FAO assists Mauritania to analyse its needs to implement the PSMA
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is currently conducting a needs assessment workshop in Mauritania as part of the country’s analysis of its frameworks and procedures to effectively implement the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing (PSMA). Mauritania is Party to the PSMA since 2017.
Twenty-five participants from various authorities in the country, including the Fisheries department, the coastguard, and other stakeholders, are currently participating in this consultative workshop, which is held in Nouakchott between 12 and the 16 September.
The needs assessment workshop is an important step, under FAO’s Global Capacity Development Programme, through which national authorities involved in the fight against IUU fishing and FAO experts take a closer look at the alignment of national policy, legal, and institutional frameworks and operational procedures, with the PSMA and complementary international instruments to combat IUU fishing. By analysing such needs, Mauritania will be in a better position to fulfil its international obligations as a flag State, port State, coastal State, and market State. Based on the identified gaps and corresponding activities, a National Strategy and roadmap will be developed and will be endorsed by the national authority.
The needs assessment workshop was originally planned for March 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions. The workshop is funded by the Government of Sweden under the project GCP/INT/313/SWE.