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In the early 1990s, the international community moved to place emphasis on the use of port State measures as a fisheries management tool. This was because port State measures were seen as a costeffective and efficient means to curb and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It was recognized that using such measures could contribute towards promoting long-term sustainability in fisheries as called for by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and other important global and regional fora including the United Nations General Assembly, FAO Committee on Fisheries, FAO Council and FAO Conference and regional fishery bodies including regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements.

This publication commences by tracing the development of port State measures as a fisheries management tool through a review of a number of internationally important instruments. This is followed by a discussion of the process for the conclusion of the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. The structure, examination and analysis of the Agreement are then addressed. Policy, legal and operational checklists for the implementation of the Agreement are presented, followed by a review of capacity development and requirements of developing countries in relation to port State measures. Concerns and challenges to the implementation of the Agreement are highlighted prior to the conclusions. The appendixes to the Circular provide important reference materials related to port State measures.

This publication is not intended to be a definitive study on port State measures. Rather, it has been developed specifically to support FAO’s capacity-development efforts in port State measures and, as appropriate, to be used as a reference tool for fisheries practitioners and students.

Access the document here.