspected record of illegal fishing would turn away the vessel or subject it to immediate inspection. If there is evidence of illegal catch, port officials would prohibit the landing of the catch. They also would alert other ports to the situation and could deny the vessel permission to refuel or receive repairs.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and especially Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), ranking member Bob Corker (R-TN), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), for moving the PSMA through the Senate.

Next step is to pass the Pirate Fishing Elimination Act—the implementing language for the PSMA—to ensure that the agreement enters into force in a timely manner.

The PSMA will take effect once 25 parties ratify it; the United States is the 11th party to do so, joining nine other countries and the European Union.