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The FAO Workshop on Implementing the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (the Agreement) that was held at the Four Points Hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay, from 29 September to 3 October 2014.

The workshop focused on the implementation of the Agreement from the policy, legal, institutional, capacity development, and operations standpoints. Following a short introduction, participants were briefed on the status of the Agreement in the Latin American and Caribbean region and were informed that two countries of this region, namely Chile and Uruguay, had already ratified the Agreement.

The need to implement the Agreement, both at the global and the regional levels, was stressed. Key provisions for the implementation of the Agreement were highlighted at the workshop along with the role of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) in supporting implementation of port State measures. The questionnaire that had been distributed to participating countries in advance of the workshop, with the purpose of improving their understanding of present practices, procedures and legal frameworks of countries in the region on port State measures, was analysed to ensure that recommendations to be made for the region were based on a sound knowledge basis.

The role of fisheries managers and inspectors in implementing the Agreement was also highlighted. Participatory activities in working groups were conducted which led to the formulation of recommendations both at the regional and national levels. Opportunities for regional cooperation among countries were also addressed. The evaluation of the workshop by the participants was positive. Funding for the workshop was provided by the Norwegian Government through the project "Support to the effective application of 2009 FAO Agreement on port State measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing" (GCP/GLO/515/NOR).

Access the document here.